Residents in Haverhill, Suffolk, can now try the fast-growing sport of pickleball for free as a local coaching group launches new daytime sessions. The initiative, announced on 6 February 2026, offers free trial sessions at Haverhill Leisure Centre to encourage more people to take up the game.
The coaching group is holding these sessions every Monday, 12:00–14:00, in the multi‑use sports hall on Ehringshausen Way. These lunchtime slots are specifically designed to help retirees and people who work from home stay active during the middle of the day.
Coaches will provide equipment such as paddles and balls so that new players do not need to buy their own gear to get started. The goal is to provide a low‑cost way for the community to improve fitness and join a social sports group without an initial commitment.
The move follows Abbeycroft Leisure’s rollout of pickleball at three West Suffolk sites in 2025 and local organisers say interest has exceeded early expectations. By adding daytime hours, organisers hope to make the sport a regular part of the local social scene.
Industry figures show rapid national growth: Pickleball52 reported roughly a 60% year‑on‑year increase in registered members (to 6,008) in figures published in early 2024, and other industry reports have cited growth nearer to 70–73% in 2024. Pickleball England’s regional coordinator summed up the local appeal: “Pickleball is the great equalizer in West Suffolk sports. It’s less taxing than squash but more social than a solo gym session.”
For bookings and venue details, see Haverhill Leisure Centre (Ehringshausen Way, CB9 0ER).
