Though originated in 1965, the game of pickleball did not get much popularity until the recent years. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the country as people playing at local parks have now made it to almost all around professional leagues and tournaments. Furthermore, the game has already made a television deal with ESPN. Read more to know about pickleball in news.
When you first hear the name ‘pickleball’, do you ever wonder if pickles are involved? Well, it has none. It is just a very important sport with over 15000 pickleball courts in America.
A section of the court is also known as kitchen. You must already be wondering what this kitchen is. The terms can be confusing but Greg, a common American, who is also an aficionado of the game can explain you better.
He explains that the Americans call the court a kitchen for some unknown reasons. It is basically the area from either of the net’s side. It’s not allowed to volley inside these areas to encourage rallying.
According to a research conducted by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association in the USA, there are over 3 million people playing pickleball in the USA every year. The sports also have a nice competitive aspect that makes it popular among the professional leagues around the world.
One of the professional leagues, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), is run by Utahn Connor Pardoe. He has some interesting opinion about the pickleball tournaments in the US. According to him, some of the directors of pickleball tournaments wanted to organize a professional tour of pickleball. In this tour, they wanted everyone to come forward and initiate respective matches that would construct a full series. So, they went to Pardoe and wanted him to oversee the series. They also asked him to be the commissioner of the tournaments.
He agreed that the sport received such great attention because everyone could have fun playing it.
The PPA has been hosting pickleball tournaments on the pro tour circuit with payouts as big as $150,000. This is indeed a good investment having in the sector of pickleball.
You can also check: Top 11 Best Pickleball Paddles in 2021
2. Proposals Floated for the Northwest Park – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
The residents have been disappointed with the lack of court area in the Northwest Resiliency Park. Recently, they decided to meet up to discuss the concept designs of the park, which did not include any space for tennis court.
The park is going to include a multi-use athletic field, a big lawn for hosting events and some cafes. However, a tennis court is missing from the plans. Former councilman Tim Occhipinti, who resides near the park, said that the current pickleball and tennis courts are always full with players. People have to wait for a long time to get an opportunity to play their as the city has a huge population. The city has other fields, but they are multi-purpose fields and are always occupied.
However, Matt Maher, who also resides close to the park, termed the plan as a ‘real disappointment.’ In his opinion, it’s true that it’s not possible to fit the basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts in a single field. But, if a multi-purpose field is constructed that will reduce the tranquillity and size of the park, it will limit the access of people playing in the courts. He also said that a third soccer field in Hoboken is not actually necessary.
Such feedback is expected to help the planners of the park design. It will also assist in making a sounder park construction. First, the project engineers and designers want to understand and analyse the impact of the park on parking and traffic, and the remediation measures in case the park is causing any sort of inconvenience.
3. Advisory Board of Directors are Named by Registry of Pickleball – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
The (PPR) Professional Pickleball Registry has recently announced the formation of the first ever Advisory Board of Directors of PPR. The chosen board members will serve for 3 years including Justin Maloof as the representative of USA Pickleball, Dan Regan as the Director at Large, Lee Whitwell as the Secretary, Jarrett Chirico as the Vice Chairman, and Hemel Cosme as the Chairman.
Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) is a very important organization today, which was established in 2018 and soon became the largest international Pickleball Coach organization, with over 2,500 members. PPR is named as the official education and certification partner of USA Pickleball.
PPR tries to play a strong role in inspiring, training, certifying, and serving pickleball coaches or the game professionals in order to grow the game. The addition of the new members in the board is meant to serve as additional resource of help for serving the purpose of the organization.
4. Babolat and HumanFab are now new partners, studying the ‘Racquet Sports Player’ – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
As many of you know, Babolat is a French company that leads the world in racquet sport equipment. HumanFab is the sports science expert in the field of human engineering. Recently, the two French organizations have decided to join hands with the motivation for creating and forming a unique laboratory that focuses on the study of ‘the human racquet sports player.’
Using the expertise of both the companies, this collaboration is expected to improve and explore the expertise of players by the execution of biomechanics.
When asked to elaborate on the work they plan to do, Eric Babolat, President of Babolat, stated that their equipment are innovated from a close observation of the players and the games. They have conducted quite a thorough research on the courts, and ultimate levels of matches. They are going to adopt a unique scientific approach that will enhance their understanding of the game and increase their level of expertise. It will surely result in a better outcome.
