The Hub - how it all works
How pickleball works in Australia - and where you fit in
From your first session to the professional stage: the skill levels, the competition pathway, and how every part connects.
Your DUPR rating
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the global standard for pickleball. Every player gets a number from 2.0 to 8.0 based on their results. It's how sessions, tournaments and leagues group players so you always compete at your level.
Pro / Elite
5.5+
National and international level. NPL Pro Tour players.
Advanced
4.5-5.5
Consistent shot-making, tournament-ready. NPL Division 2 eligible.
Upper intermediate
4.0-4.5
Reliable dinks, third-shot drop. Ready for round robins and local tournaments.
Intermediate
3.5-4.0
Strategy forming, rallies consistent. The largest, fastest-growing group in the game.
Lower intermediate
3.0-3.5
Comfortable with the kitchen, scoring and rallies. Open play is the vehicle.
Beginner
2.5-3.0
Learning rules and scoring. Start with a structured entry session.
Complete newcomer
2.0-2.5
No rating yet - and you don't need one to start. A Learn to Play session is the entry point.
The player journey
From your first session to the Pro Tour.
- 1
Entry session: coach-led, equipment provided, no experience required. Curiosity becomes participation.
- 2
Graded social play, rotating partners, no scoreboard. The most-attended format at every club, and the biggest feeder into rated play.
- 3Intermediate open playCoaching
DUPR 3.5-4.5. Strategy starts here - and coaching is the most impactful investment at this stage.
- 4
DUPR 4.5+. Competitive pace, tournament prep.
- 5DUPR round robinsSocial events
Officially rated games in men's, women's and mixed formats. Your rating is your passport. Find events on LADER (lader.sport).
- 6
Draws, brackets, medal matches. Skill divisions at every level.
- 7
The top of Australian tournament play: NPL Championship events and the Australian Pickleball Championships.
- 8
The official pathway league. 24 teams across Australia and New Zealand - the proving ground for players targeting the Pro Tour.
- 9
Australia's pinnacle: 12 teams, 3 conferences, $150,000 prize money in 2026.
Side note: NPL Academy - the youth pathway, ages 15-22, feeding Division 2 and the Pro Tour.
The competition pyramid
Seven levels from club social events to international pathways.
| Level | Category | Primary role |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Club social events | Turn social players into regular competitors |
| 1 | Club tournaments | The first proper tournament experience |
| 2 | Regional tournaments | Test players beyond their home club |
| 3 | State-level tournaments | State-level credibility and benchmarks |
| 4 | National Majors - led by NPL Championship events | National standing and elite tournament credibility |
| 5 | Professional league - NPLeague | Athletes, teams, stories, broadcast value |
| 6 | International pathways - GPA | Australian players onto the world stage |
Level 0
Club social events
Turn social players into regular competitors
Level 1
The first proper tournament experience
Level 2
Test players beyond their home club
Level 3
State-level credibility and benchmarks
Level 4
National Majors - led by NPL Championship events
National standing and elite tournament credibility
Level 5
Professional league - NPLeague
Athletes, teams, stories, broadcast value
Level 6
Australian players onto the world stage
Club events create players · regional and state events create benchmarks · National Majors create reputations · the NPLeague creates athletes · the GPA creates global opportunity.
Level 6 connects Australia to the Global Pickleball Alliance's world tour
- NPL - Australia
- APP - United States
- CNPL - Canada
- Pickleball D-Joy - Vietnam
- Global Sports - India
- Pickleball England - England
- European Pickleball Federation - Europe
- Rallyworld - Malaysia
- JPA - Japan
Inside a club
The strongest clubs organise their week around five categories of play - plus the court hire that lets anyone start.
Entry sessions
Learn to play. Coach-led, equipment included, zero experience required.
Open play
The backbone of every club. Graded social play, rotating partners, capped numbers, set to your DUPR level.
Coaching
Group clinics, skills & drills, private sessions. The fastest way to move up a level.
Rated competitive play
DUPR round robins - structured draws, real results, your official rating on the line.
Social events
Themed nights, mixers, food and community. The court is the centre, not the whole story.
Court hire
Book a court for your crew, seven days a week. Corporate groups welcome.
How do I give myself the best chance to get into the NPL?
You can't shortcut it: your DUPR rating is the objective measure selectors look at. Target 4.5+ to be on Division 2 radars, 5.0+ to be in Pro Tour conversations.
- 1Play DUPR events consistently - volume beats peak results
- 2Invest in coaching - the gap from 4.0 to 5.0 is technical
- 3Play National Majors - visibility matters
- 4Register your interest with NPL