What started as a curious try-out became a defining part of Barry’s life. Today, pickleball fuels his competitive spirit and connects him with a vibrant community that grows with every game.
The sound is a distinct, crisp and percussive “pop”. For us, it signals that a pickleball game is on nearby. For 30-year-old SGT2 Barry Chong Shao Wei, who served his National Service (NS) in the Singapore Police Force as an NS medic with the Protective Service Command (ProCom), it cues his reflexes. His stance lowers and his arm tenses, his eyes tracking the ball, waiting for the one bounce, before he returns it to his opponent.
To him, the 6.1m by 13.4 m pickleball court is a place where tactics and techniques are put to use, and where his reflexes and stamina are put to the test. So how did he get started? “When my friend introduced me to pickleball about one and a half years ago, I got hooked on it,” he says.
What Barry brings to the court, however, is more than just passion. There is a meticulousness and precision that percolates throughout his life. Whether he is training for his IPPT, working on a project as a researcher in the public health sector or on the pickleball court, Barry displays an intentionality to make every moment and every minute count.
In some ways, pickleball is not unlike tennis or table tennis. If one is to distill its essence, it is about the inversely related variables of speed and control. The basic rules are simple. They are built on a framework of fairness and strategy.
The most unique feature is the non-volley zone, or “the kitchen,” a 2.13m area extending from the net where players cannot hit the ball in the air. This rule prevents players from simply standing at the net and smashing the ball, forcing a tactical “short game” of soft shots called “dinks.”
Then there is the two-bounce rule. The ball must bounce once on the receiver’s side and once on the server’s side before anyone can begin volleying. This prevents a serve and volley advantage and ensures longer, more strategic rallies.
Pickleball is arguably one of the most inclusive sports today. Barry has witnessed 14-year-old beginners playing alongside 87-year-olds seniors. Because the court is smaller than a tennis court and the ball is lighter, the physical barrier to entry is low.
“Don’t be scared,” Barry advises. “The ball doesn’t bite.” For newcomers who worry about hand-eye coordination, the plastic ball moves at a pace that allows for reaction time. Most experienced players will intentionally pace themselves to help a beginner find their rhythm.
Barry (bottom row, fourth from right in blue) at an inter-social pickleball game.
So, what is it that keeps Barry coming back for more? When Barry describes the pickleball community, there is a sense of pride in how it organises itself. It does not rely on any top-down direction but is driven by individual initiative. To set up games and publicise them, Barry and his fellow enthusiasts use the Reclub app, a digital hub that functions like a social network for athletes.
Senior players often ease newcomers into the game by slowing the pace and advising them on affordable equipment. Barry notes that a beginner can start with a $10 paddle from Shopee, whereas a veteran might spend upwards of $200 on a professional carbon fibre model. He has invested significantly in paddles that offer better control needed for advanced slicing and spinning. “It’s more about the user than the equipment,” he admits, though he frequently loans his high-end paddles to friends to let them feel the difference in control.
Beyond the gear, there is the camaraderie. Barry cherishes the post-game moments when players gather around to shoot the breeze. “How’s life? How’s the week? Is everything okay?” are not just pleasantries but genuine entreaties that lead to deeper conversations. “That moment where I can get to know anyone through the sport, that is a big blessing,” Barry shares.
Then there is the competitive element. Barry likes to win, but he relishes the entire experience, from pre-game strategising with team members to post-game celebrations. In December 2025, he competed in a tournament with his team, endearingly named “Resting Grinch Face,” where scouting opponent weaknesses and discussing team chemistry were as much a part of the fun as the actual match.
Barry prepares for the court much like he prepares for his IPPT, through one determined 10‑kilometre loop at a time around Woodlands. He doesn’t leave his aerobic base to chance. “I clock about 50 to 55 minutes for a 10km run,” he says. This stringent regimen has secured him an IPPT Gold for four consecutive cycles.
The stamina required for a half marathon translates to the pickleball court, where a single point can last anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes depending on the skill level, core strength, and stability. He often plays with his intake friends, bringing the camaraderie of his NS days to the pickleball courts.
Barry’s enthusiasm has become infectious among his circles. “I play with my intake friends because a lot of them are interested in pickleball. I brought them out for a game, and we play together. It’s been great for building their stamina,” he says.
The sport has also become a centrepiece of his personal life. “It took me one year to persuade my fiancée to try the sport. Once she tried it, she was interested to play more. At first, she said I was spending a lot of time on pickleball, but after meeting the team and getting to know them, she’s become friends with them too. Fun fact: I am inviting my pickleball friends to our wedding!”
With purpose-built pickleball courts now available for booking at HomeTeamNS Khatib, Barry sees a shift away from improvised HDB void deck play towards professional grade facilities. He believes that the courts will serve as a dedicated space for members to gather, play and, decompress. One key advantage is that it will cost a lot less than using private courts. He is even toying with the idea of setting up a Pickleball Interest Group at HomeTeamNS and his workplace.
“It’s a way to work hard and play hard,” Barry says. “For me, so long as I have proper time management, the sport incentivises me to fulfil my responsibilities so that I can get to my game.”
For those hesitating at the sidelines, Barry’s advice is focused on the mechanical reality of the game. He acknowledges that new players often fear the speed of the ball, but he insists that the physics of the game are on the player’s side.
“Don’t be afraid of the ball,” he says. “Even a fast ball gives you enough reaction time if your stance is right. You just have to find the rhythm.”
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