Born and raised in Georgia, Brittany Yang grew up with tennis on her mind. She ended up playing collegiate tennis at Liberty University, where she met her now husband. Yang’s life took a turn after graduation when she followed him to his home country of New Zealand after college. Although she planned on staying just for a year, ten years later living in Wellington, she reflects on the cultural differences between New Zealand and the United States, two distinct atmospheres she’s come to appreciate. About two years ago while visiting the States, Yang found pickleball, a sport that has hooked her like no other.

---

Chloe: So, what got you into pickleball? I know you come from a tennis background, but I would love to hear more about what got you hooked. 

Brittany: Yeah, definitely, so you probably hear right now, I am American, so I grew up, yeah, born and raised in Atlanta, and played tennis my whole life growing up, since I was like eight, so very much like in that world, training for college tennis–D1, full-ride college scholarships, that was always like my track.

I ended up playing tennis at Liberty University in Virginia, and ended up meeting my now husband there, who was also on the men’s team there, and he is a New Zealander, so when he graduated, he is a bit older than me, so he graduated and eventually decided to move back to New Zealand, and then I moved, this was like 10 years ago, so I moved over initially just like, well, just for a year, something different or whatever, but yeah, so I have been there for 10 years now, and I just happen to be back in America now for like a training block, back home with my family, like a training block at the moment.

So, I’m officially a New Zealand citizen and everything, and it wasn’t until I tried to come home back to Georgia to visit like for a month every year, just to see family and friends and everything, so it was about two years, a year and a half ago maybe, that I came home, and I started like some of my friends from like high school, where it was like one of my friends like playing pickleball, like just for fun with like a group that he plays with every week, just like at the local courts. I say local courts, but they’re actually like so nice, it’s called the House of Pickleball in Noonan, the HOP, and so that’s when I just started playing, and it was just like purely for fun, and that’s why I fell in love with it, because I continue to play tennis like just for fun, like have a hit after college and everything, like I still love the sport, and I was still like staying active and everything, but I hadn’t actually like engaged in like a new sport just for fun in a long time.

It’s different, and it’s social, and I can, you know, so the aspect that gets everyone hooked, I guess, so that’s when I first picked up a paddle, and got used to hitting this like plastic ball, and I was like, this is a bit silly, but I really like it, and so when I was home that month, literally like was playing almost every day, like still not really knowing what I was doing, but like I could hit the ball, and like I had the hands and stuff, so I’m like, okay, great, and then when I went back to New Zealand after that month, I was like, hmm, I wonder what opportunities there are for pickleball here, so that’s when I really started to look around, and learn about like kind of the state of pickleball in New Zealand. I found lots of Facebook community groups, and things like that, and joined, and like met people in the community, and was just trying to get along to like those like open play sessions, and things like that, and meet people, and from there kind of got my husband into it too. He says I forced him, but I think he enjoyed it too, but dragged him along into it, and so pickleball means, and then after, so since then, kind of have just been, I guess, playing, and realize like the more I’ve been playing, the more I’m like, okay, there’s actually something here, like I really like it, I think there’s a lot of opportunity, and then like the more you’re in that community, and talking, and like people reaching out, like you do like learn a bit more, so like about what’s happening in Australia, and like more nationally around New Zealand, rather than just locally, and like the Wellington community, and have just been really playing since then, and it was like right when I started playing was the World Cup in Peru, like the two years ago, I was like a witness to that happening, and definitely had FOMO, because I was like, oh man, that’s like so cool. 

Being in America, where it’s almost impossible to like represent your country on a global scale, because the competition is so high. I think that’s the opportunity that like New Zealand has offered, is like being a smaller country, and like most close, more close-knit, but like the experience to represent like a country that is like home, was, I was like, oh my gosh, I really want to do that, so that kind of, I kind of made that like a marker goal in my head, after I saw like the team performing at Peru, so I was like, I want to be on the World Cup team for New Zealand next year, so I guess that was kind of like the little goal I set, and I like wanted, like throughout the journey, I’m just kind of like testing out to see like how it goes, how it feels, and just like taking it step by step, like I set these little goals of like what I want, but like always just like seeing the process, and making sure I’m still enjoying it, and everything.

