How Pickleball Manningham Secured a Sixth Venue at The Summit, Forest Hill

As one of Victoria’s fastest-growing pickleball clubs, Pickleball Manningham has learned that securing new venues is less about waiting for opportunities - and more about actively creating them.

With close to 750 members and more than 45 weekly sessions across Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs, the club is constantly seeking new locations to meet growing demand and ensure players have regular access to courts.

“Our approach is simple,” said the committee. “We actively explore local facilities - basketball stadiums, leisure centres and schools - and start conversations with operators about how pickleball can complement their existing programming.”

This proactive approach has been key to the club’s expansion. Earlier this year, it led to the introduction of sessions at Mullum Mullum Stadium, which quickly became a popular addition to the weekly schedule.

The same approach ultimately led to one of the club’s most exciting opportunities to date.

In January 2026, members of Pickleball Manningham noticed a new stadium under construction at Forest Hill - The Summit Sports Complex, being developed and operated by Nunawading Basketball. Recognising the potential of the facility, the club reached out early to explore whether there were opportunities to utilise the courts during off-peak basketball times.

The Summit represents a significant investment by Nunawading Basketball into the future of sport and community participation in Melbourne’s east. Designed as a modern, multi-purpose venue within Forest Hill Chase, the facility brings together basketball, community programs, events and recreational activity in a highly accessible location.

For Pickleball Manningham, the alignment was clear. By offering pickleball during times when basketball courts are underutilised, the club has been able to work collaboratively with Nunawading Basketball to activate the venue more broadly, creating additional opportunities for community participation while maximising the use of the facility.

Since that initial conversation, both organisations have worked closely to design a playing schedule that complements existing programs and delivers a high-quality experience for players. The result is a new eight-court pickleball venue located in a unique precinct that offers convenient parking, public transport access and the added benefit of retail and dining options within Forest Hill Chase.

The Forest Hill location joins Pickleball Manningham’s growing network of venues, which now includes:

• Leeds Street Sports Centre (Doncaster East)
• Manningham Templestowe Leisure Centre
• Eltham Leisure Centre
• Diamond Valley Sports & Fitness Centre (Diamond Creek)
• Mullum Mullum Stadium (Donvale)
• The Summit Sports Complex (Forest Hill)

To celebrate the opening, Pickleball Manningham ran a series of Come and Try sessions from 9 June 2026, inviting new players to experience the sport in a welcoming and inclusive environment. 

With regular 2hr sessions on offer on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:30am and 11:30am, as well as Tuesday and Saturday nights from 7pm - the new venue is expected to further strengthen access for players across the region.

Bookings for all sessions can be made via the OpenSports platform, which the club uses to manage participation and ensure a great playing experience for all members. For clubs looking to expand, the message from Pickleball Manningham is clear: be proactive, build relationships with facility operators, and look for ways pickleball can add value to existing venues.

For players, the message is even simpler - there’s never been a better time to get on court.

For more information or to book a session, visit OpenSports, follow Pickleball Manningham or check out their website at www.pickleballmanningham.com