There is a cry that goes up most Thursday lunchtimes at Hazel Court, and everyone on the court knows whose it is. “Oooops,” says Gloria, as the ball sails somewhere it was never meant to go. Then she gets ready for the next one.
Gloria turns 90 later this month. She is still turning up to play.
She is a regular at the Frenz Pickleball session at Hazel Court, which runs every Thursday from noon until 1pm and is set up for older players and people with limited mobility.
Steve Baker, who founded Frenz Pickleball, says she makes the case for the sport better than he ever could. “Gloria turning 90 while still coming along and playing pickleball says far more about what we are trying to achieve than any advertising campaign could,” he said.
“People can look at sport and think, ‘That isn’t for somebody like me.’ Gloria rather spectacularly proves otherwise.”
He is not bothered when a rally ends in chaos. “She plays, she laughs, occasionally the ball goes somewhere unexpected and we hear ‘oooops’. Then she gets ready for the next one. That’s exactly what recreational sport should be about.”
The sport that borrowed from three others
For anyone who has not come across it, pickleball is a paddle game played over a net on a badminton-sized court, with a lightweight plastic ball full of holes. It takes bits of tennis, badminton and table tennis, and because the court is small and the pace can be dialled up or down, it suits players who would not fancy chasing a tennis ball around.
Frenz runs sessions across Swansea, Llanelli and Carmarthenshire as a volunteer-led club, with equipment provided, sessions costing between £5 and £6.50 and membership 50p a year. The Hazel Court session puts confidence, taking part and enjoyment ahead of competition.
Steve discovered the game after moving to the United States in 2007 and brought it home with him. He started Frenz Seniors Pickleball in September 2022 with help from a Business Wales start-up grant, and within 18 months had gone from six players to 125 regulars.
Gloria is not even the oldest player he has had on court. In 2024 he was describing a 93-year-old in a wheelchair who “giggles hysterically every time he scores a point”.
A retirement scheme that opens its doors
Hazel Court itself is run by the housing association Caredig. It is an extra care scheme of 120 one- and two-bedroom flats where tenants live independently, with care and support on hand when they need it.
It has a restaurant, a shop, a hairdresser, a library and an arts and crafts room, and its communal rooms are used by people from the surrounding Sketty streets as well as tenants, for everything from yoga to flower arranging. Last year it hosted the Pettifor Trust’s fashion show for Hope Rescue.
Pickleball is also among the 125 activities offered free or at a discount to over-60s through the 60-plus Active Leisure Scheme, which runs in every council area in Wales.
The Hazel Court session runs every Thursday from 12 noon to 1pm. Frenz can be reached at frenzpickleball@gmail.com.
As for Gloria, the birthday comes later this month. Thursday, as usual, comes first.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Sports start-up is batting for success – How a Business Wales grant helped Steve Baker launch Frenz Seniors Pickleball in Swansea.
Over-60s to benefit from free fitness scheme – Pickleball among 125 free or discounted activities for older people across Wales.
Pettifor Trust to host fashion show in aid of Hope Rescue – The 2025 charity fashion show held at Hazel Court in Sketty.
Discover more from Swansea Bay News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
