Start. Develop. Advance. Compete.
A complete junior pickleball pathway for young players from their first class through to higher-level training and competitive opportunities.
Play! Pickle helps children build strong fundamentals, confidence, movement, game awareness and a lasting enjoyment of pickleball — with a clear next step available as their game develops.
From First Rally to Competition
The age groups give families a clear starting point, but progression is not based on age alone. Playing ability, commitment, coachability and readiness become increasingly important as juniors move through the pathway.
Fun, age-appropriate training that develops movement, coordination, paddle control, rallying and confidence.
Develop technique, consistency, movement, court awareness, positioning and coached match-play habits.
Higher-intensity technical, tactical and match-play development for juniors ready for focused competitive training.
Selected juniors prepare for tournaments, team matches, Junior Cup and regional competition opportunities.
Junior Elite and Singapore Team Junior are assessment and selection-based. Age ranges are guides rather than automatic progression criteria.
Where Should My Child Start?
Our youngest juniors train at Serangoon. From age 8, the main development pathway moves to Play! Pickle @ St Patrick's School.
Junior Development
A fun and structured introduction to pickleball for younger children. Sessions use age-appropriate drills and games to build movement, coordination, paddle skills and confidence on court.
Junior Development
The next stage of junior training, with greater emphasis on technical consistency, movement, tactical awareness, doubles positioning and coached match play.
St Patrick's School
From age 8 onwards, St Patrick's School is the main home of the Play! Pickle junior development and performance pathway.
The three sheltered courts give our junior players space for structured coaching, match play, Junior Elite training, Team Junior development and competition preparation.
Address: St Patrick's School, 490 East Coast Road, Singapore 429058.
Advance & Compete
Stronger juniors can progress into more focused performance training. Entry is based on readiness, playing level, commitment and coach assessment.
Junior Elite
Ages 10–14 · St Patrick's SchoolJunior Elite is for developing players with solid fundamentals who are ready for more intensive technical, tactical and competitive training.
- Technical consistency
- Singles and doubles strategy
- Movement patterns
- Shot selection
- Pressure play
- Coached match play
- Tournament preparation
Entry is subject to coach assessment.
Singapore Team Junior
Ages 12–17 · St Patrick's SchoolSingapore Team Junior is the competitive stage of our pathway for selected juniors ready to train towards tournaments, team events and regional competition opportunities.
- Higher-level team training
- Competitive match play
- Tournament preparation
- Junior team friendlies
- Junior Cup opportunities
- Regional competition exposure
- Potential overseas competition opportunities
Selection is based on ability, readiness, commitment, attitude and coach assessment.
How Players Move Up the Pathway
Age provides a guide, but progression into Junior Elite and Singapore Team Junior depends on the player's development and competitive readiness.
What We Want Juniors to Develop
Play! Pickle Junior Cup
Competition gives juniors a chance to put their training into practice.
The Play! Pickle Junior Cup gives young players opportunities to experience match play, tournament routines and competitive pressure in an age-appropriate environment.
Tournament play also helps coaches assess match awareness, decision-making and readiness for the next stage of development.
Competition Opportunities
Selected juniors may receive opportunities to compete beyond regular training. Participation depends on playing level, readiness, event suitability and selection.
Other Kids & Junior Programmes
Weekly development isn't the only way to get on court. Families can also choose private coaching, school-holiday programmes and junior competition.
Kids Private Lessons
Personalised coaching for children who want individual attention or focused work on specific parts of their game.
View Kids Private Lessons →
Kids Holiday Camps
Multi-day school-holiday programmes combining coaching, games, movement, teamwork and plenty of time on court.
View Holiday Camps →
Play! Pickle Junior Cup
Junior tournament experience for young players ready to test their skills in real match play.
View Junior Cup →Support for Selected Players
Play! Pickle may provide additional support to selected competitive juniors based on player potential, commitment, attitude and available programme resources.
Support is not automatic and may vary according to player circumstances, programme resources and available partnerships.
Better Players. Better Teammates.
Playing ability matters, but junior development is also about building positive habits and character through sport.
A Pathway Without the Pressure
Not every child needs to become a competitive player. The pathway is there for juniors who want to progress, while every stage should remain positive, age-appropriate and enjoyable.
Our aim is to help children become better players while also developing confidence, resilience, teamwork and good sporting habits.
Play a Junior Friendly in Singapore
We welcome opportunities to host visiting junior teams for friendly matches, team exchanges and shared competition experiences.
These exchanges give young players the chance to compete, connect and learn from juniors from different programmes and countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child is 5 to 8. Which programme should they join?
Junior Development for ages 5–8 is held at Play! Pickle Serangoon every Sunday from 3 PM to 4 PM.
My child is 8 to 12. Which programme should they join?
Junior Development for ages 8–12 is held at Play! Pickle @ St Patrick's School every Saturday from 2 PM to 3 PM.
The fee is $240 for four classes or $65 for a drop-in class.
What age is Junior Elite for?
Junior Elite is primarily for players aged 10–14 who are ready for more focused technical, tactical and match-play training.
Can anyone join Junior Elite?
Junior Elite is assessment-based. Coaches consider playing level, consistency, attitude, coachability and readiness for higher-intensity training.
What is Singapore Team Junior?
Singapore Team Junior is the competitive stage of the Play! Pickle junior pathway, primarily for selected players aged 12–17.
Does my child need to follow the age bands exactly?
No. The age bands are guides. Development differs from player to player, and progression into Junior Elite and Singapore Team Junior is based on readiness as well as age.
Where are Junior Elite and Singapore Team Junior based?
Both are based at Play! Pickle @ St Patrick's School, 490 East Coast Road, Singapore 429058.
Can my child take private lessons instead?
Yes. Kids Private Lessons provide personalised coaching for complete beginners, developing players and juniors who want additional focused practice.
Do you run school-holiday programmes?
Yes. Play! Pickle runs Kids Holiday Camps during selected school-holiday periods.
Do you run junior tournaments?
Yes. The Play! Pickle Junior Cup gives young players an opportunity to gain structured tournament and match-play experience.
Does every Team Junior player compete overseas?
No. Overseas opportunities depend on player readiness, event suitability, team selection, travel availability and programme resources.
Is player support or sponsorship guaranteed?
No. Additional support may be offered to selected juniors depending on potential, commitment, attitude and available programme resources or partnerships.
Start. Develop. Advance. Compete.
From a child's first class at Serangoon to Junior Development, Junior Elite and competitive training at St Patrick's School, Play! Pickle offers a pathway that can grow with them.