Back To School – Push for Pickleball in P.E. Curriculums and PBC Grant Programs

Outtake from a timely article on trackit blog: “We all remember going to P.E. class and shuffling through the units and gym games –– volleyball, soccer, football, dodgeball, basketball, softball/baseball, and other popular sports. Gym class was a time to get together with peers, get a fun workout in, and learn the fundamentals of various sports to encourage lifelong physical activity. The traditional physical education (phys-ed or P.E.) curriculum has shaped young athletes and our country’s sports landscape into what it is today, but it has evolved over time; even sports like ultimate frisbee and pickleball are now P.E. staples.

More and more schools are adding pickleball to the mix. As the sport climbs in popularity, phys-ed programs create opportunities for young people to learn about pickleball in schools. This is huge for pickleball prosperity and implementation across all ages, which has been an overall obstacle for the sport since its inception.

We’ve already seen some great strides for youth pickleball outside of school. Pickleball is now an official sport in the Special Olympics USA Games, and NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition even did a feature on pickleball this past June. There have also been a growing number of youth pickleball camps and programs over the past few years put on by local pickleball clubs and facilities. Introducing pickleball to schools is a monumental step that could finally make pickleball a core sport…”

Read the full article from trackitblog by Kelly Campbell here.

Also, PickleballBC (PBC) provides Community and Youth Program Grants. These grants provide up to $500 to provide “seed” support for the needs, growth and participation in pickleball throughout BC to communities, associations, clubs and schools. Qualified investments include approved paddles and balls, portable or permanent net systems, lines, and instructional assistance. For more details on how these Grant programs can assist in your pickleball expansion plans and how you can apply, see our PBC Grant Program info here.