Social Tennis vs Cardio Tennis vs Pickleball Socials: The Adult's Guide to the Tennis Courts in Matraville
If you've searched for tennis courts in Matraville lately, chances are you're not looking to join a competition ladder. You want a casual way back into racquet sport, with people roughly your level, on a night that suits you. At Heffron Park Tennis Centre, that search now has four real answers: pickleball socials, Social Tennis, Cardio Tennis and coached adult group lessons. All four run on one site at 417–439 Bunnerong Road, but they suit different people. Here's what each one involves, what it costs and how to turn up to your first session without feeling like the new kid.
The Tennis Courts in Matraville at a Glance
Heffron Park Tennis Centre is a Randwick Council facility operated by Sydney Sports Management Group. The site has 10 tennis courts (four acrylic hard courts and six synthetic grass courts) and 10 pickleball courts (two dedicated and eight multi-sport). The tennis courts are all outdoors. It's open Monday to Thursday 7am to 10pm, Friday 7am to 9pm and weekends 7am to 8pm.
There's on-site parking, a pro shop, and a kiosk serving barista-made coffee with covered seating, so you can stay and watch the next session or catch up with the group afterwards. The four programs below are the ones built for adults who want to play regularly without committing to a competition.
Four Ways to Play: What Each One Is Like
They all run on the same courts, but the format, the coaching and the price differ. Start with the one that matches what you actually want from the night.
Pickleball socials and coached sessions
From $12.50Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court, roughly 6.1 by 13.4 metres and much smaller than a tennis court, according to Tennis Australia. The rules are simple and the socials are open to all skill levels, which is why complete beginners fit in. Heffron Park runs three a week: Wednesday 8:30am–10:30am at $12.50, and Monday 7:00pm–8:30pm and Friday 6:30pm–8:00pm at $17.50 each. Book your spot through the pickleball page.
Want some structure first? Group lessons run on Wednesdays 7:30am–8:30am and Fridays 9:00am–10:00am. Prefer your own game? Pickleball court hire is $30 an hour, and there's a WhatsApp community for players linked from the pickleball page.
Social Tennis
Tuesday nightA relaxed Tuesday night hit with other adults, 7:30pm–9:30pm across multiple courts. It's $32 a session or $286 for ten, with 30% off for club members. It suits competition-level beginners and above, so you need to be able to serve and rally.
There's no structured coaching, though the Social Tennis page notes a coach is on hand to offer advice. Book your spot, head through reception on arrival, collect balls and play. It's also the natural next step for anyone finishing a block of group lessons.
Cardio Tennis
60 minutesA coach-led fitness class that mixes cardio work and tennis drills to a high-energy soundtrack, pitched as an alternative to a gym class. You don't need to be good at tennis, and it's open to all skill levels, abilities and ages.
Sessions run Wednesday 6:30pm–7:30pm and Thursday 7:00pm–8:00pm. It's $32 per session or $286 for ten, with 20% off for members. Bring a racquet, workout gear, trainers and a water bottle. Details are on the Cardio Tennis page.
Adult group lessons
90 min · max 8Small-group coaching led by a qualified coach, with up to eight adults across two courts so you get individual feedback rather than a drill rotation. Levels are kept separate: Beginner (Monday 7:00pm, Wednesday 7:30pm, Saturday 12:00pm), Competition Beginner (Saturday 10:30am) and Intermediate (Thursday 7:30pm, Friday 7:00pm).
You don't need a partner, and you don't need your own racquet for the first session. Lessons can be booked casually, in packs or on a weekly direct debit, with current rates on the Adult Groups page. Adult coaching is led by Head Coach Luis Gambali.
Weekly Timetable and Prices at a Glance
Here are all four programs side by side, so you can match a session to your week.
| Program | When | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickleball social (morning) | Wed 8:30am–10:30am | $12.50 per session | Daytime players with flexible weeks |
| Pickleball socials (evenings) | Mon 7:00pm–8:30pm, Fri 6:30pm–8:00pm | $17.50 per session | After-work players, beginners welcome |
| Pickleball group lessons | Wed 7:30am–8:30am, Fri 9:00am–10:00am | $17.50 (Friday session) | New players who want some structure first |
| Social Tennis | Tue 7:30pm–9:30pm | $32 per session; $286 for ten | Players who can serve and rally |
| Cardio Tennis | Wed 6:30pm–7:30pm, Thu 7:00pm–8:00pm | $32 per session; $286 for ten | Anyone after a fitness workout, no tennis skill needed |
| Adult group lessons | Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat (see stages above) | Casual, pack or weekly direct debit; see the Adult Groups page | Beginners to intermediates who want coaching |
Prices and times are as listed on Heffron Park's website on 5 October 2026 and can change, so check the booking page before you pay. Club members get 30% off Social Tennis and 20% off Cardio Tennis.
