Pickleball Magazine 3-3 Courtesy of Pickleball Tournaments

AROUND THE WORLD Growing the Game in Belgium F or the past eight years, Merv Olive (a USAPA ambassador for Spotsylvania, VA), and his wife, traveled to Leuvan, Belgium, to visit their daughter and three grandsons during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons. A few years ago, Merv decided to surf the web for pickleball in Europe. He found a group of enthusiastic pickleball players in Wallonia, Belgium. The organizer and instructor in Belgium is Kassandra Bourgeois, assisted by Jon-Luc and Marioline Bonsignore. The group plays every Wednesday evening from 8 to 10 p.m. at Athen`ee Royal de Jodoigne and every Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon at Hall Sportif Grez-Doiceau. Newcomers to pickleball are taught during the Sunday session in one of four courts. The cost to play is five euros or a little more than $6. The predominant language spoken in Wallonia is French, but pickleball successfully crosses cultures and languages, as Merv did not have any problems communicating with the other players. Games are played to 9 for quicker rotation, and changing partners is a mutual agreement between players prior to the start of action. The Belgium players, many converted tennis players, thoroughly enjoy playing with an American who displays a fine, all-around game, especially dinking and drop shots. Earlier this year, Merv and his wife said their "au revoir, jusqu'a` prochain an" or "goodbye, until next year" 68 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM and Merv presented them with a token of their appreciation—four Onyx Pure 2 indoor pickleballs. Without question, pickleball is gaining popularity abroad as evidenced by the Olive’s annual visit to Belgium. As Merv explains, “Their attitude of gamesmanship, sportsmanship and love of the sport are positive attributes to the sport of pickleball. I look forward to seeing them again very soon.” • dle Global Pad s Share Help ed eg Underprivil Kids Play Pickleball! program e Share is a dl ad P l ba lo G ddles to pickleball pa providing free kids can’t re untries whe co in s m ra prog ies Global e first countr Th . em th rd affo are Somoa wants to help re ha S e dl Pad pines. and the Philip ddles to the d or used pa ol ur yo ng ri B l Pickleball Internationa r io en S er Sup tournament IPA) booth at S (S on ti ia Assoc near you!

Pickleball Magazine 3-3 Courtesy of Pickleball Tournaments | Page 70