Building a Pickleball Program from the Ground Up: Part 2
Editor’s Note: Part 1 was published on September 17, 2021, and you can read that piece here. It was an interview we conducted we with Joe, the man behind creating a pickleball program in Florida, alongside the YMCA organization. We recently asked Joe for an update, and he responded with the following.
Keep going, Joe! From everyone here at PBU, we’re inspired by your commitment.
We are about a month into our adventure and it has been an interesting start to say the least. There have been surprises, challenges and even a tentative plan put in place to keep pushing this boulder up the hill (I cannot see the top of the hill yet I know it is there).
The Good Surprises
Despite minimal advertising and only a few weeks of program activity, our start up program has grown significantly. Through primarily word of mouth we have grown from only a few participants in our first evening Fundamentals class to more than 4 times that now, the most recent with ages ranging from 11 to 84. Our other Fundamentals class, a morning session, has shown similar growth. For both, each has seen an increase from week to week with members coming back again and bringing others along for the next class. The enthusiasm is high and most of the participants are new to pickleball or have not had previous lessons so they want to learn more. In addition to the Fundamentals classes, we have drop in days the rest of the week and have a regular sign in group count of about 26-30 of either playing or interested members wanting to do more.
The Challenges
The rapid growth so soon after the program started is a pleasant surprise, however it also brings significant challenges. The outside court used is a basketball court in which we can fit three nets as currently outlined. The YMCA program director at this location worked hard to put the lines on the court herself and at least provide some framework for play. The court has some significant issues, however, as there are probably more cracks than court. “Playing the crack” has become a sort of group motto. The three nets are questionably functional. The “loaner” wooden racquets that we have (those not broken) are limited. Because of the rapid growth so far, there are more players than paddles so sharing is important. I believe this may become less of an issue as time goes on as the beginners who are returning are looking into getting their own paddles.
In addition to the facilities, teaching this large and growing group with only two and maybe three functioning nets is challenging with only one instructor. Some of our proposed activities for the year (noted below) may help us address some of these issues going forward.
Planned activities for the year
With the early strong interest in the program, we have been encouraged to try and expand activities beyond open play and the Fundamentals class. Considering some of the challenges noted above it will be a gradual approach in an attempt to have each activity build off the one put in place before it. Continuing to build membership and usage may encourage additional investment which will help us with facility development and necessary equipment purchases. Some of these current and planned activities include:
Activities implemented since the recent start of the program (September 2021)
Expanded open play
A new twice a week Fundamentals class (evening and morning)
A weekly News and Notes e-mail to the YMCA pickleball club members providing information on upcoming club activities, instructional information from relevant websites and news about the game
Activities being considered/planned for the rest of the year (new activities may be added)
YMCA employee Pickleball day. A fundamentals class available to all YMCA employees. The experience may encourage employees to promote the game to members
Pickleball Fitness class
A doubles and, if enough interest, singles Ladder
Last Friday of each month Pickleball mixer (party) for club members and a friend
A Pickleball league that may include other YMCAs and community centers. Each team would have to have at least 2 beginner players that will play an “exhibition” match during league contest
End of the year county-wide tournament
After a little over one month into this journey much has been learned and I expect there will be much more to come. The boulder is at least starting to move up that hill.
