Retirees fuel explosive pickleball growth in Sussex County

The game of Pickleball — a combination of tennis, badminton and ping-pong — is not only a sport, but a way of life – a community for all ages where retirees especially continue to dominate the sport.

The dads from Washington State, Congressman Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities, are credited for creating the game in 1965, according to the USA Pickleball Association website.

Although the game has nothing in common with a pickle, it is believed to be named after Pritchard's dog, Pickles, who liked to steal the balls. 

Since 2010, the number of places to play across the U.S. has doubled in size.

Sussex County and the Delmarva area, home to many retirees, has seen a spurt in the game's appeal with courts now available in Dagsboro, Georgetown, Lewes, Milford and Ocean Pines.

First State Pickleball President Kathy Casey talks about the growth of the sport in Sussex County and the role the club plays to connect players.

In your opinion, why do you believe the sport has seen such an influx in the last few years and is that the case throughout Sussex County? 

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the nation and in Sussex County. Our club has grown from 57 members in December 2014 to 460 today.  

Given the explosive growth of pickleball in our community, primarily based on the retiree population that has moved here, we find that we need more courts. We think that this growth will continue as more people move here.  

In addition, we see the value of pickleball play as an opportunity to get people more active, less lonely and more engaged at all ages. We have numerous stories of players who have lost a ton of weight, gone off of medications for diabetes after weight loss and exercise, and some recovered from depression due to the increased activity. 

The benefits for overall emotional well-being are also huge in this community. 

The sport has gone from recreational to competitive where players can strive toward the national championships. Have any of your members made it to this level? Do you think it will ever become an Olympic sport?  

From the competitive part of the sport, I do believe that this will make it to the Olympics someday. It is a matter of it becoming a collegiate sport first, I think.   

Looking around at the tournaments tells me that more and more young people are playing. At the U.S. Open Nationals this year the youngest player is 10. The youngest 5.0 Pro is 12. 

Pickleball is a good opportunity for younger people because it gets them active and social with little skill needed when playing just for fun. Kids love it because it is so easy to play.

I would say that while the sport has gone competitive it is still very social and recreational for most players. The best thing about pickleball is that it gives you an instant group of friends to gather with for some laughs and exercise.  

For those who like the competition there are more and more opportunities. We hold the Beach Blast every year and attendance continues to grow each year. We had to move it to Kent County Recreations Center is Dover because we do not have a venue that can accommodate the number of players in Sussex County. 

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How would you encourage newcomers of all ages to give it a try?

Go to the First State Pickleball Club’s website — www.firststtepickleball.org — to find places to play.  

We include information for each venue so that you can find out when there are beginner’s clinics, lessons and play for new players. We also are lucky to have a number of USAPA (USA Pickleball Association) ambassadors for the entire area and they often help out in hosting community beginners groups.  

There have been plans to develop an indoor complex in Lewes/Rehoboth. Did you find a location yet and how are the plans coming along so far?

We are looking at the possibility of getting permanent indoor and outdoor pickleball courts for the many retirees that live here year-round and for those who would come here to play in competitive events.  

This would increase accessibility for all ages and we could look at getting organized play, clinics and round robins for the local community across all age groups. In addition, it offers opportunities for the tourism industry in the off-season. 

The club itself is 100 percent run by volunteers to promote pickleball play and good sportsmanship. An anonymous player is quoted as saying, “It takes more than one big pickle to run a great pickleball club.” To date, how many volunteers do you have and what are some projects you need volunteers for?

We are fortunate to have a number of volunteers who give their time when called upon to help out with a clinic or tournament. We have a board of seven members who help plan out the events of the year based on community input. The pickleball community is a very welcoming community with many who lend a hand to help others take advantage of the fun.

To become a member with First State Pickleball Club, it is $25 for 12 months and $15 for 6 months. What are some benefits of becoming a paid member?

One of the first benefits is the community that is instantly created when you meet the pickleball community.  

Our mission is to promote the development of the sport of pickleball through participation, training and good sportsmanship. We spend time getting people to improve their skill and understanding the concept and rules of the game. 

We are also able to benefit from discounts at the select stores.  

We have worked very hard to develop the venues that we have indoors who have accommodated the pickleball community and its growth.  We are very appreciative for the venues that we have. 

Members can enjoy an active Social Committee that organizes various events across the year such as our holiday party, fun nights out at restaurants for happy hour, magic shows, bike riding, kayaking, and playing pickleball. We just love our pickleball people and having fun!

What is something the club has done through its own fundraising?  

We have some courts at J.M. Clayton Elementary School in Dagsboro where the IRSD allowed us to take the old tennis courts and turn them into 10 permanent pickleball courts that we use whenever school is not in session. 

We did that project through our own fundraising and the physical labor of some of our members. They are open to the public and make a very nice venue for the nicer days of the year.  

IF YOU GO

First State Pickleball Club

Where: various locations (indoor and outdoor)

When: Year-round

Info: www.firststatepickleball.org