Curious about PICKLEBALL and want to explore its health and wellbeing benefits?
XCEL, led by Gail Aiken—a PAA & PCI Certified Coach and Tennis Australia Junior Development Coach—welcomes players of all levels, including those completely new to the game.
MISSION
XCEL helps players of all ages and skill levels unlock their potential through coaching, structured gameplay, and fun, skill-building programs. We guide you to improve, master the game, and perform at your best.
PROGRAM DYNAMICS
At XCEL, our programs and clinics build your body’s capacity for sport and physical activity, enhancing health and wellbeing at any age or ability. Guided by Deep Practice*, we make the journey fun and rewarding, starting from your current skill level.
The FUNdamentals focus on essential skills like movement, coordination, balance, and agility, blending learning with challenge to boost confidence and enjoyment.
Rooted in our mantra
PLAY-PERFECT-PERFORM
we create a respectful, inclusive environment for all.
XCEL proudly brings the joy of pickleball, the world’s fastest-growing sport, to local communities.
PLAY
Pickleball is all about fun, and at XCEL, we bring that energy to every clinic and program! Learn through game-based play with sessions that are engaging, challenging, and tailored to your abilities.
With expertise in sports coaching, biomechanics, and fitness, we provide a well-rounded approach to skill development and wellbeing. At XCEL, fun isn’t just part of the game—it’s the heart of everything we do!
*The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle
PERFECT
This clinic is designed to help you unlock your full potential on the court and take you to YOUR next level!
If you need technical assistance, we will address any issues in your strokes, show how to build consistency, and teach you how to execute advanced techniques. Plus, you’ll master the art of using court space strategically, to construct winning points.
PERFORM
In this advanced clinic, you’ll master essential movement patterns, refine your shot selection, and develop strategies to elevate your overall performance.
We’ll also guide you in preparing for tournament play, practicing with purpose, and building a champion mindset—so you’re ready to perform at your best when it matters most.
PROGRAMS AND CLINICS
Pickleball FUNdamentals
1 and 2 (no DUPR / up to 2.5)
This is a must for ANYONE new to the game. Clinic 1 is for the player who has no, or minimal, experience playing racquet sports. Clinic 2 is for the player who comes from a racquet sport background.
Start your pickleball journey with the FUNdamentals of the game. Get off to the right start by experiencing how to play the game with equipment that suits your unique style of play. Learn its crazy language and rules as you are guided through the respective court spaces, and strokes, to use in these spaces. Learn how to master the "kitchen" with consistency and precision while learning how to play “as one” with a partner.
Session duration 120 mins (includes at least 30 minutes of match play)
$50 per person (12 person clinic)
Play to Perfect
(DUPR 2.5-3.5)
Pickleball is all about patience and strategy. Building consistency, mastering techniques like speed-ups, resets, and third-shot drops, and knowing when to apply them are key to advancing your game.
We'll focus on identifying your strengths and using them to create effective strategies. You'll learn what it means to play as a seamless team, forming a winning partnership. This includes analysing your opponents’ weaknesses, understanding the right moments to use stacking.
Session duration 120 mins (includes at least 45 minutes of match play)
$50 per person (12 person clinic)
Coach & Play
(DUPR 2.0-3.0)
Coach & Play is exactly what it sounds like! In this clinic, you'll focus on specific aspects of gameplay tailored to your skill base.
The coach will analyse all elements of your performance, identifying areas where key adjustments can boost your consistency. You'll benefit from applied coaching methods designed to refine critical areas of your game, including point construction and strategic play.
Session duration 120 mins (includes at least 90 minutes of match play)
$50 per person (12 person clinic)
Mobile and Private Clinics
(All levels)
Looking for a customised training experience? Our clinics come to you! We design sessions to match any skill level and group size, tailoring them to the unique needs of your players—all at your location.
We also offer frequent player packages for even more ways to level up your game!
Please contact Gail directly - gail@xcelpickleball.com.au
(Pricing for mobile and private clinics and packages may vary based on travel
and other relevant factors, so costs may differ from those listed)
Play Like a Pro
(DUPR 3.5+)
From warm-ups to cool-downs, you'll discover what top players do to gain an edge on the court. Learn how to move with precision, execute flawless strokes, master the concept of "claim and shine," and communicate effectively with your partner.
Stay "pickleball fit" by sharpening your positioning, shot selection, dinking finesse, and advanced techniques like speed-ups, resets, rolls. Discover how to apply freeze out domination at the net. These are the strategies that pave the way for success. Get ready to elevate your game!
Session duration 150 mins (includes at least 60 minutes of match play)
$50 per person (12 person clinic)
Tournament Coaching
(DUPR 3.0+)
One of the greatest things about Pickleball is that it’s fun for everyone. Tournaments are a great way to experience the fun with a playing partner while taking your game to new heights—perhaps even podium heights! Bring along your doubles partner and learn how to specifically train for tournaments. How to enhance your doubles gameplay with great on court communication, moving “as one”; using time and space to develop a winning strategy.
Gain insider knowledge and strategies for tournament success!
