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Senior Pickleball Report

National Pickleball League Kicks Off Inaugural Season with Successful Draft Event

The National Pickleball League recently held its first-ever draft event, marking the beginning of a new era for professional pickleball players and fans alike.

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The National Pickleball League (NPL) held its first-ever draft at the Hyatt House in Naples, Florida on Friday, April 14th. The event was hosted by Michael Chen, Beth Bellamy, and Rick Witsken, who welcomed potential NPL players and franchise owners from the first six teams in the newly established league.

The National Pickleball League 2023 Draft 

The draft was not only about selecting and announcing nearly one hundred players, but it was also a celebration of the more than 50 professional pickleball communities. It was an incredible milestone for the sport, as establishing a new pro league created by professional players was not lost on those who attended or watched the live stream.

The six founding franchises in attendance were JBB United from Naples, the Boca Raton Picklers, the Denver Iconics, the Indy Drivers from Indianapolis, the Austin Ignite, and the Oklahoma City Punishers. Each of these franchises had the opportunity to select players from the pool of potential candidates to build their teams.

The league play will begin on June 3-4 in Grapevine, TX at Chicken N Pickle. After five events at different Chicken N Pickle locations throughout the country, the Championship will be held in Glendale, AZ on October 13-15. Fans of the sport are eagerly anticipating the start of the season, which will give them the opportunity to see some of the best players in the world compete in a new and exciting league.

The NPL’s draft was a significant moment for the sport of pickleball, and it marks the beginning of a new era for professional players. With such a strong foundation, the NPL has the potential to become one of the most prominent professional sports leagues in the country. Fans of the sport and supporters of the league are eagerly anticipating the start of the season and the opportunity to see some of the best players in the world compete for the championship.

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Over the past few years, Mike has become an insane pickleballer (pickler), fortunately for the senior 50+ crowd he started his show, Sleeve's Senior Pickleball Report. He spends the rest of his time speaking on social justice and spending time with his beautiful wife, Karen, and enjoying simple living in his ger/yurt.

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Pickleball Kingdom Coming to Canada

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ONTARIO, Canada, April 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball Kingdom, the largest indoor pickleball franchise in the world continues its massive global expansion by coming to Canada. The United States based company confirmed its commitment to opening clubs in Canada, starting immediately with multiple clubs in Ontario.

Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, Ace Rodrigues, stated, “Canada gave us hockey and what a blessing that’s been. We’re excited to return the favor and export the fastest growing sport in the world, pickleball, to our neighbors in the north.”


Currently, Pickleball Kingdom has 140+ clubs built or being built out in the United States.  Additionally, early this week, the company announced its agreement with Franchise India Group to open clubs in Dubai, India, and Abu Dhabi, with the rest of the UAE to follow.

The Pickleball Kingdom experience extends beyond just courts. Members and visitors can participate in a variety of activities, including lessons, leagues, tournaments, and open play sessions. On-site refreshments fuel friendly competition, while a dedicated mobile app allows for easy court reservations and even captures video highlights for players to relive their favorite on-court moments.

COO of Pickleball Kingdom, Rob Streett, added, “Canada is such a beautiful country, but its weather is not ideal to play pickleball outdoors. We’re looking forward to offering Canadians a chance to learn and play the fastest growing sport in the world all year round.  Especially with their families.”

Pickleball Kingdom is now accepting inquiries from interested parties to get involved with the movement. They are seeking seasoned businesspeople who value the advantage that comes with being a first market mover. Those who desire to have a conversation with Pickleball Kingdom should submit their request through their website: www.pickleballkingdom.com/franchise.

Pickleball has seen a growth rate of over 224% over the last three years, resulting in an estimated 36.5M pickleball players in the United States alone. And remarkably, 45% of them say they plan on playing more pickleball over the next year, according to YouGov.

David Haynie, CPO of Pickleball Kingdom, commented, “Universally, the biggest complaint against pickleball is that there aren’t enough courts to meet the demand to play. Once our clubs are built throughout Canada, we will not only meet the existing needs but create an introductory path into this great sport for people who don’t currently play.”  

CEO Ace Rodrigues concluded, “We’ve had people from Canada visit Pickleball Kingdom ever since we’ve opened. And we have more than a few ‘snowbirds’ as members who are Canadian residents. This overwhelming demand expedited the decision to open up the country. Soon there will be Pickleball Kingdoms all over Canada!”

SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom

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PickleRage Expands Reach, Bringing the Thrill of Indoor Pickleball to Jacksonville

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — PickleRage, a premier indoor pickleball club franchisor, announced its plans to open another corporate-operated club location in Jacksonville, Florida. The 30,209-square-foot club will give the community access to a state-of-the-art indoor facility where they can play pickleball year-round. PickleRage’s expansion into Jacksonville signifies another milestone in its ongoing mission to bring the joy of playing the game of pickleball to communities nationwide.

