Veterans from the Biloxi Outreach Program.
benefactors who should get the credit. “It’s their courage and
determination that makes this work,” he says. “The corporate
and private sponsors have been a huge help, too. And the
results have been amazing. You’re dealing with men and
women who paid a price—some have prosthetics, braces, or
cognitive disorders. “This is a group of men and women who
gave a lot for our country. A significant benefit I’ve observed
is the confidence in themselves and their ability to step away
from their military experience and be in the here-and-now,
enjoying the present moment.”
These benefits aren’t unique to the Arizona region. Similar
programs are popping up all across the country.
A Veterans Pickleball Outreach Program has been established
by the MS Gulf Coast pickleball players and the City of Biloxi,
MS, for veterans enrolled in the Gulf Coast Veterans Health
Care System, where pickleball is a scheduled activity for
patients suffering from addictions, depression, PTSD and other
mental health issues.
Since January, veteran Mississippi Gulf Coast pickleball
players have taught pickleball to more than 100 veterans.
Spouses and partners are also encouraged to learn the sport,
which fosters an activity they can share in the future. The
program includes structured play with local players five times
weekly, with special events twice per month.
from Robbie Wagner’s Tournament Training Center, the local
VFW chapter, and the AmVet organization, and donations of
equipment came pouring in from every major vendor down
to individuals who just wanted to make a difference. The
Northport program started with a weekly one-hour clinic on
Thursday afternoons, beginning May 9, and by all measures
has been a resounding success in that neck of the woods.
These programs may lead some players to participate in the
National Veterans Golden Age Games, which recently included
pickleball as one of its competitions. The group from the
Phoenix VA participated in the most recent games that were
held in Anchorage, Alaska. The veterans came away with
multiple medals in the pickleball competition. For most, the
programs give veterans the opportunity to live in the moment
again—something many veterans have trouble with when
rejoining civilian life.
“If you’re in the waiting room at the VA, invariably you’ll
overhear a conversation between vets talking about the past,”
Cali says. “Remember where you were in 1968? Remember
how terrible the food was? But when these vets are on the
pickleball court, they’re in the present, and smiling again.” •
Used paddles have been provided to veterans who express an
interest in continuing to play pickleball when they return home
to their local communities.
And in Northport, NY, VA pickleball player Stan George
provided the background on the sport that the facility’s
recreation therapist needed to start a program there.
The Northport VA had two existing tennis courts converted for
pickleball use by way of donated paddles, balls and movable
nets. George reached out for help and the response was
overwhelming. The USAPA approved a $250 grant, which was
applied to purchasing movable nets. Pickleball, Inc. partnered
with the USAPA by donating paddles.
The local Plainview YJCC’s pickleball ambassador, Barbara
Sach-Traina, made it her personal mission to get donations of
paddles and balls as well as financial donations. She asked all
of her pickleball players to help in whatever way they could.
She also posted notices online, along with representatives
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 |
MAGAZINE
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