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Senior Pickleball Report

Swing Racquet + Paddle Announces Partnership with Industry Leader Good to Great Tennis Academy

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Swing and Good to Great Embark on a Collaborative Partnership to Bring a World-Class Teaching Academy to the U.S.

RALEIGH, N.C. /PRNewswire/ — Swing Racquet + Paddle (Swing), the first-of-its-kind Sportstainment™ venue coming to Raleigh in 2024 and the next evolution in racquet and paddle sports, today announced a partnership with the renowned Good to Great Tennis Academy. Together, Swing and Good to Great (GTG) will work closely to deliver a premier teaching academy with unique and engaging experiences that will continue to drive the growth of tennis in the Raleigh area and beyond. Over the past month, Swing has also made major announcements joining forces with the likes of Wilson Sporting Goods and celebrity chef Fabio Viviani.

“We are so excited to announce this blockbuster partnership with GTG Tennis Academy,” said Rob Autry, Founder and CEO of Swing Racquet + Paddle. “Their passion for the game and reputation for developing amazing tennis players – on and off the court – is well known across the industry. I can’t think of a partner better suited to help attract the best coaches and players to Swing and achieve our goal of transforming the racquet and paddle sports experience.”

“We cannot wait to bring our brand and knowledge to a new market…We are excited to work with Swing” – Mikael Tillström

The strategic partnership will include GTG founders Magnus Norman, Nicklas Kulti, and Mikael Tillström providing foundational expertise in the development of a GTG co-branded tennis academy experience. Notable products of the GTG coaching model include Stan Wawrinka (three-time Grand Slam winner and former World No. 3), Rebecca Peterson, and Grigor Dimitrov (former World No. 3 in singles and the highest-ranked Bulgarian player of all time). The academy will be operated by Swing as part of the larger racquet sports concept at their 45-acre flagship campus in Raleigh and establish a North American base for GTG.

“We cannot wait to bring our brand and knowledge to a new market,” said Mikael Tillström, Founding Partner of GTG. “We have been waiting to take on a project outside Sweden and this concept and facility are very impressive. We are excited to work with Swing.”

Additionally, coaches and key Swing staff will regularly visit GTG in Sweden for training. The GTG team will instill the GTG philosophy for player development as well as provide key insights and practical operating knowledge toward running a premier tennis school. The partnership will also include co-branded merchandise and apparel.

The GTG philosophy is rooted in the belief that being successful in sports is a way of life – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Respect and energy are cornerstones that must exist within everyone involved: coaches, parents, relatives, and – above all – the players themselves. Everyone strives to give players the necessary tools to develop their tennis game, but it is ultimately up to the players to take the final step.

“In addition to training some of the best tennis players in the world, the GTG team delivers an inclusive experience that addresses the needs of beginners and recreational players as well as aspiring high performers. They have also worked through many of the pain points associated with facilities, memberships, court occupancy, and player experience,” said Jason DeGroff, President of Swing Racquet + Paddle. “We look to lean on their experience and knowledge to hit the ground running as one of the best sports facilities in the world.”

Swing’s flagship location is a 45-acre campus located in Raleigh, NC. The Swing campus will serve up tennis, pickleball, padel, ping pong, and beach tennis courts side-by-side with retail for all levels and an innovative food and beverage experience. To learn more about Swing, please visit SwingNC.com

About Swing

Swing Racquet + Paddle, led by entrepreneur Rob Autry and business partner Jason DeGroff, is the first multi-racquet + paddle Sportstainment facility designed to scale nationwide and will feature a 45-acre flagship campus in Raleigh, North Carolina. Swing addresses an unmet need in the racquet sports space through a first-of-its-kind Sportstainment experience. The flagship location, slated for completion in late 2024, will be the largest, multi-racquet sports facility in the world. Swing is a place that combines the best in racquet + paddle courts, tournament play, sports fitness, technology, and Eatertainment- with a goal of producing players with a lifelong love of the game. More than a facility, Swing is an experience. An approachable and fun way to play. A place that brings people together through a common connection centered on sustainability, social good, and inclusion. For more information, please visit SwingNC.com.

