Browsing: Pickleball News

The inaugural edition of the Ultimate Pickleball Championship has attracted registrations from over 350 athletes spanning India, Africa, and North America. This event, organized by Pro World Talent Sports in collaboration with the All India Pickleball Association, is scheduled to take place in Mumbai from September 29 to October 1.  Primary Objective The primary objective of the tournament is to stimulate international competition and bolster the prominence of pickleball within the country. Teams representing a diverse array of countries, including China, Singapore, Nepal, Dubai, Tanzania, the United States of America, and others, are preparing to participate, thereby elevating the competition…

We’ve all read how pickleball is gaining popularity around the globe – and Canberra is no exception. You can practice pickleball at several locations across Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government venues, including the Belconnen Community Centre and Namadgi School in Kambah. “Fun! Satisfying! Addictive!” Stuart Campbell, the President of Pickleball ACT, has been a huge fan of the sport since 2018. He characterizes it as “Fun! Satisfying! Addictive!” and notes that there are approximately 300 enthusiasts in Canberra, a number that is steadily on the rise. He adds, “In the last three months, Pickleball ACT had over 1,400 attendances at…

Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced that Steve Kuhn will become a minority owner in the majority of its teams. A Steady Hand Steve Kuhn established Major League Pickleball (MLP) in 2021 and has since guided the league with a steady hand, resulting in impressive growth within a mere two years.  Recently, MLP and the PPA Tour made a joint announcement regarding their intention to merge, creating a unified entity in the realm of pickleball.  Kuhn will be sharing ownership stakes in the new team with his longstanding management team and advisors. This amalgamated organization is poised to offer players,…

The University of Mississippi has incorporated pickleball into its recreational offerings, converting three tennis courts into eight new pickleball courts situated behind its Turner Center.  A Positive Uptake Jason Shirkey, associate director of campus recreation, reports positive uptake among students, faculty, and staff: “You’re seeing traffic pick up now, and as we get the word out there and information starts being passed on campus, it will take off, more people will start playing, and it will start getting crowded. “The athletes are playing; the soccer team plays; some of the baseball guys are playing. It’s a pretty popular sport, even…

The Lake Oswego and Willamette River pickleball clubs, together with Down Syndrome Network Oregon, teamed up for an unforgettable event when they organized a landmark event at Hammerle Park, West Linn for 16 teenagers with Down syndrome. Neglect In Outreach Areas According to event organizers, teenagers with Down syndrome are often overlooked in outreach programs or simply marginalized. These characteristics made them ideal candidates for this event, conceived by Beth Corey and Pat Hogan. “This event was specifically tailored for the older kids and young adults,” Hogan emphasized to Chris Hockman of Red Line Editorial, Inc. and writing for usapickleball.org.…

Steve Deakin, now a highly-regarded figure in the pickleball community, initially started his sports journey as a competitive tennis player. However, an unfortunate shoulder injury forced him to relinquish his tennis aspirations. What was tennis’ loss was pickleball’s gain. Embracing The Paddle In 2017, Deakin’s father introduced him to pickleball as a viable alternative. Embracing the paddle, Deakin found an instant connection to the sport and never looked back. He recollects, “I reside in Pitt Meadows, a charming town just beyond Vancouver, renowned for its thriving pickleball community.” A visit to the local recreation center marked the inception of Deakin’s pickleball…

Utah-based company The Picklr is set to make its mark across the nation, capitalizing on the strong demand for indoor pickleball facilities. A Significant Expansion With seven corporate-owned facilities, The Picklr is rapidly expanding its franchising efforts, targeting 80 facilities across 11 states, including Illinois, in the initial phase of a significant expansion. Scott Schubiger, Chief Growth Officer, spoke enthusiastically about the overwhelming interest, stating, “We’re just inundated with interest. The market is really, really excited about what we’re bringing.” The company plans to repurpose vacant large retail spaces in Mundelein, Naperville, and Villa Park, with anticipated openings in December.…

On a pleasant evening in Tucson, the Robson Tennis Center at the University of Arizona is the backdrop for a competitive session of pickleball. “Win And Split” “Tonight, we are going to be doing something a little different,” states Michael McDonald, President of the University of Arizona’s pickleball club. “We’re going to be doing something called win and split. People are honestly pretty impressive out here,” observes sophomore Erica Dewey. “I think the competition is going to be tough.” Dewey, who lived down the hall from Michael last year during their freshman year, shares her perspective. “They were like, you…

Kim Copeland and Susan Swern, residents of Boulder County, Colorado, began their pickleball journey in May of last year with simple intentions: to learn a new sport, connect socially, and stay active amidst the challenges of Covid. Like Releasing A Huge Breath Of Air Copeland, 62, reflects, “It felt so good. It was like releasing a huge breath of air you didn’t even know you had been holding.” As their group expanded from 10 to 30 women, the two, who identify as lesbian, envisioned something larger: a space for pickleball that was inclusive and could also become a business. And,…

The USA Pickleball National Championships is considered to be one of the most prestigious annual events for pickleball. This year, it is estimated that about 4,000 amateur and professional players will participate in the week-long event hosted at the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas. Players of a wide variety of skill levels and backgrounds will compete, which is part of what makes this such a special event. One such player is 79-year-old Larry Roberts, a retired attorney living in Lexington, Kentucky. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brookhaven Country Club (@brookhaven_country_club) Roberts started playing pickleball…