Pickleball can be enjoyed by all ages, according to a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster the growth of a relatively new racquet sport in Aiken and the surrounding area.
But one of Southern Pickleball Academy's biggest efforts is introducing the activity to young people.
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“Getting kids to put down their phones and pick up paddles is what we're trying to do,” Beth Eberhard said during a presentation to the Aiken Rotary Club Monday at Newbury Hall. He spoke at
She is a founding board member of the Southern Pickleball Academy and serves as vice president of the organization.
Everard told Rotarians that pickleball has been around since the mid-1960s, making it relatively young compared to lawn tennis, court tennis, racquetball, squash and badminton.
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“Our young people are really struggling right now between the pandemic and social media use,” she said. “I'm not saying pickleball will solve your problems, but it can help. We know exercise has a positive impact on mental health. Pickleball is non-threatening. And the name…sounds like fun.” Anyone walking can play pickleball.”
Southern Pickleball Academy has reached out to children and youth in a variety of ways.
“We have participated in community events like Earth Day,” Eberhardt said. “Last summer, we attended four different camps with him and introduced over 200 kids to pickleball. We also attended New Ellenton, which needed more recreational space. We introduced pickleball to .”
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Members of the Southern Pickleball Academy teamed up with Aiken County Public School District physical education teachers last September to teach students how to teach pickleball.
“Last year alone, we provided pickleball equipment to 12 middle schools and high schools in Aiken County,” Eberhardt said. “And our focus didn't stop there. We went to Aiken High School and painted pickleball [court] line on cement pad. So we started a pickleball club. We have mentors that come in and help us build relationships with them (students) and teach them the game of pickleball. ”
For more information, call 803-221-8869, email info@southernpickleballacademy.org or visit Southernpickleballacademy.org.
