Picklemania Pickleball Community Empowerment: Picklemania, a non-profit group in Memphis, teaches important life lessons through pickleball. Founded by Taylor Taylor, the group uses pickleball to help people in under-resourced communities learn skills like patience, impulse control, and communication.
Their goal is to build healthier, more connected communities through this fun sport. Taylor Taylor, the founder and executive director of Picklemania, said the “P” in pickleball stands for participation.
“Participation and the value of participating in life. If you don’t participate in life, then you don’t have a very fulfilling life, right?” – (Taylor)
Picklemania links each letter of “pickleball” to a life lesson, combining social-emotional learning with character development.
“We took every letter of pickleball, and each letter represents a life lesson. The mission is to go into the under-resourced communities and teach these valuable lessons like patience, impulse control, and communication.” – (Taylor)
Teaching Life Lessons Through Pickleball
Picklemania offers a program called “Pickleball with Purpose” at schools, community centers, and social outreach groups. Taylor Taylor said the sport is unique because people of all ages can play it together.
“Pickleball is for everyone. That’s the thing. I can’t play basketball. My mom can’t play basketball, but my mom can play pickleball with my 18 and 20-year-old children. It’s incredibly intergenerational.” – (Taylor)
The sport’s low cost makes it easy for many to join. Picklemania noticed that once participants learn pickleball, they quickly teach their family and friends.
“They’re going to want to teach their friends and their family and their children and their grandchildren and everybody. So then all of a sudden, that’s where everyone’s going to meet at night and sit in the chair and visit with people until it’s their turn to play.” – (Taylor)
Building Connections with Communication
Taylor Taylor highlighted the importance of communication in pickleball and life.
“I love communication because it’s serve and return. ‘So, how are you?’ ‘I’m well, thank you.’ And I look you in the eye. But, like I serve the ball to you and you return the ball to me, and we’re paying attention and we’re connected and we’re sharing this experience over the net just like we share experiences interpersonally.” – (Taylor)
Community Support
Because Picklemania helps teach life lessons through a sport that brings people together, Brown Missionary Baptist Church and the Mid-South Genesis CDC donated $1,000 to support the group.
This funding helps Picklemania continue its work in Memphis communities. Picklemania’s approach shows how a simple game like pickleball can teach valuable skills and create a stronger, healthier community.
News in Brief: Picklemania Pickleball Community Empowerment
Picklemania, a Memphis non-profit led by Taylor Taylor, teaches life skills through pickleball. The group’s “Pickleball with Purpose” program reaches under-resourced communities, combining fun and learning. The sport connects all ages and encourages communication. Brown Missionary Baptist Church and Mid-South Genesis CDC donated $1,000 to support Picklemania’s mission.
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