Pickleball Magazine 3-4 Courtesy of Pickleball Guru | Page 68

Regional matters continued KROC CENTER PLAYERS TEAM UP TO INVEST IN THEIR FACILITY T o say the Kroc Center in Camden, NJ, has an underserved population is an understatement. With an average income of $26,000, the inner city sports facility’s demographic often struggles to come up with the $25/month membership fee and even the $5 drop-in fee for non-members. But while money may be scarce, compassion and decency abound. Recently, members donated a sports wheelchair—designed for speed and maneuverability—to one of the employees of the center, John Miranda, who has spina bifida and has been playing pickleball at the Kroc Center every Monday for the past three years. The donation of the wheelchair, a $2,000 investment, was a huge gift for a facility where members don’t typically have their own equipment and play with wooden paddles loaned to them during their visit. While many players drop in from outside of Camden, bringing their own equipment, the local demographic is always a priority, and gifts like the wheelchair show everyone’s commitment to the community and the sport. Denise Donald, USAPA District Ambassador for New Jersey-Eastern Pennsylvania, says John is an inspiration to the Kroc Center pickleball program and players enjoy seeing him improve his game. “John is technically playing at a 2.5 level, but played 3.0 in a tournament because no one else entered in the 2.5 level,” she notes. “But he did get a medal. Outside of the tournament setting, he plays on the Kroc Center’s beginner courts.” And John isn’t the only different-abled member the Kroc Center caters to. Another regular member with Down syndrome enjoys playing the game as much as anybody. “We’re proving this is a sport anyone can play and enjoy, regardless of ability,” Donald says. “Pickleball is truly open to all players.” She adds that introducing pickleball to an inner city environment that serves everyone of every ability, where there is no viable tennis program to speak of, has been a huge success. The center’s typical meetup size has grown to 36 people with a waiting list. Members will co