Chloe: That’s amazing. And when did you start competing?

Brittany: So, I played my first tournament, which was the Wellington Pickleball Cup, in February last year. That was my first tournament, and I was really skeptical at first, because I was like, this is only supposed to be something fun, like I never wanted any, like a sport to like take over my life again, like tennis, like I’ve already given so much to just one thing, so I didn’t know if I wanted to do that again, but I played the tournament obviously, I liked it, I guess there’s a little bit of competitiveness in me.

That first tournament, I got Golden Women Singles in the open, I think, oh okay, I’m trying to remember, sorry, Bronze and Mixed Doubles with my husband, and I think. It was really good experience, and like got to meet more people, and just see what it’s like, so yeah, that was my first tournament, and I think from then, I didn’t play too many last year, I played like maybe four or five, but like the next one after that was the PPA had, PPA Australia had a tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.

That was like my first, I guess it was a big jump, I was just like wanting to see what was out there, and I didn’t really, it’s hard to know what your level is just playing like locally in New Zealand, so I just wanted to see like the level was, and it was definitely, so I played that, and it was definitely a shock, because I just kind of went straight in for all like the pro events, and put myself out there, so like it was really good to experience, I really think I needed that, which was awesome, just to see like, because there were like people from America coming over, and it was tied in with MLP Australia too, so seeing that teams aspect of the event too, was like, like I will say during that tournament, I wasn’t the happiest little gal, it was just bad results and stuff, so just definitely wanted to do better.

There was still that aspect of like seeing what’s out there, and being like there is a part of me that wants that, so then from then on, was just kind of like training, and putting in the practices, and trying to see what tournaments we could play, and everything, so after that first PPA in New Zealand, we might have played some more, another local one maybe, but then went to Australia for a PPA, Australia tournament, and did well there. so that was really encouraging, and just like another step, I think in the right direction, all leading up towards like World Cup and stuff, and we had the New Zealand Open, just before World Cup, so that was also like a practice, and had really good results there, which I was really excited about.

Chloe: Love the determination. So the next tournament–the World Cup–how was it?

Brittany: It was so, so special. I’ve never been in like that kind of environment before, and just so cool to like wear your team shirts, but then see everyone else there, like just playing for the love of the sport, and just like so open to like talking, and meeting everyone, and like yeah, it’s competitive, and it’s pickleball, but it felt like so much more than that.

I guess some of the other teams from the other countries, like a lot of people actually live in the U.S., so they’re from country, but they’re there, but like I guess it was cool that like for the, I know for the Australia team as well, and New Zealand, like their selection process was like you had to be a New Zealand like citizen, and resident at the time, and so it was like we were all living in New Zealand, and traveled across to the U.S. to play this, so I think that was just like yeah, so cool to actually be a part of and felt so authentic. 

Chloe: You’re right, that does sound so special. And it’s so neat to hear what sets the New Zealand pickleball community apart. What else would you say makes kiwi pickleball unique? 

Brittany: I think everywhere, like the pickleball community is like so key, but I think especially in New Zealand, because it is a smaller country, like everyone does kind of know everyone, and like so supportive, like it’s not like so like everyone’s off doing like their own thing, like everyone’s pretty much aware of what’s happening with that, and helping each other grow, and like it is building together. 

I would say New Zealand– facility wise–might be a little bit late to the game, as far as they’re just now starting to get like their proper indoor court surfaces, and venues built up. There’s a few that have started, but primarily still very much on like the gym floors, like multiple courts, like indoor balls, so I will say it’s like a little bit behind in that way, but as far as like the passion, and like the love for it there, like that’s so strong and growing.

I felt so much support when we were playing in the World Cup. For instance, our team manager, he’s so good, Dylan, like just like a lover of Pickleball, he was live streaming all our games on the Pickleball New Zealand Association Facebook page, and everything, and everyone was watching, commenting, whether it was the middle of the night, early morning, and the community was so behind us. It felt like they were right here with us.

