Move over Stanley cups, there’s a new craze that fans are gushing over…pickleball!
But don’t be mistaken, because just like the timeless Stanley brand was reclaimed, this age-old sport is not new to the game — just re-popularized by a modern generation of fandom. And just like the Stanley cup (specifically, the Quencher) is a must-have accessory to many in the world of responsible choices and sustainability, so is pickleball when it comes to health benefits and engaging in a community of like-minders.
Invented around 1965, from a remix of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, pickleball has become one the fastest growing sports in the United States.
Pickleball was started by three dads, Congressman Joel Pritchard, businessman Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities. As the story goes, pickleball was discovered — sort of by accident — from their children’s desire to play some rounds of badminton in the backyard with the family, but had to improvise with their mix-match sports equipment on deck.
There’s a whole lot more to the history of pickleball: the progression of the game rules and how the name was created, original hand-made equipment from carved wood, becoming an officially recognized sport, and the first national tournament.
Pickleball has been tapped as a sport that just about anyone can play, no matter the age, gender, or skill level, which its creators intended — to be a game for the whole family. Pickleball offers a fun, social, and friendly experience whether just picking up the paddle for the first time on a backyard court, or playing a fast-paced, competitive style in national tournaments. The rules are simple and most players quickly become obsessed.
So, what’s all the hype about pickleball? Depends on who you ask.
Photo by Connor Ryan
We visited with staff and players at Pickleball 901, a local indoor pickleball venue at Carriage Crossing in Collierville, who shared the excitement of offering access to the sport for Memphians. The climate-controlled facility features eight indoor courts, offering players of all skill levels a place to play, compete, and connect. Literally from grade school to retirement, this low-impact sport with simple rules allows a diverse age of players to serve up a game of fun that is never-ending.
Adam Clay, co-founder and CEO of Pickleball 901 and Pickleball Pop-Ups, expresses a clear assessment and testament to the outpouring love of pickleball. “Pickleball has been experiencing a surge in popularity recently for several reasons,” he says. “Overall, the combination of its social nature, accessibility, and the sense of community around the sport contributes to its growing appeal.”
According to Clay, the pickleball experience offers:
- Accessibility: The game is easy to learn and doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment. A pickleball paddle and a few balls are relatively affordable, and you can play on a court that’s similar in size to a bad-minton court.
- Social Aspect: Pickleball is often played in doubles, which makes it a very social sport. It’s common for friends and family to play together, and the game’s pace allows for plenty of interaction.
- Inclusivity for All Ages: It’s a sport that can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. The smaller court and slower pace make it less physically demanding compared to tennis, which appeals to older adults as well as younger players.
- Health Benefits: It’s a good way to get exercise without putting too much strain on the joints. The game combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, offering a full-body workout that can improve cardiovascular health, balance, and coordination.
- Community and Club Growth: Many communities are building dedicated pickleball courts and forming clubs. This has helped boost the sport’s visibility and provide organized opportunities for play.
- Media and Celebrity Endorsement: Pickleball has been getting more media attention and has been endorsed by various celebrities and athletes, which has helped raise its profile.
This summer, Pickleball 901 launched the grand opening of its brick-and-mortar facility with the promise of a fun and inviting environment for players to enjoy the game of pickleball year-round. Prior to opening the venue, many players and fans had already deemed their loyalty to the sport through participation in the pop-ups around town, sponsored by Pickleball 901, which started an impressive community of individuals — from all walks — who desired to play the game. And they wanted more.
Some of the pop-ups included a creative Beale St. take-over, courts on the grounds at Tom Lee Park, Grind City Brewing Co., and other cool outdoor spaces across Memphis.
“The pop-ups were actually meant to serve as marketing for our eventual grand opening (and ultimately it served that purpose well), but once the pop-ups became its own business opportunity, we put the club on hold indefinitely,” says Clay. “After several months of perfecting our pop-up capability at events, we redesigned our club plans to include many of those elements, and hit the ground running!”
Pickleball 901 understands the importance of supporting friends and family time together, and makes it a goal to create an atmosphere for fun and fellowship. “We designed our club (and fashion all of our events) to be about people being together and having a blast,” says Clay. “It’s not just pickleball, but everything surrounding it. In a perfect world, we will create a social environment that just so happens to have pickleball.”
Unlike traditional membership-based models, Pickleball 901 has adopted a pay-to-play approach, ensuring accessibility and flexibility for everyone interested in the sport.
When asked about the overall experience Pickleball 901 wants individuals to take away: “That’s easy — joy,” says Clay. “Whether it’s from seeing friends, making new ones, and/or playing this incredibly fun sport!”
Pickleball 901 wants to impact the health and benefits of families through this sport. “I personally have lost 100 lbs as a result of this sport and introducing people to something that is fun and provides enormous health benefits is nearly automatic with what we do,” says Clay.
Photo by Erika Cain
Pickleball staff after a practice game with players. (From left to right) Nick Wiseman, Ryan Patterson, Angie Arrowood, and Sean Buckingham
Not only are the players part of a community, but the staff are genuinely one-with-all and rooting for pickleball to become a game-changing lifestyle within society. “I get to work and teach at the best place in town,” says Nick Wiseman, director of programming at Pickleball 901, as he sees his share of players from first-timers to competitive pros.
Pickleball 901 has designed a space that encompasses amenities throughout the facility for all ages and preferences, including arcade games, ping-pong and foosball, and even a hangout lounge.
“We are very family-oriented with something for everyone,” says Angie Arrowood, team lead at Pickleball 901, and 3-year pickleball player. “We are truly a community of people.”
At Pickleball 901, individuals can expect simple and affordable pricing. Stay as long as you want, they say. No reservations required. Oh, and don’t have equipment? No worries, because they’ve got you covered with that, too. Just pay a small rental fee and you’re all set.
To learn more about the experience at Pickleball 901 and Pickleball Pop-Ups, or to take a virtual tour of the facility, visit pickleball901.com.