Pickleball’s next generation are thriving at London Pickleball’s Junior Academy.
Supported by FOX Pickleball, hosted at the All England Lawn Tennis Club at Roehampton, and overseen by the indefatigable Lou Stephens, the Saturday sessions give young players the chance to play against and alongside other youngsters – rather than with adults.
Sarah Davis – who’s a full-time coach for a multi-sports company – is the academy’s lead coach.
She is very keen for young people to make friends and stay active and away from technology for at least a part of the week.
“I know that helped me when I used to leave school and then go to the squash club and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with my squash friends,” she says.
“I think that helps – having that separate community that you can reach out to.”
The pandemic lockdowns and the reliance on virtual schooling has had an impact on lots of young people’s social lives – so getting to know new people outside of the school setting can be really beneficial.
“Kids these days find it really hard to find their tribe, whereas if they get into a certain sport, they find they’ve met like-minded people,” says Sarah, who says she’s felt the same as an adult – giving up squash, but finding her new community via pickleball.
Of course the junior academy is a chance for great young players to get even better, but it’s also open to those who aren’t necessarily so skilled, giving them a new outlet as well as increasing their confidence.
And there’s also been a surprise at the older end of the youngsters’ age category, says Lou: “I really thought that the kids [aged] 13 to 18 would prefer to be at adult sessions – but actually, they just like being kids with other kids.”
She adds: “They are forming friendship groups. When we started the academy, I think there [were three players who] knew each other a little bit, but that was it – but now they’re all turning up, you can see them all going to their mates, and it is lovely. “
Sarah is pleased with the mix of boys and girls turning up to sessions, and both she and Lou hope for the junior academy to grow in the months to come – potentially with grant funding, for which they’re awaiting a decision.
“We have to be conscious that it’s not as easy running a kids’ session as it is an adult session,” says Lou, pointing to the necessity of having additional qualified volunteers to supervise the group, and thanking Pickleball England for their support and guidance when it comes to the legalities, including insurance.
And with a grin, Sarah adds that there’s a safety aspect that needs constant observation: “Put your goggles back on!”
