Angus the new home of bizarre sport named after pup Pickles

Centre to hold free drop-in sessions for game with ‘kitchen’ court

A sport named after a dog, with a “kitchen” in the middle of the playing field, is coming to Tayside.

Pickleball is a mix between tennis, racquetball and ping-pong and has been described as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.

It is a central-net, rebound game played with a ball and paddle, and was invented in the USA more than 50 years ago by a family – who named it after their dog Pickles.

The US hold organised competitions at local, state and national levels.

Now several countries around the world have started their own clubs and are engaged in building their national associations.

Free drop-in sessions are to be held at Forfar Indoor Sports in June, with experienced players from Pickleball Scotland on hand to coach.

Mike Ferguson, Forfar Indoor Sports managing director, said: “Depending on the popularity we are hoping to start a Forfar Pickleball Club with leagues played during the day and evenings to accommodate as many players as possible.”

Players use special paddles and a wiffle ball, and games take place on tennis courts with pickleball lines.

Nets and court sizes are smaller than their tennis counterparts, and the most common game is doubles.

During a pickleball match, it’s probable someone will shout: “Stay out of the kitchen!”

The kitchen is the small area of the pickleball court that’s located seven feet in front of the net.

No volleying is permitted within the kitchen. This rule prevents players from executing smashes from a position within the zone.

The first free drop-in sessions in Forfar are being held on June 4 and 6 from 7-9pm.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the world.