How many co-founders does it take to start a pickleball centre, you ask?
For Pickle Nation, the answer is eight.
But these founders are no mere strangers. Friends since high school, the octet now has over 20 years of friendship between them.
“We’re mostly badminton people, but we hit a snag when one of us got a knee injury.”
“We were looking for a sport we could all enjoy together [when] our tennis-loving co-founder turned pickleball enthusiast was like, ‘You guys HAVE to try pickleball!’ And wow, it has been amazing!”
“It’s super inclusive, the knee injury wasn’t a problem, and honestly, we’re just having so much fun,” said Rae, one of the co-founders, to Vulcan Post.
Filling the demand
As for how the idea for Pickle Nation itself came about?
“We wanted to play, but we couldn’t find courts,” said another co-founder in one of the brand’s social media videos.
“I jokingly told them, you know what, let’s build courts of our own. I was thinking something simple like we’ll go find some car park or rooftop,” he added.
After discussing, however, the founders decided that “if you want to do it right, you do it all out.”
From visiting local courts and talking to active players, to finding the perfect space and partnering with the right contractors, it took the team six months of researching and late nights before Pickle Nation became a reality.
“We didn’t want to compromise on quality, so we focused on the things that really matter to players—great courts, comfortable amenities, and spaces to unwind,” said Rae.
Soon enough, with a RM2 million capital investment pooled together from the eight founders’ personal savings, a spot in Glenmarie, Shah Alam was transformed to accommodate 12 pickleball courts, a new retreat for pickleball lovers in the area.
In a review video by The Pickleball Gang, the page states that the court conditions are great, with courts seemingly built to tournament standards.
“[Court surfaces] are gritty and the nets are of high quality and are set to the right height,” they added.
Despite this, the page mentions that they found problems with spacing at courts near the entrance due to incoming and outgoing customers, which might be a problem for those playing at a higher level.
Currently open from 8AM to 1AM, bookings can be made at RM50 and RM70 per hour at off-peak and peak hours respectively. Paddle rentals are RM5 each per session.
For brief comparison, courts at nearby DINK3 can be booked for as low as RM39.
That said, customers at Pickle Nation are provided well-furbished amenities including a restaurant, lounge, and even… ice baths?
Distributing the weight
“We wanted Pickle Nation to be more than just a place to play; we wanted it to be your ultimate pickleball hub! It’s all about having everything you need in one spot—amazing courts, a place to chill with friends, gear up, grab a bite, and recover in comfort,” said Rae.
To that end, Pickle Nation also collaborated with another local startup, WarriorPlunge, to provide tired customers or even non-pickle ball players with the option of taking an ice bath either post-game or post-workout for RM48 per half-hour session.
“All eight of us are actively running the business. Besides this, all of us also have a full-time job,” said Seng Kiat, another founder who’s responsible for the sales and marketing aspect of the business.
“Our F&B, [Robbo Restaurant], is run by one of our co-founders who brings his passion for good food to the table. It’s a separate business, but they’re definitely part of our extended Pickle Nation family,” Rae chimed in.
Meanwhile, their equipment and merchandise store is run by in-house coaches, Vincent and Sandy.
“They’re not just selling gears; they’re our partners in growing the community and helping players optimise their performance with the right equipment. So, you’re getting top-notch food and expert advice, all from people who are truly part of the Pickle Nation family.”
For the picklers
All this was done with the goal of introducing more people to the sport. From providing a beginner-friendly introduction to pickleball via certified coaches, to providing a polished and comprehensive feel of the space, Pickle Nation has kept the local community in mind since the start.
“Every new court, every new player, strengthens the sport. We’re building a ‘Pickle Nation’ here, and we truly believe that the community will keep growing. Sure, every business has its ups and downs, but pickleball’s inclusivity and social aspect make it truly special,” Rae added.
In the long term, Pickle Nation aims to be the central hub of pickleball in Malaysia, welcoming players of every level.
Image Credit: Pickle Nation
“Through a range of tournaments, from small to government-sanctioned, combined with top-tier training and development programs, we aim to be the one-stop destination for the entire pickleball community,” said Rae.
“Our focus remains on creating a welcoming, comfortable, inclusive, and top-notch experience, and we’re continuously working to improve.”
Featured Image Credit: Pickle Nation
