When we started the Southern Pickleball Academy in late 2022 with the vision to grow pickleball in our schools and in our community, we didn't dream that we would be able to make such a huge impact so quickly.
Just this past year the Academy introduced over 200 children to pickleball, worked with New Ellenton City Council and Mayor Kim Williams to develop a pickleball program, and started a popular series of First Friday Pickleball and Pizza “open play” gatherings at the Virginia Acres courts.
Yet the Academy’s biggest impact has been in getting youth involved with pickleball. Recognizing the power of pickleball to help our youth, the Southern Pickleball Academy began a campaign to get paddles into their hands instead of phones.
At the beginning of the 2023-24 school year, the Southern Pickleball Academy held a professional development seminar for all the Physical Education teachers in Aiken County Public Schools, bringing in volunteers to help guide the teachers in best practices for teaching the sport.
Through the generosity of Academy donors and sponsors, the Southern Pickleball Academy has provided free pickleball equipment to 12 Aiken County middle and high schools: a total of 356 paddles, 328 balls, and 50 nets!
The Academy continues to support pickleball in these schools. After taping six courts on the gym floor at Paul Knox Middle School, volunteer John Poore stated, “Folks helped me learn the game, so I’m glad to be able to do my part to help others get started in pickleball.”
The Academy has organized and continues to mentor four public school pickleball clubs in Aiken County. At Midland Valley High School, the students weren’t satisfied with their pickleball club meeting just one afternoon a week so they arranged a teacher sponsor who was willing to stay after school twice a week. French teacher and club sponsor Garrett Maroney sees pickleball as a non-threatening sport that anyone can play. The “adrenaline rush” and the sheer fun of the game keep these students coming back even on Friday afternoons. “Why do we only practice for one hour?” asked one student. They are eager to start competing with other school pickleball clubs. Plans are in the works for an inter-club competition in late May.
On April 27, the Southern Pickleball Academy is holding the Southern Spring Classic pickleball tournament presented by Aloha Aesthetics. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to continue supporting pickleball in the schools as well as starting a post-secondary pickleball scholarship program.
Perhaps a pickleball Olympiad will come of these efforts, but regardless, the Southern Pickleball Academy will have provided a means for youth to put down their phones and pick up a paddle, introducing them to a sport that brings joy for a lifetime. The power of the paddle is strong in the Southern Pickleball Academy!
What an achievement! I know the students will benefit greatly by having pickleball as a PE sport during the school year. It's going to launch any number of life-time fans!