About Good to Great 

The vision of Good to Great Tennis Academy is to become the leading and best tennis Academy in the world. To be able to achieve this goal, the programs and activities are run at a new tennis facility in Danderyd, Stockholm. The people behind Good to Great include the former tennis professionals Nicklas Kulti, Magnus Norman and Mikael Tillström. Besides the burning passion for tennis and player development, they have another thing in common – they have all taken the step from being good tennis players to become world-class elite players. The academy rests on a uniquely developed concept called CARE. C.A.R.E: Concentration – Attitude – Respect – Energy. Whether it’s tennis, physics or how we treat the people around us, these factors are important to help others achieve success. Please visit goodtogreat.se/en for more information.

SOURCE Swing Racquet + Paddle

Senior Pickleball Report

Life Time Opens 12th Athletic Country Club in Dallas-Fort Worth with Debut of Life Time Las Colinas; Waitlist Also Open for Westlake Location

Expands Life Time’s footprint to 32 locations in Texas

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DALLAS /PRNewswire/ — Life Time (NYSE: LTH) continues its growth in Texas with two new athletic country clubs opening in the coming months. Located in Irving, Life Time Las Colinas opens April 26. Later this summer, the nearby Life Time Westlake will debut. A waitlist is now open.

The nearly 110,000-square-foot, two-story Life Time Las Colinas club features everything one can think of to live a healthy, happy life for themselves and their entire family – from 90 days old to 90 years old.

The nearly 110,000-square-foot, two-story Life Time Las Colinas club features everything one can think of to live a healthy, happy life for themselves and their entire family – from 90 days old to 90 years old. Amenity highlights include indoor and outdoor pools with luxurious beach clubs, seven pickleball courts (indoor and outdoor) with viewing areas, Life Time’s Kids Academy for learning and playing, a LifeCafe restaurant, full-service LifeSpa with treatments for body, hair, nails, and skin and luxurious locker rooms with rejuvenation suites. 

“Our expansion in the Dallas-Fort Worth market is indicative of the continued strong demand for our athletic country clubs, with a wide array of healthy way of life programming and the incredible teams who deliver our member experiences,” said Parham Javaheri, Life Time EVP, President of Club Operations, and Chief of Property Development. “From our outdoor beach clubs, recovery spaces and top-tier indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, we look forward to helping even more area residents live healthy, happy lives. This will continue with the opening of Life Time Westlake in the summer.”

Life Time’s Dynamic Personal Trainers will guide and support members toward their fitness goals, while Dynamic Stretch Specialists can provide assisted-stretch sessions to aid in members’ recovery efforts throughout the spacious fitness floor featuring the best-in-class cardio, strength and fitness equipment. The clubs will also feature ARORA programming specifically for active agers.

With its spacious fitness and functional training floor, members can take their training to the next level with cardiovascular and resistance-training machines, free weights, and the LT Recovery Zone with compression therapy, metabolic testing, recovery treatments, nutrition counseling and chiropractic services. Life Time’s own GTX, Alpha, and Ultra Fit signature group training classes are included in membership.

Additionally, more than 100 classes will be offered across multiple studios from Life Time’s Class Collection including barre, cycle, strength, Pilates and yoga classes led by the area’s top instructors.

Life Time Las Colinas is located at 7320 N. State Highway 161 in Irving and will be open to serve members from 4 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Signature Membership holders also may visit other area Life Time clubs.

For more information on features and amenities at Life Time Las Colinas, visit the club’s website, or call 214-231-5600. You can learn more about Life Time Westlake and join the waitlist for the club ahead of its summer opening by clicking here.

Life Time debuted in the Dallas-Fort Worth market with the opening of Life Time Plano in 2003. It most recently opened Life Time McKinney at Craig Ranch in late-2022. 

Life Time is continuing to grow its athletic country club locations nationwide through 2024. Click here for a complete list of new Life Time locations coming soon.

About Life Time®
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 170 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The health and wellness pioneer also delivers a range of healthy way of life programs and information via its complimentary Life Time app. The Company’s healthy living, healthy aging, healthy entertainment communities and ecosystem serve people 90 days to 90+ years old and is supported by a team of more than 37,000 dedicated professionals. In addition to delivering the best programs and experiences through its clubs, Life Time owns and produces nearly 30 of the most iconic athletic events in the country.

