Pickleball Magazine 3-4 Courtesy of Pickleball Guru | Page 36

H
ow do you grow
pickleball in
a new area?
Every community
is unique when it
comes to dynamics
and resources,
but here are some practical
guidelines for growing a
pickleball program that have
proven successful. Best of all,
this sport is so much fun, it
practically grows itself!
Start with what’s available and doable
Round up a few friends and find a lonely
tennis net. Adjust the height, chalk or tape
some lines, pull out the paddles and play!
Get the city involved—ask for painted lines
on city courts.
If funds are available for portable nets,
most tennis courts can accommodate two
to four pickleball courts. More courts bring
more players.
For indoor play, find a recreation center
that will welcome pickleball during their
slow times. With a little effort to tape lines
and set up a portable net, pickleball can
fill an otherwise empty gym and provide
additional revenue to the facility.
Establish a strong network
BRINGING IT
HOME!
BY RUTH SENNEFF
34
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Designate a strong leader
who will collect contact
information from players and
keep everyone in the loop via
text or email.
Communicate outside your group about
any practical issues that arise. The USAPA
website is informative, and its Ambassador
Forum provides a wealth of knowledge
from experienced pickleball veterans
who have been-there-done-that. (USAPA
membership and Ambassador applications
are also available on the website.) Several
other pickleball forums can be accessed
online. These resources will be very useful
as growth occurs.