Session duration 120 mins (includes at least 60 minutes of match play)
$50 per person (12 person clinic)
Pickleball PULSE
(All levels)
Get ready for cardio-packed fun with our clinic, powered by Deep Practice* principles! Through dynamic movement patterns, exciting pickleball play, and escalating cardio challenges, you'll be energized and sweating in no time.
Each of the six timed segments is designed to build muscle memory, helping you refine your skills while engaging the body’s energy systems for optimal fitness. This session delivers ultimate on-court fun while boosting your fitness and conditioning. Experience the palpable energy of Pickleball PULSE.
*The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle
Session duration 60 mins (max 8 players)
$25 per person
LOCATIONS
Baringa State Primary School
30 Baringa Dr, Bells Creek QLD
Partnering with Baringa State Primary School, this three court stadium is an indoor facility allowing for all-weather play.
The stadium is located next to the carpark off Edwards Terrace.
Tamborine Mountain Pickleball Club
Vonda Youngman Community Centre
Knoll Road Tamborine Mountain
Partnering with Tamborine Mountain Pickleball Club allows participants to experience two all-weather indoor courts surrounded by beautiful national parks.
Mobile Clinics
Our clinic offerings can come to you!
By request, we can tailor sessions to suit the unique needs of your players and deliver them at your location.
Please note that mobile clinics and packages consider travel and other relevant factors, so pricing may vary from what is listed on this website.
Contact: gail@xcelpickleball.com.au
The Spark Behind XCEL Pickleball - Gail Aiken
Gail has spent 55 years helping people unlock their potential through passion, creativity, and innovation.
For 30 years, she’s thrived in sport, recreation, and fitness, earning state and national recognition for her tennis coaching and business ideas. Her fresh approach has empowered communities and opened doors for all ages and abilities, including a decade with Tennis Australia, where she shared her expertise in workshops across Australia and overseas.
In 2018, Gail managed projects for the Commonwealth Games, which led her to the Sunshine Coast and new opportunities in the disability sector. Then came World Pickleball Day in 2019—sparking her love affair with the sport!
Driven to master pickleball, Gail earned a Pickleball Coaching International Certification, learning from seasoned coaches to fuel her passion for the game.
Her career has been rich, spanning a lifetime of community engagement, connecting people of all ages and abilities through sport and physical activity. Gail firmly believes that true success comes from working alongside passionate and talented people. If you’re interested in partnering with XCEL PICKLEBALL, Gail would love to hear from you!
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SAY
I enjoyed the way ‘PULSE’ combined aerobic fitness with pickleball skills. I could work out within my comfort zone or push myself harder. It’s great for all ages. Young children to grandparents. Loved it!
Barry, 67
I really liked playing with my mum and brother and we had lots of fun learning the game together. It was different to my tennis squad and I thought it was super cool.
Archie, 10
Loved the combination of the game of pickleball, practicing technical skills, and a cardio workout. It was an incredibly fun session suitable for the whole family and a variety of skill levels. I can’t wait to go again!
Colleen, 42
WOW – what an experience! Not only did I get to drill and practice some innovative skills to improve my game, but it was also a fun and engaging cardio workout. Highly recommend the session to those looking to improve their game and fitness, but also have some fun and socialise.
Mick
I love playing pickleball and working out with friends. ‘PULSE’ combines the two perfectly. I found the session interactive and fun but challenging at the same time. I would totally recommend it to all ages and skill levels.
Lee, 63
Pickleball ACT was treated to a series of bespoke pickleball clinics run over 10 days with 96 attendances. Each session was structured to maximise the learning experience and aspirations of each person. Gail is professional, great to work with, adaptable, wise and she has the most wonderful way of making people feel like they have potential. The feedback was extraordinarily positive. I enthusiastically recommend Gail to any individual or club interested in developing their game to the next level.
Stuart Campbell, President, Pickleball ACT
I began my coaching with Gail six months after I started playing Pickleball. I immediately knew that I was in very capable hands. She had me working hard in our sessions together, but the learning points were always clear, targeted and manageable. I never left a session without feeling totally exhilarated, joyful, and confident about my progress and the learning experience.
Erica
I really liked the session. I hadn’t played before and enjoyed learning the special pickleball shots and names for things. I’d like to bring my friend’s next time!
Ned. 12
We made a video!
Dylan Kimlin from ‘Live with DK’ sat down with Gail Aiken for a chat about all things XCEL Pickleball !
AFFILIATES
PARTNERS
RESOURCES
ACCREDITATIONS
Just like you, all of the XCEL Pickleball team are passionate about personal development and betterment to be the best they can be. You can be confident that all of the team have the required accreditations to deliver our clinics. To that end, our team have completed:
Pickleball Coach International Certification (Gail Aiken)
Coach and Assistant Coach Certification with Tennis Australia
Community Coaching Essential Skills (Sport Australia)
Improving Sport for People with a Disability - Special Olympics’ Australia
Spirit of The Game
First Aid Certification
Working with children (blue card)
XCEL Pickleball has all the required indemnity insurances and staff security checks have been conducted by National Crime Check (certificates available).