100 participants. The games introduced adapted sports to
injured, wounded, disabled and ill veterans and service
members.
Pam Redding, Creator and Volunteer
Director of the Valor Games, stated
that “pickleball was a hit off the bat and
everyone was talking about it.” Other
coaches from other sports came over to
check out pickleball after noticing their own
participants kept going back to the pickleball
demo. Much of this success was attributed to Rock N
Roll Pickleball’s interactive team. “We deviated from all other
known methods for pickleball clinics and approached the demo
and clinic in an adaptive manner,” said Adrienne.
Part of this success was also due to para-pickleball’s “Thank
You for Your Service” Paddle Drive donors, who supplied over
200 paddles, allowing everyone an opportunity to participate
including volunteers, family and caretakers. When we caught
up with Valor Games Far West athlete John Schmidt, a retired
Army medic, he had his paddle and ball from the paddle drive
with
him. He was on his way to the gym to practice
serving and volleying. Although John
had never heard of the sport before
the demonstration, he shared
that he experienced “...personal
development being around
like-min ded people in a
team environment. I had not
been in a team environment
before.” He also finds the
Rock N Roll aspect appealing, stating that
it is dynamic, allowing him to be selective
in how to use his remaining leg.
When asked about the future of USAPA
Para-Pickleball, Pam Redding, a 25-year
adaptive sport veteran and paralympic
coach, said, “In order for anything to succeed,
you need a strong, dedicated leadership team
and it seems that Para‑Pickleball has that.”
THE WHEELS OF CHANGE
It has been a
little over a year
since the USAPA
fully integrated
the sport.
Adrienne sums
it up by saying,
“Rules were just
the beginning
but we still have
challenges ahead.
We have huge
growth in the
sport and parapickleball is off
to a good start as
long as support
keeps coming.
One place we could use support is in making sure we create
accessible courts. Currently this issue, and a lack of adapted
courts, have delayed para-pickleball’s progress.”
Adrienne continues to lead the development of the USAPA
Para-Pickleball program as well as Rock N Roll Pickleball and
is looking for others ready to help promote inclusion. She also
hopes to develop a local cadre of adaptive trainers and regional
teams.
Current demand for USAPA Para-Pickleball demos and Rock
N Roll Pickleball Clinics are outpacing their travel resources
and funds. While the “Thank You for Your Service” Paddle
Drive continues, there is also a growing need for adaptive
equipment such as wheelchairs and other supplies. The
USAPA will be starting a discounted veterans membership
and a para-membership soon. It also hopes to have a national
para-pickleball tournament in the next few years. Paratournaments will include singles and doubles as well as
regional team competitions and Rock N Roll competitions.
USAPA Para-Pickleball and Rock N Roll Pickleball are currently
seeking donors and sponsors as well as volunteers. For more
information in supporting USAPA Para-Pickleball go to
www.usapa.org/wheelchair-pickleball. To find out more about
Rock N Roll Pickleball please go to rocknrollpickleball.com. •
JULY/AUGUST 2016 |
MAGAZINE
39