The Search for Robin Paveley: The Sunshine Coast & Noossa Pickleball Mystery

Someone, somewhere, at some time in Australia, took a paddle and a pickleball, found a badminton or tennis or similar surface and made the first sound of pickleball heard in Oz. Was it in Bribie Island, was it in Cairns, was it on the Sunshine Coast? Where the first pickleball was played and who was calling out 002 to get pickleball started in Australia are unanswered questions in Australia's Pickleball Story. Also shrouded in mystery is when it happened, and the start date ranges from 1967 to 2009.

We know the sound of Pickleball was heard in several locations in Queensland locations in 2014/2015. Brisbane, Caines, Gold Coast, Noosa and Sunshine Coast. There is a photo dated 2014 of Adele and Harry Fielding hitting a pickleball over a half net in a Barbie Island driveway. A video also exists of pickleball being played on a taped court in Noosaville in 2015.

Jennifer Lucore (author of the "History of Pickleball") was asked “By chance do you have an idea who was first to have a go at pickleball in Australia?”. Her reply: "Maybe 1967". In the summer of '67 there was a competition on the original Bainbridge Island Pickleball court. It included the words “International Tournament” in the title. The word “international" was used partly because Bill Bell (one of the three founders of Pickleball) and his family were living in Australia at the time. Did Bill Bell line a court and play pickleball in Australia in 1967? Maybe to most likely, but no comment, document or photo has been found.

Jump forward to 2010. There is proof that pickleball was in Australia by 2010. An American named Robin Paveley was involved with pickleball on the Sunshine Coast and maybe Noosa Shire but efforts to locate him for a possible interview for several years have been unsuccessful. Robin is the Sunshine Coast Pickleball Mystery Man. Most likely he is not currently residing in Australia.

Clue 1: A document exists that shows in 2010 Robin sold wood paddles, pickleballs and nets to Vivian Wollstein who manages Kawana Indoor Sports, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Vivian said, “Once the gear arrived we did have a few players try it out but we never started pickleball as a competition". Vivian met Robin on one occasion and he told her, “Once pickleball gets started in Australia it will explode". Robin added, "Pickleball is HUGE in the U.S. and it’s something that can be played by all". While in Australia it is thought Robin resided in Maroochydore.

Clue 2: Robin was doing more than providing help in purchasing pickleball gear. Halcyon Glades (Caboolture, Qld) wanted to have a pickleball tournament while they were building their dedicated pickleball court in 2015. Tracey Irwin, Halcyon Glades Community Manager was in contact with Robin Paveley. In 2015, Robin helped Tracey put together a pickleball competition at the Centenary Lakes Caboolture Badminton Courts. There were 24 participants. Trophies, medals and wine were awarded. Robin Paveley and Tracey Irwin may be responsible for holding Australia’s first pickleball mini-tournament.

Clue 3: There is an add-on mystery woven into the Robin Paveley pickleball enigma. The email address used by Robin Paveley “admin@pickleball.com.au” is of interest. The current owners of pickleball.com.au wrote that they have only owned the web domain since 2022. They have no knowledge of the previous owner(s). It is the "who owned pickleball.com.au in 2010" mystery within a mystery. Who, When and Why are questions looking for an answer.

Finally, if anyone would like to be a pickleball detective, trying to find information or a photo that could prove that Bill Bell played pickleball in Australia in 1967 or help locate Robin Paveley to help solve The Sunshine Coast Pickleball Mystery, do have a go.