In 2025, Southern Pickleball Academy expanded youth pickleball access across Aiken and Edgefield counties, strengthened school partnerships, grew the First Paddle youth program, and hosted the region’s only junior pickleball tournament, Battle of the Paddles. Through clinics, tournaments, and community events, the Academy continued building healthy youth and communities through pickleball.

Pickleball.com now offers parent-managed accounts for kids under 17! Learn how families can safely register young players for pickleball tournaments, lessons, and ratings while maintaining full parental control and oversight.

Twenty-four enthusiastic teenagers took the court on Saturday, May 25, for the first annual Battle of the Paddles pickleball tournament.