A group of Filipino pickleball enthusiasts in Riyadh has turned a small circle of four players into a community of almost 50, driven by a shared goal of introducing more overseas workers to the sport.
Pickle Guard Club-Riyadh traces its origins to May 2025, when Marion Joseph, JB Sison, Ana Marie and Gretchen first gathered to practice and play together. The founders describe their expansion since then as steady, with membership now approaching 50 active players.
Part of what set the club in motion was a conversation with Angelito Errua, founder of Angelico/Angelica Pickleball Club, whose ambition to get people of all ages playing the sport with enthusiasm helped shape the group’s direction.
Wanting to pass along what they had learned, members staged their first Beginners Night on August 6, 2026 at New Barcelona Academy in Riyadh. The session drew roughly 60 participants and relied on coaches and players from various clubs who volunteered their time and expertise.
For the organizers, the appeal of pickleball extends past competition. They point to the friendships and sense of belonging it fosters, offering the OFW community a space to unwind and connect while living far from the Philippines.
Looking ahead, the club has set its sights on a dual meet against KFMMC-Dharan Dammam, scheduled for September 24-25, 2026.
