By Stu Upson
USA PICKLEBALL CEO
FUELING THE GROWTH OF THE SPORT
It is certainly an exciting and challenging time to have joined USA
Pickleball as the new CEO . Exciting because of the phenomenal growth of the sport and the opportunities in front of us . Challenging because of the uncertainty we all face due to the global pandemic . Regardless , I am thrilled to be on board .
I started at USA Pickleball in December after having been the Chief Operating Officer of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport , Rhode Island , for the past six years . My time since then has been spent learning more about the pickleball industry , getting a feel for the USA Pickleball organization and working on plans for this year .
Obviously , 2020 was a brutally tough year for the entire world . At USA Pickleball our membership was relatively stable benefiting from the increase in participation offset by sanctioned tournaments that were canceled all over the country , including our National Indoor Championships and the National Championships . But on the positive side , more people played pickleball last year than ever before . Pickleball provided a great activity in an outdoor setting that gave people the opportunity to get out of the house , get some much-needed exercise and be with friends and family in a safe , socially distanced setting . And they really took advantage of it !
It is impossible to predict what the pickleball landscape will look like in 2021 . We have all learned over the past 10 months of the pandemic that things change constantly , but the USA Pickleball team is hopeful , optimistic and ready to move forward . We are busily sanctioning tournaments and planning for our National Indoor Championships scheduled for June 8-13 in Hoover , Alabama , outside of Birmingham , as well as the National Championships in Indian Wells this November . We are also working to enhance our efforts to grow recreational and youth play . Expect to hear more about that in the near future .
It is our job to help keep fueling the growth of the sport and get even more people playing — and playing more often . Whether you are a highly competitive player , a recreational player or someone who is just learning the sport , it is our responsibility to support each and every one of you so you have a positive , enjoyable experience with the game , and we will work hard to make that happen . I am confident that the infectious enthusiasm people show for pickleball will keep the sport healthy and growing , not only in 2021 but in future years as well .
I hope you all play a lot of pickleball this year — so play well and stay safe . •
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021 | MAGAZINE 11