Nashville Church League’s Pickleball Program: A group of volunteers from Woodmont Christian Church spent the 2024–2025 school year helping teach pickleball to third and fourth graders at Fall-Hamilton Elementary in Nashville, Tennessee. Physical Education teacher Jackson Hauser led the program, with help from experienced players who donated equipment and their time.
Volunteers Bring Pickleball to School Kids
Teaching a new sport to energetic fourth graders can be tough. But Jackson Hauser, who teaches Physical Education at Fall-Hamilton Elementary, didn’t have to do it alone.
He got help from a church pickleball league, whose members joined his gym classes to teach the kids how to play. The effort made a big difference throughout the school year. “When we’re playing, try your best to stay in your area,” shouted Jackson Hauser as the children practiced on the court.
A Church Member Serves Up the Idea
The idea to bring pickleball to the school came from Jim Thomas. He plays the sport with a group from Woodmont Christian Church. He thought it could be fun and helpful for the students.
“It’s a gray hair, I mean it’s a blue hair — it’s popular with the blue hairs at my church, and that’s kind of what inspired me to think, well this might be a fit for Fall-Hamilton.” – (Jim Thomas)
Thomas decided to turn his idea into action. He asked other players at his church to help out and applied for a grant.
“I applied for a grant and we got the nets and paddles from U.S.A. Pickleball. So we started with third and fourth graders. The fifth graders were a little unruly so they were eliminated.” – (Jim Thomas)
Students Learn More Than Just Pickleball
Fourth grader Kylie Jakes had never heard of pickleball before this school year. “I did not even know it was a sport,” said Kylie Jakes.
Even though she still feels new to the game, she’s enjoying the chance to learn. We asked her if she felt like she was good at pickleball. “No. No offense to me, but oh no,” said Kylie Jakes.
She shared how much she appreciates the one-on-one help from volunteers. “They do a one on one so we can do more things, and not just do it on our own,” said Kylie Jakes.
Gratitude from the Students
At the end of a recent lesson, the whole class gave a special chant to thank the church volunteers. “Thank you for Pickleball Pickleball Pickleball, Thank you for Pickleball, We love Pickleball, Whoosh,” the class shouted in unison.
Jim Thomas, who helped start the program, said the students’ joy shows how much they’ve enjoyed it. “They seem to enjoy this,” said Jim Thomas. “So far, so good.”
This project helped students try a new sport while building confidence, teamwork, and community connections. With strong support from volunteers, Fall-Hamilton Elementary gave kids a new reason to look forward to gym class.
News in Brief: Nashville Church League’s Pickleball Program
A Nashville church league teamed up with Fall-Hamilton Elementary to teach pickleball to third and fourth graders. Led by Jackson Hauser and Jim Thomas, the program offered equipment, lessons, and one-on-one coaching all year. Students learned new skills and showed their thanks with a special chant.
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