How to Get Started: A Step-by-Step
- 1Pick the program that matches your goal. Fitness (Cardio Tennis), coaching (adult group lessons), a relaxed hit (Social Tennis) or something new and low-pressure (pickleball socials).
- 2Check the day and time against your week. Most sessions run on a fixed weekly slot, so match it to your calendar before anything else.
- 3Book your spot. Use the booking button on the program's page, or call (02) 9093 6390 or email heffronpark@ssmgroup.com.au if you're not sure which session fits.
- 4Pack the right gear. Comfortable athletic clothing and flat-soled shoes for lessons, plus a racquet, trainers and a water bottle for Cardio Tennis.
- 5Arrive a few minutes early. It gives you time to find your court and meet the coach or the regulars before play starts.
- 6Think about membership once you're playing weekly. Members get discounts on Social Tennis, Cardio Tennis and group lessons, but check the waitlist situation first (see the mistakes below).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 1Assuming pickleball needs tennis experience. It doesn't. The socials are open to all skill levels and the court is much smaller than a tennis court.
- 2Turning up to Social Tennis as a first-timer. You need to be able to serve and rally, so beginners are better off starting with an adult group lesson at Beginner level.
- 3Mixing up court hire and a session. Court hire gives you a court for whoever you bring, at $30 an hour for pickleball. Socials and lessons are organised sessions with their own prices. External coaching isn't permitted on hired courts.
- 4Wearing the wrong shoes. Running shoes are fine to start, but avoid heavily treaded soles such as trail runners or hiking shoes, which can damage the synthetic grass courts.
- 5Assuming membership covers pickleball. The tennis membership doesn't include pickleball, and as of October 2026 memberships are at capacity, with new members joining a waitlist.
Bringing a Friend
Starting with someone you know makes the first few sessions more comfortable. For adult group lessons, contact the centre directly and the team will place you both in the same session. For Social Tennis, Cardio Tennis and the pickleball socials, book your spots for the same session. If you'd rather have a court to yourselves, pickleball court hire is $30 an hour and can be booked up to two weeks ahead.
More at Heffron Park
Once you're settled in, a few other options are worth knowing about. If you'd rather work on one skill, private lessons are available one-on-one, and pickleball private lessons come in 30, 45 and 60-minute sessions. Many adults move from beginner lessons into Social Tennis and eventually the adult competition. Need a court for your own group? You can book a court online. Bringing the kids along too? Check out Kids Tennis, and see the membership page for current benefits and the waitlist.
Key Takeaways
- ●All four programs run at one site, 417–439 Bunnerong Road, Matraville, which has 10 tennis courts and 10 pickleball courts.
- ●Pickleball socials start at $12.50, while Social Tennis and Cardio Tennis are each $32 a session.
- ●Social Tennis is for players who can already serve and rally. Beginners are better off starting with an adult group lesson (maximum eight players).
- ●Cardio Tennis is a 60-minute coach-led fitness class on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and you don't need to be good at tennis.
- ●Pickleball isn't included in the tennis membership, and memberships are currently at capacity with a waitlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the tennis courts and pickleball courts in Matraville, and when are they open?+
Do I need experience to join a pickleball social?+
What's the difference between Social Tennis and Cardio Tennis?+
How much do the sessions cost?+
How much is pickleball court hire, and how far ahead can I book?+
Does Heffron Park membership cover these sessions?+
Which adult group lesson level should I start in?+
Can I bring a friend to my first session?+
What should I wear and bring?+
Are the tennis courts indoors or outdoors?+
Not sure which session is right for you?
Call (02) 9093 6390 or email heffronpark@ssmgroup.com.au, and the team will point you to the pickleball social, Social Tennis, Cardio Tennis or adult group lesson that matches your level and your week.
Sources: pickleball court size from Tennis Australia's how to play pickleball guide. Prices, times, membership details and policies are from the Pickleball, Adult Groups, Social Tennis, Cardio Tennis, Membership and Court Hire pages at heffronparktennis.com.au, checked on 5 October 2026.