SOURCE Life Time, Inc.

https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
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Senior Pickleball Report

Hellas Paves the Way for Topseed Pickleball Installing Durable TPS Court Surfacing in Tulsa

Topseed Pickleball partners with Hellas to install durable TPS Court Surfacing in Tulsa, paving the way for a thriving pickleball community.

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Pickleball, a unique blend of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, has grown rapidly in popularity, attracting an estimated 36.5 million players in the past year alone. One facility that has embraced this expanding sport is TOPSEED Pickleball in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With a state-of-the-art facility and an unwavering commitment to quality, they have partnered with Hellas to install TPS Court Surfacing, creating an exceptional playing experience for pickleball enthusiasts.

Durable and Innovative Court Surfaces:

Hellas, the largest sports contractor in America, implemented 5″ thick post-tensioned concrete slabs covering approximately 25,000 square feet. This high-quality court surface ensures longevity and withstands the demands of pickleball gameplay. The TPS Court Surfacing consists of silica sand, providing a medium to slower ball speed, and features two main colors of green and blue with white trim, adhering to the United States Tennis Association line specifications. With the incorporation of TPS 5000® Fortified Acrylic Color Coating, the court lines are defined with precision.

Unparalleled Expertise:

Hellas’ commitment to excellence extends beyond court surfacing. Employing post tensioning techniques below the court surface, they guarantee the durability and longevity of the pickleball courts. TOPSEED Pickleball General Manager, James Moore, emphasizes that the quality of the courts is instrumental in attracting and retaining players. By choosing Hellas’ post tensioning concrete and TPS Court Surfacing, TOPSEED Pickleball ensures their customers have the best playing experience possible.

Versatility and Customization:

TPS Court Surfaces are not limited to pickleball. They are suitable for various sports, such as tennis, futsal, and multi-sport courts, allowing for versatility in facility usage. Each TPS Court Surface project is tailored to the specific needs of clients, including the incorporation of logos, windscreens, benches, and backboards. Hellas’ expertise in customization ensures that every facility is unique and meets the highest standards.

Illuminated for Optimal Gameplay:

Lighting is crucial for outdoor pickleball courts. TOPSEED Pickleball installed 12 LSI lighting sports fixtures, supported by eight 20-foot lighting poles, offering exceptional visibility during evening play. The innovative design of these fixtures allows for easy removal of posts and nets, enabling the facility to accommodate major and minor league pickleball events, including the seating required for spectators.

Smooth Construction and Timely Delivery:

TOPSEED Pickleball’s Managing Partner, Brett Benton, commended Hellas for their professionalism and smooth construction process. With a single point of contact throughout the project, Hellas delivered the project on time and under budget, showcasing their commitment to customer satisfaction.

 “Post tensioning concrete & TPS Court Surfacing by Hellas was the formula to maintain our customer base.” TOPSEED GM James Moore

Hellas’ expertise and dedication to excellence have made them a leader in the sports surfacing industry. Their collaboration with TOPSEED Pickleball to install TPS Court Surfacing in Tulsa highlights the importance of quality courts in attracting players and fostering a thriving pickleball community. With their versatile surfaces and exceptional durability, Hellas and TPS Court Surfacing continue to pave the way for exceptional athletic experiences across various sports.

For more information about TOPSEED Pickleball and their facility, please visit their website at topseedpickleball.com or take a virtual tour here: [Insert provided link].

About Hellas:
Hellas, headquartered in Austin, Texas, is America’s largest sports contractor. They specialize in the manufacturing, construction, and installation of sports surfaces and amenities. With an extensive portfolio of successful projects, Hellas continues to lead the industry with comprehensive solutions for turf, tracks, courts, and sports lighting projects. http://www.hellasconstruction.com/

About TOPSEED Pickleball:
TOPSEED Pickleball, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has established itself as a premier pickleball facility with 12 USPA regulation pickleball courts and a range of amenities. They offer lessons, tournaments, leagues, and a fantastic club atmosphere, making it a go-to destination for pickleball enthusiasts.

