The Power of First Paddle

Here at Southern Pickleball Academy, we believe in the power of pickleball to transform lives. I’ve seen friends go from zero to fifty in their pickleball skills while at the same time losing those fifty pounds that had crept up on them through the years.  I’ve heard players talk about how pickleball saved them from depression after their spouse died.  I’ve seen people with Parkinson’s get out on the court and play as if the disease had no grip on their body.  Pickleball truly is a powerful sport.

One of our main missions with our non-profit Academy has been focusing this power on our youth, many of whom struggle with loneliness and mental health problems.  We want to help our youth become more active and form real social relationships by putting down their phones and picking up a paddle.  Over the past two years we’ve done this through our school grant program, donating well over $20,000 worth of pickleball equipment to some 16 schools in Aiken County while providing hands-on support as they grow their pickleball programs.  And we continue to spread this program to other schools in the area.   

But we’ve taken our desire to bring pickleball to youth a huge step forward with a new program: First Paddle. Southern Pickleball Academy has designed this youth pickleball program to go beyond traditional sports training by integrating essential life lessons and character development activities into its curriculum.

This fall we’ve run our six-week pilot program with 16 youth ages 10-14.  Along with two trained and vetted mentors, our certified pickleball professional Lisa Barrett-Johnson has led the sessions with skill and humor. Sponsored by Mental Health America-Aiken, and held in the gym at St. John’s Methodist church in downtown Aiken, the three courts are filled with the thwack of balls, cheers of encouragement from both the leaders and the participants, and the excited laughter of the youth as they drill with a variety of games and activities.

Our First Paddle mission statement says it all: At First Paddle, we will teach you pickleball moves and super cool ways to be a better person. Our big dream is that you'll love pickleball forever and use what you learn here to be amazing on and off the court! 

Yes, these children are learning how to play the game.  Some had never held a paddle before and are now able to dink and drive with ease. They are becoming adept at keeping score and knowing where they need to be on the court.  They have learned a good mix of skills that will allow them to take their games to the next level. And they are having fun doing it.

But even more important have been the life lessons and character traits that the youth will carry off the court.  They’ve practiced manners and etiquette, taking responsibility for their actions, and how to communicate clearly.  They’ve worked on conflict resolution and the important skill of turning failure into success. Through the game of pickleball, integrity and sportsmanship have been highlighted. Each of these skills can be taken off court and into their lives.

We believe that First Paddle has the power to transform the lives of our youth, introducing them to a game that’s so much more than just a game. Giving these youth the skills not just to play pickleball but to live their best lives: that’s what drives us to do what we do!