The Double Gloucester Pickleball & Cheese Festival
You're Invited!
We would like to invite you to our First Pickleball Festival which we are hosting jointly with the Gloucester Bombers. Whether you are looking to get some tournament practice or simply want to play for fun, we have something for you!
Morning Session
Graded Games
Structured, competitive match rotations categorized closely by individual player skill levels.
Afternoon Session
Social Play Mix Up
A vibrant, high-energy community mixer. Rotate partners dynamically, meet local players, and have fun.
Festival Highlights
All skill levels welcome.
Bookable at Freedom Leisure 2 weeks prior.
Attending with stock of the latest pickleball equipment for that early Christmas Present shopping.
Available all day long for refreshments.
Includes full daytime rotation of match play, equipment test demos, and local Double Gloucester artisan cheese tastings.
Festival Format
Dink & Link 🔗
The Festival Format
No tournament pressure, no fixed partners—just a mix of open-court play, social networking, coaching, and gear testing.
The Social Mixer
Show up solo or with friends. You will rotate partners and opponents after every game, meeting new players on every court.
The Rotation Station
Step off the court, slide your personalized magnetic name tag onto the central queue board, and head straight to the hydration station and some refuelling before the next pairing.
Play to 11
Quick, fast-paced games to 11 points (win by 2) keep the energy high and ensure maximum court time for everyone.
Curated Skill Courts
Courts are organized by experience level so you always get a fun, balanced game before winding down at the grazing tables.
Meet. Dink. Paddle Tap. Rotate. Repeat!
Coaching
New to Pickleball Taster Sessions
Oxstalls Sports Park — Freedom Leisure
Complete introduction across 3 independent, one-hour training modules using additional courts.
Important Booking Window info
Slots are bookable through Freedom Leisure exactly 2 weeks prior to the event date. These sessions will be utilizing additional dedicated courts separate from the main festival play.
Available Session Slots
- Morning Block: 10:00am – 11:00am
- Midday Block: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
- Afternoon Block: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Core Syllabus Covered
Every individual slot covers continental paddle grips, legal underhand serving rules, baseline groundstroke depth, and an introduction to Non-Volley Zone boundaries.
Max 12 players per session slot. All three session schedules cover identical content.Getting There & Parking
The Venue
Oxstalls Sports Park
Plock Court, Tewkesbury Road, Longford, Gloucester, GL2 9DW.
Main Car Park
Free parking is available on-site for up to 130 cars. Please note spaces fill up quickly during major tournaments and busy weekend festival slots.
Accessible Parking
Designated bays for Blue Badge holders are located directly on the tarmac near the main entrance infrastructure and central changing facilities.
Overflow Options
University of Gloucestershire
Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester, GL2 9HW.
Campus Overflow Parking
If the main sports facility car park reaches capacity, peak event overflow spacing is accessible at the adjacent University campus. It is a scenic, flat 10-minute walk back to the court arena. Parking charges apply
Public Transport & Active Travel
The distance from Gloucester Station/Gloucester Transport hub to Plock Court is roughly 1.5 miles and takes about 30 minutes on foot if you prefer a direct walk via Estcourt Road or Tewkesbury Road
The 71, 97, and 98 routes stop frequently along Tewkesbury Road directly outside the park gates.
Terms & Conditions
- 1. Minor injuries: Bruises, sprains, or dehydration.
- 2. Major injuries: Eye damage, joint, bone, or back injuries, heat stroke, heart attacks, and concussions.
- 3. Catastrophic events: Paralysis or death.
By proceeding with registration, you certify that you have read and accept all statements above.