Pickleball Scotland Ambassador appointed in Dornoch after successful first tournament for ‘fastest growing’ sport
One of the world’s “fastest-growing” racquet sports has a new face in Dornoch, after the town held its first ever tournament.
Luke Watson, chair of the Dornoch Area CIC, has been appointed as the far north’s first Pickleball Scotland Ambassador, with the aim of introducing more people, including junior players, to the game.
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The sport held its first tournament at the new Dornoch MUGA in September - and its new Ambassador is excited to see it continue to grow.
“Becoming a Pickleball Scotland Ambassador is something I’m particularly excited about,” he said. “Pickleball, which is the fastest-growing sport in the world, is taking off here in Scotland, and following the very successful Scottish Open which took place at the beginning of month in Glasgow, it’s expected to overtake tennis here in popularity by 2030.
“I’ve been amazed at how quickly it has grown, attracting players of all ages and abilities. It’s incredible to see the mix of people getting involved, from young to retirees, and the enthusiasm and laughter they all bring to the court.
“There’s something special about pickleball. It’s fast-paced but easy to learn, and it’s incredibly inclusive and social, which I think is why people not only try it but keep coming back for more. It really builds a sense of community, and that’s something I’m passionate about.”
Mr Watson first became aware of the sport in his role as chair of DACIC when it was introduced as one of the sporting options at the new Dornoch Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) which the CIC built and now operates.
The new facility hosted its first pickleball tournament at the end of September, with a total of eight teams competing - four from Dornoch and four from Inverness, Munlochy and Drumnadrochit.
The tournament, believed to have been the first of its kind in the Highlands, started as a round robin with each team playing 10-minute matches. After the points were tallied up, the top four teams played in the semi-finals, with the winners advancing to the finals.
Mr Watson said the Dornoch MUGA facility had been “amazingly busy” since it opened, with an average of three paid bookings a day.
He said: “The training provided by Pickleball Scotland was fantastic and as one of their Ambassadors, my goal is to introduce even more people to the sport, especially younger players, who will drive the sport forward in the future.
“I’m excited to see how the sport continues to grow in Dornoch and beyond. I believe pickleball has the potential to be a real force for good in communities, bringing people together through fun, friendly competition.
“If individuals, groups, or organisations would like to know more or arrange an introduction session they can contact me at MUGA@dacic.org.uk.”
Social pickleball sessions are held in Dornoch on Wednesday evenings under the lights at the MUGA - and Sunday mornings, with up to 20 people attending aged from 17-80, mostly from Dornoch but also from further afield.
Adult tennis coaching is offered on Thursday evenings and children’s coaching on Saturdays.
