Pickleball is becoming the fastest-growing sport on the continent, and the newly opened Pickle Point Centre in Lethbridge is showcasing its accessibility for people with physical limitations. The centre aims to provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy the game, highlighting why more people are joining the sport.
Benefits of Pickleball for Everyone
Ilsa Wong, head coach at Pickle Point Centre, emphasizes the benefits of pickleball for individuals who may struggle with more demanding sports like tennis.
“We already have rules for wheelchair pickleball. In the past, I’ve done a session with the Special Olympics, so there are lots of people of all abilities who can jump on a court and we can teach them some aspects of pickleball.” – (Ilsa Wong)
The sport can be modified to accommodate different skill levels, making it accessible to a broader audience.
“Maybe they’re not playing a game, but they’re playing a version of pickleball where they’re putting the ball over the net or they’re hitting targets.” – (Ilsa Wong)
Adaptive Coaching Techniques
Coaches at Pickle Point adapt their pickleball lessons based on the players’ abilities. Wong mentions,
“If a player is having trouble getting to a ball, we might say, ‘okay, we’re going to play with two bounces.’ So you get two bounces, and everybody else plays with one bounce.” – (Ilsa Wong)
This flexibility ensures that everyone can participate and enjoy the game together.
“So there’s ways that we can modify the sport, which is also nice, that allow people of all abilities to play in the same context or court as everybody else.” – (Ilsa Wong)
Engaging the Community with Inclusive Sports
Julian Sanchez, another coach at the centre, believes that including players with physical limitations is essential.
“Bringing people with limitations would open people’s minds to see how lovely this sport can be.” – (Julian Sanchez)
He highlights the importance of showcasing the sport’s inclusive nature, allowing more people to experience the joy of playing pickleball.
“And bringing (those) kind of people would allow us to show more people what pickleball is about.” – (Julian Sanchez)
Accessible and Low-Impact Gameplay
Pickleball combines elements of badminton and ping pong, played on a smaller court than tennis. Wong explains,
“The whiffle ball is a smaller, lighter ball that we’re hitting… so you don’t need as much strength as you might in some other sports.” – (Ilsa Wong)
The game requires less physical speed and strength, making it easier on the body. Sanchez adds,
“The stress on the joints is very low, which makes it very accessible for all ages.” – (Julian Sanchez)
“It also improves cardiovascular health, it helps agility, it helps balance as well. So I think that accessibility is really, really what encourages a lot of new players to come into the sport.” – (Julian Sanchez)
Potential for Competitive Play
Players can engage in more competitive formats as they improve, such as King and Queen ladders and tournaments at the centre. Shaun Wojtowicz, a player, notes,
“Pickleball’s a sport that you can get reasonably good at in a short amount of time.” – (Shaun Wojtowicz)
However, he emphasizes that mastering the game still requires patience and dedication.
“it takes a lot of time and patience and work to get really good at it.” – (Shaun Wojtowicz)
Pickle Point Centre is located at 1820 31st Street N. in Lethbridge, welcoming players of all abilities to experience the benefits of pickleball in a supportive environment.
News in Brief: Pickle Point Centre
The newly opened Pickle Point Centre in Lethbridge is promoting pickleball as an inclusive sport for individuals with physical limitations. Head coach Ilsa Wong emphasizes the game’s accessibility, offering adaptive coaching techniques for all skill levels.
With low-impact gameplay and opportunities for competitive play, the centre aims to engage the community and showcase the benefits of pickleball for everyone.
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