Browsing: Pickleball News

A new development is poised to transform the pickleball landscape in New Jersey. Plans for a new court and arena complex at the former Robbinsville Fieldhouse in Robbinsville, New Jersey, are scheduled to commence this spring. Twenty Cutting-Edge Courts According to their press release, the ambitious project, aptly named The Robbinsville Pickle House, will contain 20 cutting-edge courts, making it the largest pickleball venue in the northeast. New Jersey is set to be spoilt for choice when it comes to huge pickleball facilities. In February, we reported on plans to open another 20-court facility 50 miles northeast in Wayne in…

When it comes to the expansion of pickleball across the globe, Africa has been “a sleeping giant”. While a handful of pickleball clubs could be found in metropolitan areas, the majority of African nations have lagged far behind due to the absence of governance, trainers and equipment. A New Milestone However, at the recent 13th African Games, the Confederation of African Pickleball (CAP) and Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) changed that dynamic, achieving a new milestone in their collective mission to grow pickleball as a competitive sport across all of Africa. Currently representing approximately 95 percent of pickleball players worldwide, the…

Carling Bassett met Robert Seguso’s introduction at the 1986 French Open. He, a young tennis talent, crossed paths with Carling, already the seasoned pro. She had turned pro three years prior at the tender age of 18 and was just starting to flex her tennis muscles by reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Really Devastating Carling’s performance at Roland Garros left an impression on Seguso, who reached the third round. She reached the fourth round, even though she was grieving her father’s recent passing due to brain cancer. “She always talked about…

The Staten Island pickleball community rallied together for the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island earlier this month for a good cause: to support the Lucille & Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp, Staten Island. Double Last Year’s Numbers Sponsored by Mei Chi Liquors, the second annual charity pickleball tournament fundraiser surpassed all expectations, with 72 players attending, double the previous year’s attendance. In an atmosphere full of camaraderie and friendly competition, participants of all skill levels took part in matches in recreational, intermediate, and advanced categories. Click here for more of our articles about pickleball fundraisers. Orit Lender,…

In the autumn of last year, a nationwide search was launched to scout top-tier pickleball players for the reality show “Pickleball Paddle Battle.” Sixteen contenders are poised to vie for the ultimate prize—a coveted professional sponsorship. “Trick Shot Maestro” Among the contenders is Keven Wong, hailing from Oʻahu, 13 miles northwest of Honolulu. Wong started his pickleball journey in 2017 and has since become known as the “trick shot maestro” on the local pickleball circuit. Recalling his rather serendipitous first encounter with the sport, Wong reminisces, “One day, a bunch of guys from church asked if I wanted to go…

USA Pickleball, the sport’s National Governing Body, has announced the launch of its official charitable arm, “USA Pickleball Serves.” The announcement comes ahead of National Pickleball Month in April. USA Pickleball Serves USA Pickleball Serves has been created to support community pickleball programs such as educational initiatives for youth, improvements to courts and inclusive play. Mike Nealy, USA Pickleball’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “It is our pleasure to launch the charitable branch of USA Pickleball – USA Pickleball Serves. This is an opportunity to serve communities around the country on and off the court. “USA Pickleball Serves is a platform…

The Dolphin Foundation will host its annual pickleball tournament fundraiser, “Pickleball for the Pod,” on April 20 on Dana Hills High School tennis courts in Dana Point, California, about 50 miles south of Los Angeles. Fundraising Initiatives Every year, The Dolphin Foundation, a parent-operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, holds fundraising initiatives and investigates various avenues to gather funds for Dana Hills High School. Presently, the group’s focus is on attracting contributions to convert the school’s library into a versatile learning hub. This center aims to cater to diverse student needs and accommodate varied learning techniques. Its establishment promises to improve the…

The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) have decided on a name and logo for the parent company the two sides formed when they officially merged last month: United Pickleball Association. The two bodies will combine under the name United Pickleball Association. The rebrand was handled in-house. A Drawn-Out Saga The two bodies finished the much-anticipated merger negotiations in late February following a drawn-out saga that saw a bidding war for top players threaten the leagues’ financial viability. Several key leaders, such as top dog and founder Steve Kuhn and Commissioner Brooks Wiley, decided to leave the…

Naples JBB United’s owner, Bob Strommen, is bullish about the National Pickleball League’s imminent second season. “We’re fully geared up for another great year,” he said in reference to the prospects for his team, which formed part of the inaugural season of the NPL. Escalating Popularity Strommen also says the league is similar to the PGA’s Tour Champions circuit in that it features players aged 50 and above worldwide. In 2023, the franchises involved included Austin, Denver, Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, and Boca Raton. However, as we reported here, due to the sport’s escalating popularity, the league has magnified its scope…

One of North America’s leading indoor pickleball chains, The Picklr, has released a new commercial featuring NFL icon and Picklr franchise owner Drew Brees. This spot plays on the theme of “Everything’s Better At The Picklr”. Quite A Name For Itself The Picklr is making a name for itself with its humorous and catchy ads. You may remember October’s offering, “Winner Stays On,” with the eclectic quartet of gymnast, grandma, hipster with headband, and youngster with backward baseball cap duking it out on the court while the infectious Big Mood by Y2 plays in the background. The clip attracted over…