Pickleball News flash

Laughter and music waft through the air as pickleball players compete at the Harris M. Saxon Community Center and Park tennis courts on just about any given night.These individuals, who organize near-daily matches through their Deltona Pickleball Club Facebook Group, are part of the fastest-growing sport in the United States.Pickleball, a paddle sport similar to tennis and ping-pong, in which players volley a perforated plastic ball over a net on a court, is unique in its diverse and cross-generational appeal.

In the past three years, pickleball has grown by 223.5%, and has seen increased participation in every age group, according to a 2024 SFIA Topline Participation Report.Deltona is no exception, as it hosts the Deltona Inaugural Pickleball Tournament from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the Harris M. Saxon Community Center and Park, 2329 California St. The tournament is sponsored by the City of Deltona and the Pickleball brand, Selkirk. Deltona residents Lydia Lambert and Matthew Shaw organized the event in response to the growing pickleball community

The Deltona Pickleball Club Facebook Group picked up more than 250 players since its creation in June 2024, Mr. Shaw said.“You don’t necessarily have to be amazing or an amazing athlete to (play pickleball),” Mr. Shaw said. The sport is enticing because it allows players to get their energy out and have a good time. Mr. Shaw took up pickleball after participating in the 2024 Deltona Mayor Fitness Challenge.

He had started playing tennis after the challenge to stay active, but transitioned to pickleball after it was suggested by a friend. “We like to teach people how to play because it’s very easy to get started…it creates some trust there,” he said. “It lets people know that they can move, that they can still hit their physical goals while having fun.”

Ms. Lambert has played pickleball since 2015 and credits the sport’s rise in popularity to its accessibility and sense of community. “We enjoy this game. You can play it no matter if you have a disability, or don’t have a disability–that has nothing to do with it,” Ms. Lambert said. “We enjoy coming out here. It’s a lot of good fellowship, a lot of good people of different ages. We just enjoy coming out and laughing at ourselves, and then other people too.” The inaugural Deltona round-robin tournament will have three three-hour sessions divided by age groups. The first session is for players 60 and older, the second session is for 18 and older, and the third session is for beginners who are 18 and older.

Tournament participants will receive a pickleball shirt, a swag bag, a wristband for meals and door prizes. Winners will receive a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place trophy. Deltona resident Ryan Ritter is participating in the tournament. He said he is excited to show the community how popular pickleball is becoming. He said it is starting to outgrow the space at Harris M. Saxon Community Center.

Ms. Lambert said the Deltona Pickleball Club plans to host a second tournament in the fall, which they hope will include a division for players 18 and under.