Massachusetts High Schools Join the Pickleball Revolution: Earlier this year, a youth movement for pickleball emerged in Maryland. Now, high school students in Massachusetts are eager to grab their paddles and join the action.
The Launch of the League
A groundbreaking pilot program has launched in Western Massachusetts, introducing the region’s first-ever high school pickleball league. This initiative aims to unite high schoolers in a competitive yet fun environment.
Lia O’Brien, a freshman and one of the league’s inaugural pickleball players, discovered the program during her summer break. With the school year in full swing, she is thrilled about the friendships she’s built and the competitive spirit she’s experienced on the courts.
“It’s really fun having a connection through a new sport and it’s fun to see how other people play, and the competition’s fun, too.” – (O’Brien)
Growing Interest Among Students
Kyle Dulude, athletic coordinator at Westfield Technical Academy, has embraced this unique opportunity to introduce pickleball to his students. He recounted the overwhelming enthusiasm when he introduced the league: many students expressed eagerness to participate.
“I talked to some of the kids at school during class, and they’re like, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it. I’ll do it.’ So we had a lot of interest, and the kids really took off with it.” – (Dulude)
The excitement has already translated into participation, with 20 students forming the team, alongside participation from three other schools: Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion, South Hadley High School, and Springfield International Charter. The league’s games started on 14 courts behind Westfield Tech, including eight newly installed ones that offer a fresh playing surface.
A Look Ahead: Varsity Aspirations
The league’s coach, Ron Nadeau of Westfield Technical Academy, has set his sights on transforming pickleball into a varsity sport within Massachusetts. With a promising start, his team boasts a 2-0 record, showing the potential for this pilot program to inspire more young athletes to embrace a rapidly growing sport.
“I’m very impressed, actually. Getting an opportunity to see other teams and how well they play or don’t play, and I think our team is doing very well. We’re off to a 2-0 record so far, so we’re hoping that we can continue success and impress our community.” – (Nadeau)
Future Plans
With games lined up for Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of October, the hope is that this league serves as a launching pad for pickleball’s recognition as an MIAA varsity sport in the next one to three years.
The excitement is noticeable— which high school will be next to pick up a pickleball paddle? The community is eager to find out.
News in Brief: Massachusetts High Schools Join the Pickleball Revolution
Massachusetts has launched its first-ever high school pickleball league, uniting students in a competitive environment. The pilot program features participation from four schools, with 20 students already on board. Coach Ron Nadeau aims to make pickleball a varsity sport, supported by a promising 2-0 record.
Games are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays through October, with hopes for official MIAA recognition within three years. The enthusiasm among students signals a bright future for pickleball in high schools across the state.
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