The brand new pickleball club is already a “hit” among students and staff. Started by seniors Cailyn Corley and Kiara Duane, the club aims to share their love for the sport with a whole new audience.
Corley began playing after her father opened a pickleball facility in January, and introduced Duane to the game the following May.
“I started playing because Cailyn took an interest in it and it’s just a really good way to bond with people,” Duane said.
The girls had the idea for the club after playing often at the pickleball facility over the summer. They knew the hype around the trend would attract a lot of new people.
“I’m just a part of the fad too,” Corley said. “It’s exciting to get to do a club about it and have a community for it. I’m excited.”
Pickleball appeals to many due to the game’s minimal learning curve and its beginner-friendly format. No matter the level of athletic ability or skill a player possesses, the game, and club, is open to everyone.
“It’s so easy to just go out and play, it’s free a lot of the time and it’s really easy to play with anyone who hasn’t played before,” Corley said.
The pickleball club is aided by AP Human and AP World teacher Christina Scholz, who is just as excited as the officers to meet new people, learn and grow the game.
“I actually have never played pickleball. I am not athletic, I’m a history teacher, but Gary Sosa said anyone could play regardless of athleticism,” Scholz said. “I think you’re gonna get kids from all backgrounds playing and I love when there’s a mixture like that.”
Some goals for the club this year include hosting tournaments, meeting with other schools to encourage them to start pickleball clubs and to make sure the club has a place to continue next year.
“We want to encourage juniors and sophomores who want to step up to be leadership, we need people like that to come shadow us,” Duane said. “All of our officers are seniors.”
The pickleball club costs $10 to join and will hold their first meeting Friday, Sept. 13. Meetings will take place biweekly in either the library or room 276. You can also find them on Instagram at @wehspickleball.
