regions. These digital media advocates will seek out and
publish stories on youth pickleball activities within their
assigned region. Another important role of the digital
media advocates is to foster the growth of pickleball
in a more comprehensive and organized manner than
done previously. Juniors who would like to apply or
seek more information should contact Wyatt directly at
[email protected].
and resources. Newly designed tools and resources are
currently being developed to support the recreational
side of pickleball. Examples include the new “USAPA
Let’s Play Youth Pickleball Playbook” along with videos
and educational tools directed toward school physical
educational programs, parks and recreation departments,
YMCAs, camps and other venues that offer youth
pickleball.
New USAPA Junior Development Centers, scheduled
for early 2020 release, will provide a network of
pickleball venues that will offer a host of newly
designed opportunities for players and their parents.
The Development Center concept was recently tested in
Charlotte, North Carolina, and was a huge success. More
than 25 students and their parents/grandparents met for
a full day of clinics and round robin play topped off with
a parent/child tournament in the afternoon. Extra courts
were set up and parents played pickleball while their kids
participated in various youth programs.
In 2020, USAPA will launch a program entitled “Juniors
2.0” that will actuate many of the goals and objectives as
established in a recently developed strategic plan. Step 1
of this reconstituted program is to develop a nationwide
network for parents and their kids to stay connected. This
network of juniors is entitled “digital media advocates.”
To achieve this goal, USAPA Junior Wyatt Stone and
his mother, Ashley Stone, will coordinate a new digital
media group that will organize in each of the 11 USAPA
48
FOR 2020, USAPA’S TOP GOALS AND
INITIATIVES INCLUDE:
• Hosting the 2nd Annual Parent/Child Round
Robin and junior events at the Margaritaville
2019 USAPA Nationals at Indian Wells,
California
• Continue to grow USAPA membership
among the juniors segment
• Expand and enhance the social media
platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Website)
• Promote pickleball in clubs, schools, after-
school programs, parks and recreation
programs, camps, and other venues that
support junior pickleball activities
• Be a “go to” source for training and
educational materials
• Create a network of junior “digital media
advocates” who are active and work
within the USAPA’s 11 regions within the
United States
• Work closely with the Professional Pickleball
Registry (PPR) to develop and distribute new
training and educational materials
• Roll out USAPA Junior Pickleball
Development Centers.
If you’d like to join the USAPA Juniors program, email
[email protected] to be added to the USAPA email
list. You may also Like and Share the USAPA Juniors
Facebook page at facebook.com/juniorpickleball/ and
bookmark the website usapajuniors.org for news and
information. •
TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM