Emily Clark believes PWHL will continue to grow in second season
Dec 02, 2024
The Ottawa Charge forward is enjoying the physical aspect of the league.
The over 1100 pickleball players in Saskatoon now have more court space, with eight new courts open.
The new courts, at Saskatoon Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre on Primrose Drive in Lawson Heights, were built with hopes of easing the pressures of the growing sport in the city.
Marilyn Barrington, director with Pickleball Saskatchewan, said adding thee courts was very important.
“Over the last couple years we’ve had to put a quota on players when they’re booking,” said Barrington. “Now with these courts we can at least raise that quota.”
Barrington said the quota, that limits on how many players can use the courts and ihow many times a player can come out, ensures that everyone has equal opportunities to play.
Saskatoon Pickleball Inc. was created in 2017 as a non-profit organization. When it first started around 90 people signed up, now the sport has boomed in popularity.
The new courts have a plastic foam-like floor that has many players excited.
“The cushioning of these floors, because it is plastic flooring poured rubber, people really do notice the difference on their body,” said Barrington.
The new courts will also improve player safety.
“Typically courts are painted on cement foundations,” said Barrington. “(They) have a gritty surface that has no give to them.”
The ribbon has been cut and 8 new pickleball courts have opened up in Saskatoon at the Lawson Heights Soccer Centre @CKOMNews #YXE pic.twitter.com/vR8IhxiwwD
— Will Mandzuk (@WMandzuk) September 27, 2024
Barrington said pickleball is sport is for all ages. Players use a paddle and a plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball, and matches can be played either one-on-one or two-on-two. The first person or team to score 11 points is the winner.
The low-movement sport has a similar rule set to tennis, but the quick back and forth action is closer to table tennis.
“Everyone can play pickleball,” said Barrington. “Typically the average age is close to 58 .. and that average age is going down as university students (and) high school students are coming out to play.”
This is a trend that pickleball teacher Dexter Wyse is seeing as well. He saild he enjoys teaching pickleball because it’s a fun and easy game to learn.
“I teach any age — I’ve had down to a six year old,” said Wyse. “But most of them are college age and up.”
Wyse said it’s a good sport to keep you active.
“There’s a lot more exercise than people realize,” said Wyse. “So you do get a workout without really realizing you’re out there putting out some energy and having fun.”
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