fbpx
Connect with us

Senior Pickleball Report

Pickleball for All Generations: How the Sport is Bringing People Together and Building a Community

Published

on

Life Time is the largest operator of pickleball courts with more than 500 and many more to come

CHANHASSEN, Minn. /PRNewswire/ — People of all ages, abilities and backgrounds have fallen in love with the fastest growing sport in America: Pickleball. During this National Pickleball Month, Life Time, (NYSE: LTH), the country’s largest provider of pickleball courts across its athletic country clubs, has become the hub for showcasing the wide appeal of the sport across generations.

According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, more than 36.5 million people played pickleball between August 2021 and August 2022. The fastest-growing demographic of pickleball players are those under the age of 24, according to USA Pickleball.

Clockwise from the top-left: Ashley W. and Micah M., Laney J., Megan M. and Flynn M., Deepak S., and Gavin G.

“At Life Time, we’re seeing a stunning growth of pickleball across generations, from kids to grandparents. Everyone is finding joy in the game,” said Ajay Pant, Life Time’s Vice President of Racquet Sports. “We are thrilled to deliver this amazing sport to everyone and commit to building an ever-growing pickleball community across our athletic country clubs.”

  • The Generations: Laney J. (77), Megan M. (49) and Flynn M. (9): Laney, Megan and Flynn started playing pickleball a couple of years ago and are now hooked on playing the sport as a family. They started playing casually for exercise, but curiosity and competitive drive took over. They recently entered their first-ever pickleball tournament at Life Time Target Center and Flynn was named “prince of the court” for his enthusiasm and competitive spirit.
  • The New ProfessionalDeepak S. (38): After being hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2021, Deepak gained weight and needed to regain his lung capacity. He discovered the fun of pickleball by playing with friends and joined Life Time in Princeton, NJ. He now plays several times a week and has since taken part in tournaments. He’s also gotten back into shape and lost 35 pounds from playing. “I never thought I could lose weight through pickleball. I didn’t join Life Time with the goal of losing weight, but I eventually noticed I would lose a couple pounds every couple weeks.”
  • The Couples: Ashley W. and Micah M. (early 20s): After college, Ashley and Micah felt lost not having a fun, physical activity to do together. They discovered pickleball and now play at Life Time Crosstown in Minnesota three to four times a week. They also won a tournament at Life Time St. Louis Park and Ashley recently participated in a Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) tournament with her sister for the women’s 4.0 doubles. “Our favorite part of playing together is growing both as players and people. We love practicing together because we can be honest about what we each need to work on,” Way said.
  • The Young: Gavin G. (12): Gavin has played pickleball for more than three years at various Life Time clubs in Minnesota. He started playing with his dad and enjoys making new friends through the sport. “Pickleball is great exercise. I don’t get much recess time at school, so I love playing whenever I have free time.”

Since early 2022, Life Time has constructed indoor and outdoor pickleball courts at a rate of five new permanent courts each week – many with viewing areas, stadium seating, and social lounges. As of this April, Life Time has more than 500 courts, intending to exceed 1,000 by the end of 2024. Life Time is the largest owner and operator of both pickleball and tennis courts.

For more information, visit the Life Time Pickleball website.

About Life Time, Inc.
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 160 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company’s healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 34,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events and comprehensive digital platform.

SOURCE Life Time, Inc.

https://q5i.09c.myftpupload.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/

pickleball and sports exclusive

Pickleball Kingdom Coming to Canada

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

pickleball and sports exclusive

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

Published

on


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

Continue Reading

pickleball and sports exclusive

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

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Trending