Township Volunteers are holding children’s pickleball clinics at Fasola tennis courts in Gloucester, NJ.
Fasola Park
The Deptford Parks and Recreation Department is currently hosting pickleball clinics for kids in Deptford Memorial Park – also known as Fasola Park.
This is the second consecutive year for the clinics, which teach kids pickleball basics, like the rules, how to hold and handle a paddle properly, and how to serve.
“We offered a four-week program last year, and this year is even better,” said recreation director Charles Kirchner. “We have it for kids between 8 to 12 years old. Last year, we had around 20 kids; this year, we have 35.”
Volunteers from the township pickleball club founded in 2018 are instructing the children. The lessons take place on the tennis courts on the lower level of Fasola Park.
“Eight Beautiful Courts”
“There are eight beautiful courts that the mayor and council put in last year,” said Kirchner. “There’s a total of 16 instructors, so two for each court. They (members) volunteered their time to help instruct the kids.”
Kids can either take along their own equipment or it is supplied for them. Each participant receives a Deptford Pickleball shirt!
Kirchner had the idea for the classes last year. He said: “We do similar (sessions) for our other programs, like basketball and wrestling,” he noted. “So, I thought, ‘Why don’t we do a clinic for kids?’”
The outdoor courts are open until November 1st, after which the classes will move inside.
Deptford Pickleball
Deptford Pickleball started off in 2018 with only seven club members, but this number has now grown to about 100. The township seniors make up the bulk of the membership.
Fasola Park is part of the Deptford Township park system and incorporates a playground and splash pad. It is located at 12 Sycamore Lane, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
The South Jersey Pickleball Scene
Pickleball is certainly popular in “South Jersey.” The Stone Harbor Pickleball Classic will take place there on the weekend of August 5th and 6th. The tournament comprises three categories – Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles – and four divisions – 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 – divided into two age groups of 19 to 49 and 50+. Book your place here.
The Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club at 1820 Old Cuthbert Rd, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, has over 3.500 members. It provides indoor classes for beginners and intermediates for between $10 and $25.
Contact details: Text only – 609-922-2534 or email [email protected]
River Road Pickleball Complex holds events every Saturday at 9am EDT until September 30th. Click here for more information.
The Seger Park Pickleball and Tennis meetup happen every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday (weather permitting) from 6pm until October 25th. More details are available here.
Berlin Park is holding a Pickleball Grand Opening with County and Berlin Officials on Thursday, July 28th, at 3pm UTC.
Come along and thank the County, whether you’re playing then or not. The organizer, Howard Eichenbaum, wants at least 30 people there! Click here for more details.
This article mentions how Shore Mall in New Jersey recently converted a former Burlington store space into a dedicated pickleball facility.
