Founder's Journal
One Year of BPC
On January 1, 2026, as the new year dawns, BPC completes its first official trip around the sun.
What sets BPC apart from other sports organizations is that our community has been built entirely on player dynamics and bonding. Much of what we started—or stopped—doing came directly from player feedback. While it’s impossible to cater to every individual request given the size of our growing groups, we’ve worked hard to design games and DUPR tournaments that satisfy broader appetites for competition.
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As founder, my role has been to observe, adapt, and act quickly. Being the sole decision‑maker means moving fast to make choices that shape our growth—whether that’s adding new venues or retiring those that don’t gain traction.
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I’ve heard from players who feel saturated by the sheer number of competitions, and I don’t blame them. I’ve felt it too. This year, I chose to focus my energy solely on BPC tournaments and games, because these are the spaces where players come together to make their evenings meaningful.
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Our community is open to all ages and genders. The only restriction we apply is DUPR, ensuring games remain entertaining and balanced for everyone at a venue. While requests for further segregation continue, what works elsewhere doesn’t necessarily work for BPC—and we remain committed to inclusivity.
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BPC was born from my own experience as a female pickleball player, often a minority on the court. In India, men dominate the sport, despite the country’s vast population of women in their playing years. In contrast, Sydney’s courts were almost evenly split, with many women in their mature years actively participating.
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Local clubs here have tried to involve more women—through discounts, free games, and women‑only sessions—but participation remains negligible. As a female founder, I once believed my presence would encourage more women to step out and play. Ironically, that hasn’t happened.
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This may reflect a deeper cultural bias: women in India who play sports are often seen as carefree or neglectful of family duties. In Sydney, my baseball teammates brought children and ageing parents to the ground as part of their weekend routine. That sense of normalcy makes the male‑heavy composition in Bangalore feel unusual. The question we keep asking is: “Where have all the women gone?”
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Yet, I feel blessed. Many men have stepped forward to support me and the community—hosting games, signing up for memberships, and offering advice when needed.
I am deeply grateful to our BPC hosts: Abhilash, Ravinder, Dhinesh, Nithin, Kedar, Anirudh, Ramesh, Mayoof, Jose, Mohnish, and Mahantesh. Their contributions have been vital in helping us cross the 1,000+ player mark this year and expand across multiple venues in town.
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As we move into 2026, I promise to continue the momentum we’ve built and add new dimensions to our community. Starting next month, this website will feature a monthly spotlight on long‑standing players who embody the true value of community sport—both in their game and in their lives.
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I invite you to grow with us in 2026, and I hope this new year brings joy, happiness, and fulfilment to each of you.
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2026, we are ready for you.
Season Leagues Vs Night Leagues
When I announced our first season league back in June, many players weren’t sure what to expect. The idea was new, and the format unfamiliar.
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The concept came from my own experiences in Sydney, where I played Baseball and Softball season leagues across Spring and Winter. Those leagues were about finding your “gang” and sticking with it. About 4-8 teams of 12-16 players blended skill levels and personalities, and the season became a shared journey rather than just a set of matches.
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But when I introduced the same idea to Pickleball, the response was mixed. Players worried about the format, the duration, and the commitment of showing up every weekend. I had assumed team spirit would carry them through, but Pickleball isn’t Baseball. It’s largely individualistic — played in pairs, often quietly, with bursts of emotion only when points are won or lost. What worked beautifully in one sport didn’t translate seamlessly into another.
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Lessons from Season Leagues
Organising the season league taught me a lot. The scarcity principle was at play: when courts are limited, enthusiasm spikes; when opportunities are abundant, motivation wanes. In Sydney, leagues had to cap entries at 150 women — all eager to play, even if only as substitutes or scorers. I remember the thrill of being assigned to bat and be placed infield, proof that my skills were aligned with the team's needs.
Here in Bangalore, though, questions poured in: "Who chose the teams?" "How many advanced players per team?" "Why are we using this format?"
