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Pickleb
in Community
Outreach
Program
roup Activities Meaningful to Everyone (G.A.M.E.)
is a community-based nonprofit focused on
strengthening individuals, families and entire
communities through pickleball. Founder Taylor
Taylor, who has a background in tennis and a
master’s in clinical social work, discovered pickleball in 2016.
Immediately realizing the many benefits of the sport, Taylor
decided to combine her love of sports and her “calling” to
community outreach, resulting in G.A.M.E.
Every community is affected by adversity. Research has come
to identify Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) as a leading
indicator of toxic stress and physical illness. ACEs can include,
but are not exclusive to, addiction, physical and/or emotional
abuse, exposure to mental illness, domestic violence and more.
The proactive process of identifying and normalizing ACEs helps
to reduce the effects of stress (a response that can occur when a
child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity) on
the nervous system and promotes healthy development. Exercise
and socialization help to support those experiencing ACEs both
physically and emotionally. Therefore, as a therapeutic technique,
G.A.M.E. integrates this research into the fabric of pickleball.
Pickleball is a unique sport due to the intergenerational nature,
accessibility based on low cost of equipment and attire, and
the minimal amount of space required to play coupled with the
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relative ease to proficiency. As a result, it is a natural sport
to support positive family interaction and healthy social and
emotional development. In a G.A.M.E. class, children and
adults of all ages participate in pickleball while learning about
integrity, empathy, “serve and return” communication, stress
management, goal achievement, and the importance of love
and respect for self and others as well as having fun, bonding
and, most importantly, building confidence. G.A.M.E. is also
using this strategy to work with the Special Needs population
to increase social skills and coordination.
Taylor and her volunteers, who are primarily members
of the MidSouth Pickleball Club (also founded by Taylor) are
currently working in schools, parenting places, community
centers, churches and parking lots to share the benefits of
pickleball beyond the courts.
All people in every community across the country deserve
improved mental health, increased resiliency, decreased
physical disease and stronger overall wellness. Pickleball is
making a major impact in the lives of many—G.A.M.E. uses
this wonderful game to take that impact to another level!
For more information about Group Activities Meaningful to
Everyone (G.A.M.E.), go to www.aceandgame.com or email
Taylor Taylor at [email protected]. •
TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM