As we have seen recently, pickleball is adding to its established demographic of sixties and over and is proving to be a big hit in our universities.
Gaining A Foothold
Well, its reach is growing ever larger as there are reports it is also gaining a foothold in some elementary schools.
This trend is evident at Woodall Elementary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where second-grade students led by Jaylee Copeland have utterly embraced the sport. Teachers love it as an enjoyable means to keep children physically engaged.
Jaylee explains to News9, “We’re not quite working on hitting it out of the air yet because we are just practicing right now.”
The curriculum extends beyond basic techniques like serving, hitting, volleying, and approaching the net. It emphasizes essential values such as effective communication and good sportsmanship.
“Definitely Addictive”
Jaylee underscores the importance of trying, even if success isn’t immediate: “You have to try to hit the ball, but if you can’t, it’s ok,”
Coach Ronessa Warren, who introduced pickleball to the school, reflects on her own journey, saying, “I had never heard of it this time last year. I fell in love with it. It’s definitely addictive.”
Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm for the sport has been particularly gratifying for Coach Warren.
“I just am really excited that I get to share this not only with the students but our community,” she said.
“I know some of the students are excited to see their parents become active and to bring them into something they really enjoy.”
West Palm Beach, FL
The newfound passion for pickleball extends beyond Oklahoma. At Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach, Florida, a group of approximately 40 students recently had the chance to try out $2,000 worth of new pickleball equipment generously donated by PHIT America.
The paddles, nets, and balls kept the students busy in the gym for hours.
Physical Inactivity
Jim Baugh, the president of PHIT America, underscores the significance of getting kids active: “The big picture issue in the U.S. today is physical inactivity.”
It’s a pandemic, and physical inactivity is negatively impacting health care costs, academic achievement, life expectancy, and military readiness,”
Limited Budgets
In light of the limited budgets allocated to physical education programs in most schools, PHIT America aims to supplement resources by providing pickleball equipment.
This initiative has garnered interest from numerous P.E. teachers in Palm Beach County. Beyond physical fitness, researchers emphasize the multifaceted benefits of P.E. classes, including instilling discipline, fostering peer relationships, alleviating stress, cultivating goal-setting skills, and ultimately enhancing academic performance.
Embracing An Active Lifestyle
PHIT America’s mission extends beyond meeting Florida‘s educational requirements.
They aspire to encourage children to step away from electronic devices and embrace an active lifestyle.
This endeavor aligns with their broader goal of placing pickleball systems in 25 schools across Martin and Palm Beach counties in the coming year.