Jean-Bernard Fabre, CEO and founder of HumanFab, added to this conversation by saying that the project is quite exciting and ambitious. As they are going to offer a service that is combined of several services like sports medicine, development of products, professional training, etc., the unique type of approach is surely going to be ground-breaking. He also stated that their ambition is to set a new standard in racquet sports with their scientifically developed biomechanics approach.
The first part of the collaboration has already started in 2021 within the construction of the 270000 square feet Racquet Sports Players Laboratories in Aix en Provence, France. This also includes tennis courts among the other features.
Such a laboratory is meant to increase the focus on the human factor to increase the knowledge of human engineering so the upcoming products and novel innovations in the market can bring about imperative resources catering and suited to the needs of players. The age or level of the players must also be no issue in this regard. It is hoped that this will strongly help improve the performance of future players, optimize their output and rediscover the potential in them.
5. Selkirk Sport Has Been Named First ‘Preferred Pickleball Partner’ by Troon – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
Troon is world’s one of the biggest club management organization while Selkirk Sport (see also ‘10 High Quality Selkirk Pickleball Paddles You Have To Try Out‘) is a leading brand that works with Pickleball equipment. Recently, they have stated a partnership of multi-years. This means, following this partnership, Selkirk Sport will be the official partner of the company’s division of Cliff Drysdale Tennis.
Rob Barnes is the current Product and Relationships VP at Selkirk Sports. When he was asked to make a comment on the upcoming executions following this partnership, he stated that they are committed to invest on the constant growth of the games of pickleball. The partnership is an amazing chance for them to further work on the sport and bring it to a professional and recreational level.
He also mentioned that they are thrilled to present the advantages of pickleball to Troon’s worldwide partners and customers. By doing so, they will also enhance and support the programming of pickleball at facilities managed by Troon.
Mike Barnes, VP of Operations of the Selkirk Sport, stated in this regard that they gladly embrace the position of being the leaders in pickleball and understand the duties they currently have to promote and help the game grow. He also said that they are excited to work with a well-reputed company such as Troon that shares their vision.
6. UTPR Will Only be Earned at Sanctioned Tournaments
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
UTPR, or USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings has a major role to play on a pickleball player’s profile.
It is going through major updates regarding players earning the ratings from tournaments. This is being done for aligning pickleball with the upcoming and current growth wave with regards to the present improvements.
According to the new rules, if a game that is schedule beyond 1st April, 2021 and is not sanctioned and a player takes part in the game, then he/she will not get any credit of UTPR.
From 1st April, 2021, the following rules will be applicable for earning UTPR:
- Full (100%) credit of UTPR will be sanctioned to all tournaments that are standard
- Standard Sanctioned Tournaments will be needing referees for every match
- Players are required to be USA Pickleball members to participate in an event that is sanctioned
This is meant to benefit both directors and players of the USA Pickleball.
2. Proposals Floated for the Northwest Park – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
The residents have been disappointed with the lack of court area in the Northwest Resiliency Park. Recently, they decided to meet up to discuss the concept designs of the park, which did not include any space for tennis court.
The park is going to include a multi-use athletic field, a big lawn for hosting events and some cafes. However, a tennis court is missing from the plans. Former councilman Tim Occhipinti, who resides near the park, said that the current pickleball and tennis courts are always full with players. People have to wait for a long time to get an opportunity to play their as the city has a huge population. The city has other fields, but they are multi-purpose fields and are always occupied.
However, Matt Maher, who also resides close to the park, termed the plan as a ‘real disappointment.’ In his opinion, it’s true that it’s not possible to fit the basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts in a single field. But, if a multi-purpose field is constructed that will reduce the tranquillity and size of the park, it will limit the access of people playing in the courts. He also said that a third soccer field in Hoboken is not actually necessary.
Such feedback is expected to help the planners of the park design. It will also assist in making a sounder park construction. First, the project engineers and designers want to understand and analyse the impact of the park on parking and traffic, and the remediation measures in case the park is causing any sort of inconvenience.
