Young boys and girls were taught the fundamentals of pickleball during an introductory summer course. It went over so well that organizers are expanding the program now that youngsters are returning to school.
Kids Train and Play Pickleball picks up where a kid’s summer camp left off. Sessions, run by Pickletopia’s Lisa Krawetz, Stacey Koval, Trevor Smith and Greg Goodson, take place in Tampa Pickleball Crew’s Ybor City warehouse.
“There has been an overwhelming response,” Krawetz said. “A lot of kids want to continue through the school year.”
The inaugural camp, for ages 9-14, ran for five weeks and drew more than 30 kids. Aside from fundamentals, instructions focused on shot mechanics and rules of the game.
The new sessions, which began the first week in August and will run throughout the academic year, were capped at 12 kids. That way the four instructors would work with
small groups on four courts.
“Our hope is to have at least three (sessions) per week and throw in special events like kids tournaments, ”Krawetz said. “We’re getting them ready for competitive play.”
While seniors and middle-aged people have joined the pickleball craze in recent years, there has been a growing trend of younger players. High school and youth divisions have been part of several tourneys in the Tampa Bay area.
For more information about the program, visit
mypickletopia.com or call (813) 833-9507.
Photo courtesy of Pickletopia
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