As the school year commences, students mark their calendars for upcoming sports and club interest meetings. NC caters to a diverse number of interests, with after-school activities ranging from volunteer and service-focused clubs to serve the local community, such as Key Club, to leisurely hobbies in the NeedleWorks Club. However, as a new pastime seizes the U.S. by storm, one interest remains missing from the ever-growing extracurricular list: pickleball.
“One day, when I was about 10, I went to the tennis court with my cousin. During this time, we used to go together at least once a week. She pulled out a pickleball racket and asked me if I knew how to play. It was really easy to learn for me, since it’s a lot like tennis. From then on, I fell in love with pickleball. I found it a great way to spend time with my cousin and get in shape,” magnet sophomore Aniyah Kennedy said.
In recent years, this sport has skyrocketed in popularity. Pickleball combines elements of tennis with facile maneuvers. Along with a minimal learning curve, the only equipment necessary includes an inexpensive ball and a paddle — materials commonly available at a majority of major retailers. Moreover, the friendly Kennesaw and Acworth community’s seasoned players frequently offer to teach beginners in the readily available tennis courts found in neighborhoods, community centers and on NC’s campus, accessible for any future clubs.
Kennesaw Mountain and Lassiter High School currently offer a pickleball club as a space for students to share their love for the sport beyond the court. Since not every school in Cobb County offers a pickleball club, these schools currently only compete against their own club members. NC forming a pickleball club would not only benefit students ready to serve, but also connect players across the county. Furthermore, Baptist Health reports link pickleball to stress reduction, a statistic that increases as the school year progresses. While pickleball typically exists as a competitive sport, it does not require nearly as much physical exertion or result in mental burnout when compared to other popular high school sports. Players can enjoy the activity as a casual, easy-going recreation or as a heart-hammering hobby. With quick matches, the pickleball club can serve as an enjoyable activity for members of different commitment levels and skill sets.
Recreational leagues have experienced the roaring success and popularity of their programs, with neighborhoods and private sports centers increasing the number of tennis courts converted to pickleball courts. However, because a majority of players participate in programs outside of school, teachers may remain skeptical of sponsoring a pickleball club. Nevertheless, the cornhole club, a club created last year, demonstrates that it remains possible for such a club to exist. This shows that students continue to hold an interest in activities for personal enjoyment, and not just clubs that appear impressive on college resumes. Evidently, students report that pickleball served as an amusing summer pastime, mixing exercise and quality time with friends.
“When I played [pickleball] in the summer, I genuinely enjoyed it so much. I was almost playing it every day. It’s such a great sport to get to know new people. I think a pickleball club will be successful because it is similar to tennis, and we do have tennis fans at school. I also think it’s a fun way to get your body moving,” magnet sophomore Ceyda Sledge said.
The trending pastime continues beyond a niche interest, existing as a hobby accessible to all with affordable equipment and uncomplicated swings. NC starting a pickleball club would not only prove beneficial to dedicated athletes, but also to students who desire a space to socialize alongside a low-intensity, weekday exercise with friends.