About USA Pickleball:
USA Pickleball is the world’s first national pickleball organization, founded in 1984. It promotes and supports the growth of pickleball across the United States, and its dedication has contributed significantly to the sport’s popularity and success. https://usapickleball.org/

SOURCE Hellas

https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
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pickleball and sports exclusive

Experience the Thrilling Pickleball Showdown at Life Time PENN 1 in NYC – A Historic Event with Tennis Champ Andre Agassi and Pro Pickleball Pros!

“Witness the electrifying pickleball showdown with tennis legend Andre Agassi and top pros at Life Time PENN 1 in NYC – a sports event to remember!”

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On May 4, 2024, a historic event took place at Life Time PENN 1 in New York City. Tennis Grand Slam Champion Andre Agassi, along with top-rated pickleball pros Ben Johns, Collin Johns, Tyson McGuffin, and Anna Bright, gathered for an exhilarating pickleball showdown. As the world’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball continues to captivate audiences, and this event was no exception.


Over 300 guests had the privilege of watching this exciting display of athleticism and camaraderie. Some lucky individuals even had the opportunity to play alongside these esteemed professionals. The atmosphere was electric as the crowd cheered on their favorite players, basking in the thrill of the competition.

Bahram Akradi, Life Time Founder, Chairman, and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This easily goes down as one of the most exciting days for Life Time in New York City since our Life Time Sky opening in 2016.” Akradi, an avid tennis and pickleball player himself, recognized the significance of having these world-class athletes together. The event marked the opening of PENN 1 as the city’s iconic pickleball destination, cementing Life Time’s commitment to expanding access, enhancing programming, and building a community around racquet sports.

This goes down as one of the most exciting days for Life Time in New York City since our Life Time Sky opening in 2016.

Life Time has been making waves in the racquet sports world, exemplified by their appointment of Andre Agassi as the inaugural chair of the Life Time Pickleball and Tennis Board. Agassi’s involvement underscores the company’s dedication to fostering the growth of racquet sports. Life Time has also formed partnerships with elite pickleball players such as Ben and Collin Johns, who have created a series of instructional videos exclusively available through the Life Time digital app.

Since 2021, Life Time has become the largest owner and operator of permanent pickleball courts, boasting over 680 courts nationwide, with nine located in New York City. The company has also hosted multiple MLP and PPA tournaments, including their own Pickleball Classic. The May 4 event showcased the support from key Life Time partners, including JOOLA, DUPR, and lululemon, who have all contributed to the growth of racquet sports.

Life Time PENN 1, which opened on April 15, has already become a hotspot for pickleball enthusiasts. With seven street-level pickleball courts, it offers a vibrant community for play, leagues, clinics, and tournaments for players of all skill levels. Life Time operates nine destinations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and Life Time Sky has two indoor pickleball courts.

This event was a testament to the expansive reach of pickleball and its ability to bring people together. It showcased the passion and dedication of both professional athletes and enthusiasts alike. As the frenzy around pickleball continues to build, Life Time remains at the forefront, committed to delivering exceptional experiences and fostering a love for racquet sports.

For those who missed the event, a recap is available for viewing. To learn more about Life Time in New York City and their dedication to racquet sports, visit their website. Life Time continues to empower individuals to live healthy, happy lives through its athletic clubs and range of healthy living programs. As a pioneer in health and wellness, the company’s impact extends to people of all ages and is supported by a team of dedicated professionals. In addition to their clubs, Life Time also owns and produces some of the most iconic athletic events in the country, further solidifying their commitment to healthy living.

About Life Time®

Life Time (NYSE: LTH) is a company that operates over 170 athletic country clubs in the United States and Canada. They aim to empower individuals to lead healthy and happy lives. In addition to their clubs, Life Time offers a range of healthy lifestyle programs and information through their complimentary Life Time Digital app. Their services cater to people of all ages, from 90 days to 90+ years old. With a dedicated team of over 37,000 professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences. They also own and produce nearly 30 well-known athletic events in the country.

https://www.lifetime.life

SOURCE Life Time, Inc.

https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
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