I’ve just been posting on like Facebook, and my stories, and stuff, and like people are still like messaging me, like good luck, and if I’m like on a live stream courts, they’re like we watched you Britt, and like, and it’s just like things like that, it’s you always like feel that love, and support like wherever you are, and I like see it all the time of like past players, past Kiwi players that are like living in Australia, or I’ve moved on, or doing other things, or like getting married, like live things, but I always see like someone from the Pickleball community always comments like this is like something like so positive, and lovely, and I’m like oh it just it doesn’t stop, which is really, really nice.

Chloe: That’s so sweet, and that’s awesome. I think that speaks to how unique the sport is, and maybe the New Zealand spirit too. You’ve talked about how pickleball hooked you compared to tennis, especially the social side. What else draws you to the game, and how did you make that shift? I saw on your Instagram that you’re still working traditional jobs while competing. What about pickleball makes you want to balance both and take the next steps?

Brittany: I think a lot of people are probably in the same situation, where it’s not quite at the point where you’d give everything up for it, and that’s probably the dream. What makes it worth it for me personally, I am enjoying it a lot, and I really see an opportunity. I love that I can be in something active and motivating that’s so enjoyable, and that there are things to strive for. I think it’s different being a woman in the sport at the moment. Realistically speaking, the men’s side to really make it is quite a bit tougher, especially with all the up-and-coming younger talent, and it’s just so competitive, which is amazing to see. My jaw drops watching some of the guys play. For women there is so much talent as well, but in general there is more opportunity in the landscape of it all.

I have a lifestyle tattoo that says “life is for living,” so it’s my little motto and reminder. Not only do you get to play a sport, but it opens up all these new places, people, and experiences that you wouldn’t otherwise get if you were just going to work and coming home every day. Yes, it’s a huge effort scheduling, doing all the logistics, the planning, flights, accommodation, and travel around everything, but once you’re doing it, you realize how rewarding it is. I haven’t done that much travel for it yet, but this year will be the year I really see how things unfold and go for it. So far, even just with this trip, it’s been so cool, because wherever you go, you know what the pickleball community is like, so it’s so rewarding and the new experiences are part of it. I’m hoping my husband and I will be able to do some things together this year, whether it’s Australia, Asia, or somewhere else. The idea that there are new experiences ahead because of pickleball really aligns with what we value and what we want out of life at the moment.

Chloe: That’s so cool. You mentioned the World Cup and making memories through pickleball. Since your first tournament, what have been your favorite memories, on or off the court?

Brittany: Honestly, the World Cup experience definitely was a highlight, but there aren’t really pinpoint moments. It always feels good to win or medal, but that’s quite a temporary feeling. You kind of just move on to the next tournament. For me, it’s more the overall journey that really lands. It’s only been a little over a year, and how much I’ve already grown, experienced, and changed because of it. The most memorable part, the bigger highlight, is the growth and the experience that come from all of the little moments.

Chloe: I love that. Shifting away from pickleball for a second, you grew up in the U.S. and moved to New Zealand and became a citizen. What cultural differences or culture shocks stood out to you?

Brittany: I can only speak for my personal experiences, and being back and forth quite a bit over the years, I’ve become aware of different things. It’s all based on what you see, what you value, and how you want to live. Both places are very much home to me. I feel very split and love them both.

In New Zealand, it truly is a different type of lifestyle. I lived in Virginia for college, but really grew up in Georgia, so that’s where my U.S. experience comes from. In New Zealand, the access to nature makes such a big difference to how you live. Your environment really shapes how you live wherever you are. In Atlanta and even in the suburbs, it’s very much on-the-go living. You’re working, there’s lots of entertainment and food options, and it’s centered more around work and career.

Whereas in New Zealand, it’s a slower pace of living. It’s not a place to go if you’re expecting endless opportunities everywhere. The access to nature is a game changer. People are out and about, active and healthy, and it’s a very peaceful place to live for the most part. There are a few big cities, but even those aren’t that big compared to a U.S. city. Having that space really impacts your brain in general. Every place has pros and cons, but New Zealand feels more peaceful and simple. There’s still innovation and inspiration around, but your day-to-day life feels quite different than being in Atlanta or another U.S. city.

I feel like experiencing something different opens up your mind in so many ways. If I had never left and just stayed in one place, there’s no way I’d be the person I am today. Experiencing both has shaped me in a completely different way. I appreciate having both experiences because it’s widened my perspective and helped me explore what I really value.