When I talk about community involvement, I don’t mean just showing up with a camera. I mean immersing myself until I can feel the soul of a place. For Shifting Courts, that meant becoming part of the Bali Pickleball community long before pressing «record.»
I met Lance, the creator of the courts, a day before diving in. I told him I was looking for a small, cinematic story.
What I found was a man with a profound social mission. Lance didn’t just build a sports club; he built a sanctuary.
He started with a single court and a simple dream: to create a space where everyone belongs. Seeing him now with four courts, you realize his pride doesn’t come from the facility itself, but from the joy and the social impact he has sparked.
Lance showed me more than just the courts. He showed me the pride of building something from nothing—from a single court to a thriving hub fueled by pure enthusiasm.
I spent hours there: playing pickleball, meeting the people, observing what made the place special.
The real heartbeat of the club was something I didn’t expect.
The Kids.
No shared language, just gestures and smiles. At seven years old, in his flip-flops and with a paddle in hand, he was the king of the court. In Amed, the courts were never empty; they were a sanctuary that belonged to the kids from sunrise to sunset.
I’d expected locals, sure, and some foreigners, but these little kids — tiny, barefoot, and just starting out — were already incredible players. Hours and hours of practice, and all they did was smile, laugh, enjoy themselves. It reminded me of my own childhood, playing outside with friends, with adults around who somehow represented safety, protection, guidance.
Then there was Steven. Steven has a disability, and his role at the club wasn’t just to help, he was the heart of it. Always giving hugs, spreading warmth, making everyone feel at home.
Watching the kids and Steven, I realized what this club really was: a place where children could grow, and where people like Steven could belong. That’s the story I immediately wanted to tell.
Steven wears the Bali Pickleball shirt with a pride that words can’t describe. He found in the club a place where he truly belongs. In return, the club found its own heart in him. He is the pulse, the warmth, and the reminder that community is built on love, not just points.
The interactions were unforgettable. Steven hugged me every day. The kids wanted to play with me constantly. We’d play until nine, nine-thirty at night, long after the foreigners had left. I was drenched in sweat, barely had clothes to change, but I’d be back the next morning. The bond, the joy, the human connection — it was incredible.
What did I learn about working in a different cultural environment? It’s about giving: talking, sharing, opening yourself up to build trust. It’s about being extroverted, listening, understanding not just the language but their dreams, their routines, their expectations. It’s about noticing, quietly, what makes the place tick.
This experience has left a mark on me.
It’s a place I would return to a hundred thousand times.
Now, as I prepare to become a father, I look forward to bringing my child there, to introduce them to these wonderful people and the spirit of the club.
