Pickleball Thrives in Southern Oregon: Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the United States, is drawing more players to the courts in Southern Oregon. The sport, invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island by Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell, was designed for all ages and has become a favorite pastime in parks across the region.
A Sport for All Ages and Abilities
The Southern Oregon Pickleball Association (SOPA) is dedicated to growing the sport by organizing classes, tournaments, and events for players of all skill levels. SOPA President Deann Winter emphasizes the game’s inclusivity.
“That’s the best thing about pickleball, you can be 5 and you can be 85. No matter what your differences are, everybody can just get along and have fun and interact on the pickleball court in a positive way.” – (Deann Winter)
SOPA provides essential equipment, including nets, and offers regular opportunities for players to engage in the game.
A Game That Transforms Lives
For many players, pickleball is more than just a sport—it’s a source of healing, social connection, and physical fitness. Pickleball instructor Nancy Mansfield turned to the game after experiencing personal loss.
“What I was able to do was balance my grief with my joy and rediscover joy and get out in the community. I was isolating and staying at home so pickleball really helped me not only get feeling better emotionally but physically.” – (Nancy Mansfield)
For Dean Paddison, an active player, pickleball played a crucial role in his health recovery.
“One it gets me active, gets me out of my house, gets me up and running, running around. The community aspect of it, the social aspects. I had open heart surgery last year and while I was in the hospital, several of my pickleball community showed up at the hospital to wish me well.” – (Dean Paddison)
Megan Nyone, another player, found pickleball beneficial during her pregnancy and recovery.
“It was great for my mental and physical health – staying physically active the whole time. I think it did make my delivery and my recovery easier and it’s also been a big motivator to get moving postpartum as well.” – (Megan Nyone)
Encouraging New Players to Join
The welcoming community at SOPA encourages newcomers to try the sport, highlighting its accessibility and engaging nature.
“There’s no one I’ve met that’s tried it that hated it. Everybody seems to get hooked and it’s a great way to have fun, meet people, and be active.” – (Megan Nyone)
With its growing popularity, pickleball continues to bring people together, offering a fun and inclusive way to stay active.
News in Brief: Pickleball Thrives in Southern Oregon
The Southern Oregon Pickleball Association (SOPA) is welcoming new players to the fast-growing sport of pickleball. The game, open to all ages, has helped many players find joy, social connection, and better health. SOPA provides equipment, organizes tournaments, and encourages everyone to try the sport.
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