Introducing Life Time’s Kids Pickleball Programming: Next-Gen Sport

In an exciting collaboration, Life Time, the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand and leading provider of pickleball courts, programming, and leagues, has joined forces with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) to introduce new junior pickleball programming. This initiative aims to introduce more children to the fastest growing sport in America while fostering a love for the game. With a focus on play-based learning and creating a positive environment, Life Time’s innovative junior pickleball curriculum is set to revolutionize how kids approach the sport.

Building Athletic Skills and a Love for the Sport:
Life Time’s junior pickleball programming aims to address the concerning statistic that 70% of kids stop playing sports by the age of 13, as reported by the National Alliance for Youth Sports. Recognizing the need for a fresh approach, Life Time’s curriculum emphasizes learning through the joy of playing in practices rather than traditional drills and lessons that may seem monotonous to young athletes. By engaging children in round-robin games and reinforcing game-specific skills, Life Time seeks to build both pickleball and life skills in an emotionally safe learning environment.

A Pathway for the Next Generation:
Designed by Life Time with technical and shared marketing support from DUPR, this pickleball curriculum for juniors is the first of its kind on such a large scale. Children as young as four years old will have the opportunity to participate, creating a pathway for the next generation of pickleball players. Leveraging Life Time’s established expertise in racquet sports, the program aims to instill a lifelong love for the sport in junior athletes.

Expanding Availability and Adoption:
Starting October 2nd, Life Time will launch junior pickleball programming at its Minnesota locations, which already feature dedicated pickleball courts. The company plans to expand this programming to its entire network of athletic country clubs with pickleball by the end of the year. By embracing DUPR’s official rating system across all Life Time clubs with pickleball, the collaboration ensures a consistent and fair playing experience for all participants.

Pickleball’s Growing Popularity:
Recognizing the increasing popularity of pickleball, Life Time has been constructing indoor and outdoor pickleball courts at an impressive rate. With a goal of reaching 1,000 pickleball courts by the end of 2024, Life Time is the largest owner and operator of both pickleball and indoor tennis courts. This commitment to expanding pickleball infrastructure demonstrates Life Time’s dedication to providing accessible and enjoyable opportunities for individuals of all ages and skill levels.

Life Time’s collaboration with DUPR to launch junior pickleball programming represents an exciting milestone in introducing the next generation to the sport. By prioritizing play-based learning, emotional safety, and age-appropriate skill development, Life Time aims to create a lifelong love for pickleball among young athletes. As the popularity of pickleball continues to soar, Life Time’s commitment to expanding pickleball infrastructure solidifies its position as a leader in the sport. With this initiative, Life Time is not only introducing kids to pickleball but also setting them on a pathway to success in the sport they love

For more information please visit the Life Time Pickleball Website

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