According to a recent NPR article, pickleball is one of America’s fastest growing sports with nearly 5 million people now playing.
Erin Flehmer and Caleb Reynolds, Cassville High School coaches and physical education instructors, have started a CHS Pickleball Club that encourages students to meet after school in the winter months and before school this spring to learn more about this rapidly growing sport.
“The chance to offer a pickleball club to our students is very exciting,” Flehmer said. “Pickleball is an up-and-coming activity that gives students a chance to learn a lifelong sport. Our students are excited about the chance to play.”
As with any sport, up-to-date equipment is needed in order for athletes to be successful and properly learn the skills and rules of the game. Flehmer and Reynolds were recently notified that the CHS Pickleball Club has been awarded donations by two generous pickleball organizations.
CHS has received a grant through The USA Pickleball Association Youth & Collegiate Grant Program that will provide balls, paddles and nets to the new club.
The USA Pickleball Association grant program encourages organizations to offer a youth or collegiate pickleball program or club. Pickleball participants benefit from the instructional resources as well as dynamic games/ activities developed by USA Pickleball.
In addition to the grant provided by the USA Pickleball Association, the local club will also receive pickleball paddles from the Jefferson County Pickleball League, located in Crystal City. It is a not-for-profit organization that has elected to provide all additional needs for the growing club beyond the grant limits from the USA Pickleball Association.
Youth program providers or official college/university club members can apply for a USA Pickleball Youth & Collegiate grant for a maximum of $350 per location for the purchase of eligible pickleball equipment. For the site to be eligible for a grant, the specific location must be identified and the address added to the Places 2 Play app. CHS is listed as an official place to play on the Places 2 Play app.