3. Advisory Board of Directors are Named by Registry of Pickleball – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
The (PPR) Professional Pickleball Registry has recently announced the formation of the first ever Advisory Board of Directors of PPR. The chosen board members will serve for 3 years including Justin Maloof as the representative of USA Pickleball, Dan Regan as the Director at Large, Lee Whitwell as the Secretary, Jarrett Chirico as the Vice Chairman, and Hemel Cosme as the Chairman.
Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) is a very important organization today, which was established in 2018 and soon became the largest international Pickleball Coach organization, with over 2,500 members. PPR is named as the official education and certification partner of USA Pickleball.
PPR tries to play a strong role in inspiring, training, certifying, and serving pickleball coaches or the game professionals in order to grow the game. The addition of the new members in the board is meant to serve as additional resource of help for serving the purpose of the organization.
4. Babolat and HumanFab are now new partners, studying the ‘Racquet Sports Player’ – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
As many of you know, Babolat is a French company that leads the world in racquet sport equipment. HumanFab is the sports science expert in the field of human engineering. Recently, the two French organizations have decided to join hands with the motivation for creating and forming a unique laboratory that focuses on the study of ‘the human racquet sports player.’
Using the expertise of both the companies, this collaboration is expected to improve and explore the expertise of players by the execution of biomechanics.
When asked to elaborate on the work they plan to do, Eric Babolat, President of Babolat, stated that their equipment are innovated from a close observation of the players and the games. They have conducted quite a thorough research on the courts, and ultimate levels of matches. They are going to adopt a unique scientific approach that will enhance their understanding of the game and increase their level of expertise. It will surely result in a better outcome.
Jean-Bernard Fabre, CEO and founder of HumanFab, added to this conversation by saying that the project is quite exciting and ambitious. As they are going to offer a service that is combined of several services like sports medicine, development of products, professional training, etc., the unique type of approach is surely going to be ground-breaking. He also stated that their ambition is to set a new standard in racquet sports with their scientifically developed biomechanics approach.
The first part of the collaboration has already started in 2021 within the construction of the 270000 square feet Racquet Sports Players Laboratories in Aix en Provence, France. This also includes tennis courts among the other features.
Such a laboratory is meant to increase the focus on the human factor to increase the knowledge of human engineering so the upcoming products and novel innovations in the market can bring about imperative resources catering and suited to the needs of players. The age or level of the players must also be no issue in this regard. It is hoped that this will strongly help improve the performance of future players, optimize their output and rediscover the potential in them.
5. Selkirk Sport Has Been Named First ‘Preferred Pickleball Partner’ by Troon – Pickleball in the News
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
Troon is world’s one of the biggest club management organization while Selkirk Sport is a leading brand that works with Pickleball equipment. Recently, they have stated a partnership of multi-years. This means, following this partnership, Selkirk Sport will be the official partner of the company’s division of Cliff Drysdale Tennis.
Rob Barnes is the current Product and Relationships VP at Selkirk Sports. When he was asked to make a comment on the upcoming executions following this partnership, he stated that they are committed to invest on the constant growth of the games of pickleball. The partnership is an amazing chance for them to further work on the sport and bring it to a professional and recreational level.
He also mentioned that they are thrilled to present the advantages of pickleball to Troon’s worldwide partners and customers. By doing so, they will also enhance and support the programming of pickleball at facilities managed by Troon.
Mike Barnes, VP of Operations of the Selkirk Sport, stated in this regard that they gladly embrace the position of being the leaders in pickleball and understand the duties they currently have to promote and help the game grow. He also said that they are excited to work with a well-reputed company such as Troon that shares their vision.
6. UTPR Will Only be Earned at Sanctioned Tournaments
Photo by: Al Bello Staff
UTPR, or USA Pickleball Tournament Player Ratings has a major role to play on a pickleball player’s profile.
It is going through major updates regarding players earning the ratings from tournaments. This is being done for aligning pickleball with the upcoming and current growth wave with regards to the present improvements.
According to the new rules, if a game that is schedule beyond 1st April, 2021 and is not sanctioned and a player takes part in the game, then he/she will not get any credit of UTPR.
From 1st April, 2021, the following rules will be applicable for earning UTPR:
- Full (100%) credit of UTPR will be sanctioned to all tournaments that are standard
- Standard Sanctioned Tournaments will be needing referees for every match
- Players are required to be USA Pickleball members to participate in an event that is sanctioned
This is meant to benefit both directors and players of the USA Pickleball.
