Southern Pickleball Academy Empowers Youth: Sixteen youths, ranging in age from 10 to 16, graduated from Southern Pickleball Academy’s First Paddle course on November 17. The six-week program, held at St. John’s Methodist Church in Aiken, aimed not only to teach the fundamentals of pickleball but also to impart valuable life skills. Participants learned the ins and outs of the game, including etiquette, conflict resolution, and the importance of integrity and sportsmanship, which they could apply on and off the court.
Developing Life Skills Beyond the Game
The First Paddle course emphasized more than just the mechanics of pickleball. “Each of these skills can be taken off court and into their lives,” said Bob Fogle, co-director of the Southern Pickleball Academy. Alongside Fogle, Beth Eberhard, the academy’s other co-director, noted,
“We’re going to have a little mini tournament here so the kids can kind of get a feel for what it’s like to be in a pickleball tournament.” – (Beth Eberhard)
Eberhard reflected on the varied skill levels of the participants.
“Some of them started from scratch and some had already played a little bit with their parents. They have varying degrees of ability, but all of them have progressed.” – (Beth Eberhard)
The academy’s vision is clear: to foster a love of the game and expand the program to other age groups and skill levels in the future.
“We’re really excited about this program and we’re hoping to expand it to different age groups and different ability levels as they progress through.” – (Beth Eberhard)
A Bright Future for Pickleball
Looking ahead, Eberhard expressed excitement about the program’s future. “We hope to offer these kids who’ve gone through this program some follow-up sessions where we focus on smaller groups and more intense, directed instruction,” she said, adding that the course might return in February or March. The future of the First Paddle program is not only about continued skill development but also about creating a lasting impact on the children involved.
A Growing Interest in Pickleball Among Youths
Lisa Barrett-Johnson, a certified pickleball instructor, has been guiding the young players throughout the course. She observed the rapid progress of the children, saying,
“They are little sponges. Kids learn much faster than adults learn. They’re doing great. They’re amazing and they love to learn. Pickleball is an amazing sport for young people.” – (Lisa Barrett-Johnson)
Barrett-Johnson also acknowledged the broader trend of increasing participation in pickleball, especially among young people. “We’re trying to grow that demographic one little hand at a time and make that a larger group,” she said, noting that the under-21 age group remains the smallest in the sport, despite the 40 million pickleball players across the United States.
Community Support and Enthusiasm
The program has also garnered strong support from the local community. Bonnie Collins, whose grandson Tristan participated in the course, praised the program’s approach.
“She’s teaching them how to warm up, etiquette, the whole gambit. It’s been a good thing. I like that they’re teaching them the etiquette.” – (Bonnie Collins)
For families like the Collins, the course has opened up opportunities for continued play.
“Now I can take him to play pickleball with me.” – (Bonnie Collins)
For Adina Premo, whose daughter Charlotte was eager to participate after playing pickleball in school, the program has been a rewarding experience.
“I would love to see a continuation of the program, maybe go to the next step. It’s been really good for her.” – (Adina Premo)
Life Lessons Beyond the Court
The enthusiasm extends beyond the players themselves. Tosha McAlister, whose daughter Hayden participated in the course, shared her appreciation for the program’s leaders. “The leaders are great. They’ve been absolutely wonderful with the kids,” McAlister said, noting how much her daughter enjoyed the experience.
The parents expressed hope that the children would not only take away pickleball skills but also life lessons they can apply to other areas of their lives.
“We’ll be sorry to see them go, but are hopeful that they will carry not just pickleball skills with them, but also life lessons that they can apply to their lives at home, in school and beyond.” – (Bob Fogle)
News in Brief: Southern Pickleball Academy Empowers Youth
Sixteen youths aged 10-16 completed the Southern Pickleball Academy’s First Paddle course in Aiken on November 17. The six-week program, held at St. John’s Methodist Church, taught pickleball basics along with life skills like conflict resolution and integrity.
The pickleball program, which ended in a mini tournament, has been praised by parents and instructors. Plans are underway to offer follow-up sessions and expand the program to include other age groups and skill levels in the future.
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