Pickleball’s Growing Appeal on Long Island: In recent years, community members have flocked to the pickleball courts in Jamesport and Peconic, drawn by the sport’s surging popularity and inclusive atmosphere. Justin Blair, a resident of Cutchogue, and Rebecca Stokes, hailing from Aquebogue, have been instrumental in this movement, founding the National Amateur Association of Pickleball (NAA) to cultivate a sense of community among neighbors on Long Island’s East End.
A Flexible League Experience
For the first time this fall, players from North Fork and Riverhead had the opportunity to sign up for a NAA Pickleball league, participating in men’s, women’s, or coed doubles teams. “We wanted to start a league that would give people the flexibility of when they could play,” said Rebecca Stokes regarding the tournament structure that allows teams to schedule their own matches around their personal commitments.
From September 24 to October 27, 18 teams engaged in five weekly Round Robin matchups to determine division winners for the North Fork and Riverhead leagues. Twelve of those winners advanced to compete in the East End Fall Pickleball Tournament, held at Pickleball Smash It in Riverhead on November 2. Matches were hosted across courts in Peconic, Jamesport, and surrounding areas to accommodate the needs of various teams.
“The energy, you could sense it was noticeably higher when someone was having their regular league match at Tasker Park in Peconic,” noted Justin Blair. “There was a lot of hooting and hollering and cheering and what not amongst the teams.”
Welcoming Environment for All
Giulia Zeni, who divides her time between New York City and Cutchogue, started playing pickleball a few years ago. From the beginning, she experienced a warm welcome from the community, emphasizing, “I liked it and I started playing it right away. I think it’s highly addictive as a sport.”
The sport has opened new social avenues for Zeni, who enjoys playing with individuals of varying ages. “I can play with kids in their early 20s, people in their 70s, or middle-aged like me,” she shared.
Olivia Daddona, from Southold, first picked up a pickleball paddle last summer and quickly immersed herself in the sport, stating, “I really am grateful I found it because I don’t know what I’d be doing without it to be honest.” She often spends six hours on the court, feeling time slip away as she plays. Daddona believes age is no barrier, recalling how she enjoys matches with both 87-year-olds and 20-year-olds.
“Everybody is so accepting,” Daddona reflected. “When I first started, I was playing with super intermediate and advanced players, and they were very patient with me, and that’s why I’ve gotten a lot better. Now it’s like my turn to teach the beginners.”
Addiction and Connection on the Court
Camilo Arboleda, a Jamesport resident, began playing pickleball in May after Justin Blair invited him to join the leagues. “It’s great — nice people, good connections,” Arboleda remarked about his league experience. “It’s fun.”
Jim Glover, also from Cutchogue, partnered with Arboleda in the men’s league. Glover, like Daddona and Zeni, expressed the addictive nature of the sport, citing the adrenaline rush it provides. “People actually start to have withdrawal if they don’t play,” he said. “It’s one of the sports that if you play regularly, you get good quickly.”
Having first picked up the sport two years ago with a paddle lent by Blair, Glover has since acquired three paddles of his own. He believes that the social connections made on the court contribute significantly to the enjoyment of the game. A 20-person group text has formed from the league, enabling community members to coordinate casual games.
Blair and Stokes envision expanding the NAA Pickleball initiative across the country, aiming to enhance the accessibility of pickleball leagues nationwide. “You don’t have a set team either, so it’s always evolving,” Glover explained. “Like two people might be playing with each other, then they’re playing against each other. It’s always evolving, and that’s what kind of makes it a little more exciting.”
News in Brief: Pickleball’s Growing Appeal on Long Island
Community members in Jamesport and Peconic have embraced pickleball, enjoying its inclusive and communal spirit. Founders Justin Blair and Rebecca Stokes established the National Amateur Association of Pickleball to facilitate local leagues, enabling flexible scheduling for participants. The inaugural fall league featured 18 teams, culminating in the East End Fall Pickleball Tournament. Players of all ages find camaraderie on the courts, with many describing the sport as addictive and emphasizing the welcoming nature of the community.
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