Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Pickleball may be gaining a whole new generation of fans. While the sport has been enthusiastically embraced by adults in recent years, Middlesex Centre is hoping to introduce young people to the pickleball.
Beginning in August, the municipality will be offering its Youth Pickleball program at the Komoka Community Centre. “Pickleball has gained popularity over the past few years from people of all ages, particularly with the older adult age group. Our new Youth Pickleball program is an attempt to expand our current pickleball offerings to kids in a fun and non-competitive way,” says Recreation Coordinator Sam Cormier.
The four-week introductory course will be held Thursday evenings, for youth ages eight to 14. “Some reasons why we thought pickleball would be a good fit for a kids program is because the game is relatively easy to learn, promotes physical activity, promotes social interaction, is engaging, and has a low risk of injury,” says Cormier.
Participants will be taught the sport according to rules and procedures set out by Pickleball Ontario. Skills they will learn include serving, volleying, drop-shots, and general court set-up and the playing area. “Pickleball is a great game for kids of all athletic abilities as it can be modified to suit participants current abilities,” say Cormier.
“We are hoping to have kids walk away from the program fully understanding the game of pickleball, enjoying their time, and to have them want to return to a potential future version of the program,” adds Cormier.
Middlesex Centre’s Youth Pickleball program will be running for four weeks on Thursdays from 6:00pm-7:30pm from August 1-22. The program costs $32.00+HST. To register for the program, visit the Municipality of Middlesex Centre’s website at https://www.middlesexcentre.ca/services/residents/recreation-programs.
“This will be our first time running the program and are really looking forward to the possibility of continuing and expanding the program in the fall,” says Cormier.
