By Chris Beaumont, Editor-in-Chief
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On February 23, 2026, the Austrian pickleball community celebrated a major milestone in Vienna with the kickoff of “She Plays Pickleball,” an innovative project dedicated to developing targeted offers for women aged 50 and over. Held at Das Packhaus, the event successfully transformed the venue into a vibrant meeting point for locals, representatives from senior women’s clubs, and coordinators from the City of Vienna.
The initiative is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS), with a central mission to promote equality, health, and social participation through movement. But the project’s ambitions go far beyond casual play; the goal is to establish regular playing opportunities across the country, train new female coaches, and encourage more women to take on board roles within member clubs.
At the kickoff event, attendees didn’t just listen to theoretical presentations—they picked up paddles and jumped right into the action. To demonstrate that the sport can be played indoors or outdoors on almost any hard surface, organisers set up a small 4×6 meter “kitchen court,” proving that the game has virtually no barriers to entry. National team player Helmut Hübsch spent the evening rallying with guests and teaching them the fundamentals in a relaxed, laughter-filled atmosphere. Project coordinator Peter Robic answered questions and motivated everyone to join in, while PFA board members Maureen Tan and Alex Rieck were also on-site to lend their support.
Robic expressed immense pride in the initiative, noting the authentic connection the federation has with its target audience. “Three out of five PFA board members are women, and two of them are 50+ themselves,” Robic explained. “We want to specifically reach this important demographic group and get them excited about pickleball – the best game in the world!”.
Looking ahead, “She Plays Pickleball” is actively seeking partnerships and sponsors to ensure its nationwide success. While three member clubs of the Pickleball Federation Austria are already supporting the project, the PFA is calling on businesses, municipalities, PE teachers, seniors’ clubs, and sports facility operators to collaborate and provide available spaces for the growing sport.
Because the game is easy to learn and gentle on the joints, pickleball is proving to be the perfect catalyst for empowering senior women in Austrian sport.
