Junior pickleball continues to blaze a trail across the nation, with more and more states picking up on the sport. Here, we investigate two examples of how South Carolina and Washington are initiating programs to benefit their younger participants.
Mecklenburg, South Carolina
The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department of Charlotte, South Carolina, is inaugurating a youth pickleball league in mid-April. Aimed at middle and high school pupils, registration for this co-rec league is open through March 1.
Showing Off Their Pickleball Skills!
The league will be held at Clanton Park at 1520 Clanton Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208, and will run for eight weeks.
Players will have plenty of time to learn, show off their new pickleball skills, and make new friends along the way!
No experience is necessary – the classes are open to everyone, even those who have never picked up a paddle before. Pickleball is for all youth!
The Park and Recreation Department will be hosting two youth pickleball leagues: one for those aged 11 to 14 and the other for 15 to 18-year-olds.
The course will run from April 16 to June 6 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All Skill Levels
These recreation leagues are for players of all skill levels (played as “doubles”). Safety, fun, and skill development, based on maximum participation and sportsmanship, are the primary focus for the students.
Players will also participate in a winner-take-all single-elimination postseason tournament.
For more information, contact Mecklenburg County Youth Sports at 980-314-1118 or email [email protected].
Places Going Fast!
Practices and games will be held on the same day: Tuesdays and Thursdays. All players will have 30-60 minutes of coaching instruction (if needed) during open play/practice prior to the start of games each day.
Fees are $40 for residents or $48 for non-residents. If you miss the registration cut-off, a $10 surcharge is applicable. The cost includes the uniform and the postseason award.
Only 12 openings were still available at the time of writing.
Spokane Public Schools
This summer brings good news for enthusiasts of Washington’s official sport! Spokane Public Schools is set to convert several high school tennis courts into pickleball courts, especially for students, staff, and the local community.
The public schools body has also pointed out that these courts will continue to be available for tennis enthusiasts as well.
Spokane To Have 14 New Courts
The district’s preliminary plan includes the conversion of one tennis court each at Rogers, Shadle Park, and North Central high schools and two courts at Ferris and Lewis and Clark high schools. This initiative will introduce a total of 14 pickleball courts to Spokane.
While the details regarding reservations and a timeline are pending, spokesperson Ryan Lancaster mentioned that the district aims to mark the courts with tape or paint lines as soon as weather conditions permit, likely during the upcoming spring or summer.
The demand for more accessible and neighborhood-friendly pickleball locations has been steadily increasing in Spokane. This surge in popularity has directly coincided with the sport being designated Washington’s official state sport in 2022.
“A Real Pickup”
Le’Andra Meyers, the coordinator for fitness, athletics, and after-school programs at the district, told The Spokesman-Review, “I noticed a real pickup about the time pickleball became our state sport. I don’t know if that’s the entire cause; it being a low-impact sport you can do indoors and outdoors is also a draw in Spokane.”
Pickleball is not only gaining traction in the wider community; it is also making its way into schools, and some schools, including Ferris High School, Woodridge, and Ridgeview Elementary Schools, already host pickleball clubs.
The unified sports program, where general education and special education students play together, will incorporate pickleball this spring. Moreover, health and fitness teachers are opting to include the sport in their curriculum.
Truly Palpable
According to Meyers, the interest in pickleball among students and staff members is truly palpable. The cost of retrofitting existing tennis courts is minimal, with the district covering expenses for tape or paint to demarcate lines on the courts and provide necessary equipment.
“Both our students and our adults – our staff members – are very interested in pickleball right now,” said Meyers.