It reminded me of my own early frustrations abroad — wanting to join a team simply because they had gorgeous purple jerseys. Yet despite the challenges, season leagues gave me unforgettable memories. They were about camaraderie, competition, and the joy of showing up week after week.
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Pickleball’s Unique Culture
Pickleball culture is different. It prizes excellence and personal achievement. Wins are celebrated, losses sting, and every score is remembered. Unlike Baseball, where I recall my best hits but not the final tallies, Pickleball wires us to track victories and defeats with precision.
Even innovations like player referees didn’t land well. In Sydney, officiating carried prestige — teammates trusted your judgment, opponents respected your calls. In India, however, external referees are the norm, and the idea of players officiating felt odd to many.
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Why Night Leagues Work
And this is where Night Leagues shine. Short, sharp, and social, they fit seamlessly into the rhythm of life here. Players arrive in the evening, compete, and head home satisfied. Night tournaments thrive in India because evenings are when people can truly unwind.
Since that first season league, I’ve organised two night leagues, with another on the horizon. Each has taught me more about player motivations: some crave applause, others trophies, and some simply want their performance remembered.
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The Common Thread
Whether it’s a day-long season league or a quick night league, the essence is the same: stepping onto the court or field as your other self — the competitor, the warrior. Each game is a chance to unleash that persona, to test your limits, and to leave a mark.
And that, ultimately, is what keeps us coming back.
The Origin Story
The seed for starting Bangalore Pickleball Community (BPC) was sown years ago when I, Anne Sequeira, found myself searching for a sense of community and belonging while in Sydney, Australia. As an MBA student, my first two years there felt like a dream. It was easy to feel connected while being affiliated with a university.
But once graduation arrived, that sense of community quickly faded. I was no longer a student at a top university, but just another immigrant in a country filled with immigrants. Sports had never been my career path—my academic achievements always outshone my performance on the field. Growing up in India, academics were prioritized far above sports.
So I began seeking communities in Sydney where the common denominator wasn’t race or background, but shared interests. I joined women’s hiking groups and eventually started my own meetup called Lady Birds Sydney. The name sparked mixed reactions, but the group thrived until COVID-19 disrupted everything. By 2020, I had graduated and, like most Australians, embraced lockdown life. When restrictions eased, I returned to hiking, but the vibrant women’s groups I had cherished had dissolved as many members returned to their home countries.
In December 2022, I stumbled upon Pickleball at community games hosted at Bondi Waverley Council’s sports centre. Weekend evenings were spent in open play sessions, and I quickly picked up the game. Later, I gravitated toward Glebe’s community centre, where the players’ warmth made me feel truly at home.
Not long after, Baseball entered my life. I discovered women’s games in Marrickville and, despite the 90‑minute commute, enrolled in the winter league. Transitioning from cricket to baseball wasn’t easy—I struggled for months to connect bat with ball. But persistence paid off, and by season’s end I was one of the top batters on my team. That confidence carried me into a women’s softball league in Cronulla, where I opened the batting and finished the season as my team’s leading scorer.
These leagues gave me more than athletic skills—they gave me resilience, camaraderie, and a way to navigate personal challenges. And when I spent time back in Bangalore after six years abroad, I felt the same urge to build a community there. As young adults, friendships come easily; as life grows busier, those bonds fade. Communities fill that gap—not to replace old friendships, but to create safe spaces where people can be themselves, share experiences, and grow together.
For me, community is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Maslow may place belonging later in his hierarchy of needs, but I believe it sits alongside the basics of life. Community isn’t the outcome of happiness; it’s the foundation of it.
That belief led to the creation of the Bangalore Pickleball Community in 2024. What began with a small group of players has grown into something far greater. I’ve grown with it, and I know you will too. Join us, meet incredible people, and let this community shape your journey in ways you never imagined.
There is no tomorrow. Seize the day and make your memories.
See you on the court soon.
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