PickleRage’s Newest Corporate-Operated Club Coming to Jacksonville, Florida.

Located at Avenues Walk near I-95, I-295, and Philips Highway, PickleRage at Avenues Walk is set to redefine the local pickleball scene with its cutting-edge smart courts and premium amenities. With its plan to feature 9 joint-friendly CushionX courts, superior visibility and lighting, and perfect year-round temperature and humidity, the club promises unparalleled playing conditions for pickleball players of all ages and skill levels.

“We’re thrilled to expand our footprint in Jacksonville and introduce PickleRage to this vibrant community,” said Chris Daiss, vp of real estate and construction. “With our advanced facilities and commitment to excellence, we aim to become the go-to destination for pickleball enthusiasts of all levels.”

More than just a pickleball club, PickleRage at Avenues Walk aims to foster a lively community hub. The club will give players of all skill levels the opportunity to connect while improving their gameplay through lessons, tournaments, and leagues. Alongside its top-tier programming, PickleRage at Avenues Walk will feature a court-side lounge where players can unwind and socialize post-game.

Strategically situated alongside prominent retailers including Walmart, Dollar Tree, and Haverty’s at Philips Highway & Southside Blvd, the club benefits from high visibility and accessibility. It is adjacent to the 372-unit Bainbridge Avenues Walk multifamily project and lies in close proximity to the Avenues Mall.

PickleRage is one of America’s fastest growing indoor pickleball franchisors that gives novice & advanced players alike a place to play and connect. With world-class social, tournament, and instructional programing, you can see why pickleball players across the US are calling PickleRage clubs “Pickle-rageous!” With more than 500 locations planned over the next 5 years, PickleRage is set to take the pickleball-world by storm. For more information, visit: www.picklerage.com

SOURCE PickleRage

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Boston Pickle Club Opens First Facility in Hyde Park

Local residents gain access to a new category of pickleball facility centered on inclusiveness and community

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BOSTON /PRNewswire/ — The city of Boston welcomes a game-changing addition to its sports and recreation landscape with the grand opening of indoor pickleball facility, Boston Pickle Club. As pickleball surges in popularity, the state-of-the-art facility will cater to the growing demand in the Greater Boston area.

Located at 91 Sprague St in Hyde Park, the 20,000 square foot facility boasts cutting-edge amenities for players including seven indoor courts, state-of-the-art lighting and premium court surfaces. Co-founded by esteemed platform tennis professionals Johan du Randt and Stephen Mitchell, and entrepreneur Steven Hauck, the trio brought Boston Pickle Club to life with the goal of creating an inclusive environment that is the ultimate destination for pickleball aficionados.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of our inaugural indoor pickleball facility in Boston,” said Steven Hauck. “Pickleball is a sport that brings people together and fosters a sense of community. With the Boston Pickle Club, we introduce a new category: a membership-based club with diverse programming for all levels and ages and the best pros in the region.”

The facility opened its doors at the end of February and the activity is growing daily. There will be a ribbon cutting event held on Saturday, April 27 at 5 p.m. ET. The event will feature local Boston and Hyde Park officials and will be followed by a professional exhibition, where attendees can enjoy impressive matches with top-ranked professional players in Boston. Sponsors Skechers and Joola will be in attendance and all proceeds from the sale of Boston Pickle Club merchandise will be donated to Good Sports, a Massachusetts nonprofit that drives equitable access to youth sports and healthy physical activity.

Whether you’re a seasoned player looking for competitive play or a beginner looking to make friends and get a sweat, there is programming for you at the Boston Pickle Club.

Players enjoy:

  • Two membership tiers for individuals and families featuring benefits that include advanced court booking, league play, club championships, contract court time and members only events.
  • Private lessons with top professionals.
  • Level-based DUPR Open Play.
  • After-school junior classes for age groups ranging from 5-14+.
  • Clinics for varying experience levels designed to develop your skills.
  • League play for those eager to take on some serious competition.
  • Additional programming includes round robins, tournaments, camps, special events and more!

For more information about Boston Pickle Club and its opening, visit www.bostonpickleclub.com.

About Boston Pickle Club:
Boston Pickle Club is the premier indoor pickleball facility in Boston, located at 91 Sprague Street in Hyde Park. Outfitted with seven premium indoor courts featuring state of the art lighting and court surfaces, we provide our members an unrivaled pickleball environment. Open daily from 6 AM – 10 PM ET. Learn more at www.bostonpickleclub.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE Boston Pickle Club

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