Merolla Dakkash

The sport of Pickleball has taken the world by storm, becoming a must-play sport, arriving on TV channels such as ESPN with tournaments broadcasted for the whole world to see.
“Pickleball is a combination of ping-pong, tennis, and badminton,” said Physical Education teacher Kathryn Putnam. “The sport uses wooden paddles to play, and it does not involve other equipment.”
Students said they believe that pickleball is a great activity for their generation to get outside more, and take breaks from phones.
“The sport is good exercise, and it doesn’t require much athletic ability,” said junior Remy St. Germain.
In August, junior Matthew Bruce and his father started a business dedicated to making pickleball more accessible for those living near Wachusett, located behind GH2 in Holden.
“We opened Pickleground in August, there are currently two courts available,” said Bruce. “When I started playing a couple years ago, no one knew about the sport, and now everyone knows about it.”
Putnam includes Pickleball in her Lifetime Sports classes.
“Pickleball is one of the most growing sports in the United States, and has been for the past couple of years,” said Putnam. “I love teaching pickleball, but I wish I could spend more time on it.”
The ball makes a unique noise when contacting the paddle. It sounds like the noise of a wiffle ball, but louder.
“I have noticed my students love the noise the ball makes when we play,” said Putnam.
Because of the similarities between pickleball and tennis, some say they think pickleball will replace the sport of Tennis.
“I think people like pickleball more than tennis because [pickleball] is easier, and far less complicated,” said junior Dylan Chiem, who plays both sports. “Tennis is more complicated and some people do not understand it because of its rules.”
Around the US, pickleball has become a competitive sport in some school districts who create teams to play against other schools.
“We have not discussed pickleball at the Mid Wach League level,” said Athletic Director Jennifer Lynch. “But I wouldn’t be surprised to see it as a club at Wachusett.”
Bruce said he has thought of donating paddles to get more of the district involved with the sport.
“I have thought about starting a club,” said Bruce. “I think it would be fun for the community.”
Several students said they would like to see a pickleball club or team form at the Regional eventually.
Sophomore Lila Myers said “I think a club would be cool so more students learn about the sport who do not know about it.”