AROUND THE WORLD
Growing the Game
in Belgium
F
or the past eight years, Merv Olive (a USAPA
ambassador for Spotsylvania, VA), and his
wife, traveled to Leuvan, Belgium, to visit their
daughter and three grandsons during the
Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.
A few years ago, Merv decided to surf the web for
pickleball in Europe. He found a group of enthusiastic
pickleball players in Wallonia, Belgium.
The organizer and instructor in Belgium is Kassandra
Bourgeois, assisted by Jon-Luc and Marioline Bonsignore.
The group plays every
Wednesday evening from
8 to 10 p.m. at Athen`ee
Royal de Jodoigne and every
Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon
at Hall Sportif Grez-Doiceau.
Newcomers to pickleball are
taught during the Sunday
session in one of four courts.
The cost to play is five euros or
a little more than $6.
The predominant language
spoken in Wallonia is French, but pickleball successfully
crosses cultures and languages, as Merv did not have any
problems communicating with the other players. Games
are played to 9 for quicker rotation, and changing partners
is a mutual agreement between players prior to the start
of action. The Belgium players, many converted tennis
players, thoroughly enjoy playing with an American who
displays a fine, all-around game, especially dinking and
drop shots.
Earlier this year, Merv and his wife said their "au
revoir, jusqu'a` prochain an" or "goodbye, until next year"
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and Merv presented them with a token of their
appreciation—four Onyx Pure 2 indoor pickleballs.
Without question, pickleball is gaining popularity
abroad as evidenced by the Olive’s annual visit
to Belgium. As Merv explains, “Their attitude of
gamesmanship, sportsmanship and love of the sport
are positive attributes to the sport of pickleball. I
look forward to seeing them again very soon.” •
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