Meet our Committee
Our new President, Darren, has been part of the club and on the committee for as long as it’s been running. As one of the club’s picklers who is still part of the workforce, Darren hosts and plays in evening sessions and enjoys both the social and competitive side of the game. With lots of new sessions and ideas for the club currently in progress and on the drawing board, Darren’s enjoying leading the new committee and looks forward to a great year ahead for the Torquay club!
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Stephen has been a passionate pickleballer for over 12 months and is an integral member of the Torquay club and its coordination. He’s experienced at working with large groups of people to achieve a healthy culture in organisations and he’s now putting this great expertise to good use in the smooth running of our pickleball club. He’s a hands-on operator who loves to support hosts in facilitating the sessions and is excited about growing the club to offer fun and challenging games to the Surf Coast community.
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Trevor has been a pillar of the club over the past three years and is continuing in his role of Treasurer (as well as doing a vast range of other duties) for the coming year. He has been working hard behind the scenes these past months, tightening up the club's systems, so here's hoping he can get back to playing more pickleball! Trevor lives in Jan Juc but heads off for the winter months to the Sunny Coast where he also plays pickleball and golf (which he is equally good at). He is known for his blistering serves on the pickleball court, and if you get one back, you are doing well!
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Our new club Secretary Steph admits that she has become a pickleball tragic over the last two years following many years of playing tennis and says the transition (to pickleball) has been easy. She has previously worked on tennis committees and also has a working administration history under her belt, so brings these great skills to her role with the club.
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Peter Kelly
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Carmel Sanderson
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Nola McAlister
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Pete came from a tennis background, and a friend introduced him to pickleball in early 2024. He instantly loved the game and joined the Torquay club. He says, for him the attraction of the sport lies in its accessibility, social connection and physical activity. Pete’s looking forward to working with the other committee and club members to introduce new players to the club and help drive the development of pickleball within our local region.
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When it comes to pickleball rallies, Carmel never lets her opponents off lightly (so if you haven’t met her on the court yet, get ready!) As well as loving playing pickleball, she also enjoys reading, gardening and badminton. Carmel has been retired for five years, she lives in Grovedale and has three children and five and a half grandchildren (the latest is just a few months away). Carmel’s role on the committee includes being involved in assisting beginners in their pickleball journey and looking after the club’s equipment.
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Since starting her pickleball journey two years ago, Nola has become a very enthusiastic pickler and loves the game. When she's not on the court she enjoys reading and Pilates as well as singing in a Geelong choir and playing the ukulele. She's also got the cutest (and very bossy!) pug called Winnie. Nola's role on the committee includes working in the team that will be helping to coordinate players' pathways and progress in the club.
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Taz Bock
Along with loving her pickleball, Taz is “Mum” to dogs Minkie and Prince William who are her constant companions, including when she’s travelling around Australia in her van! She enjoys riding her e-bikes and has a son who was a guest judge on Masterchef (but Taz says, don’t ask her for recipes as she herself is no cook!) Taz's skills are vast in business and she is putting these skills to good use in our club. She has created this website, created and is one of the instructors at the Learners Skills Sessions and updates the clubs Facebook page. She has been working closely with Trevor and Stephen in helping to develop more streamline processes behind the scenes on various programs for the club.
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Andy Butson
Since being introduced to pickleball last year, Andy has played on and off while working and attending to family matters and admits she’s now totally pickled! As well as helping with hosting at the club and being a new committee member involved with membership of new players, Andy loves playing in tournaments and has already won some medals! Andy is pleased to be a part of an inclusive sport and club which facilitates and influences people's lives in a positive way. And if you find more than one Butson booked in on Spond for a session, don’t be surprised! Andy’s whole family are active members of the Torquay Pickleball clan.
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