PickleballSOUTH AFRICA
CHICKENS IN THE KITCHEN
The chickens and ducks had a field day on the pickleball court last night . With acres of grass and gardens , why do they go there ? If we inadvertently leave the gate open at our newly renovated court in the village , the grazing cows and horses go there . Why ? Because everybody loves pickleball .
I ’ m a librarian who manages the four libraries Memel . Global has developed in our village schools . I don ’ t play sports , which doesn ’ t mean I haven ’ t learned through the grapevine about pickleball . No matter where I go in this rural community of 7,000 , people are talking about the new distraction the Americans have introduced .
At our veterinary practice the receptionist was chatting to me
Danelle teams up with Evidence , a pickleball instructor at Memel Primary School . about her feelings toward pickleball when the vet interjected , “ Heidi , it ’ s not just a sport , it ’ s a way of life !”
That was food for thought . This wasn ’ t the first rumble on the topic — the kids at Memel Primary were playing it , the construction workers at the Memel Organics cohousing community play it constantly in their leisure time , and a friend ’ s entire family plays it regularly on their Sunday gettogethers . The challenge was , what exactly was it that grabbed these new and avid converts ?
Ina , a local resident , says , “ It allows for social interaction and enjoyment as there ’ s no great competitiveness .” The Memel Organics workers might disagree , as games get pretty heated over there . Tsepho , 35 , is an assistant carpenter . Ordinarily shy and reticent , he transforms the moment he steps onto the court . Competitive soccer no longer being an option for him , he appreciates pickleball to stay in shape .
Melinda , the mother of the Sunday game family , says , “ l love the fact that we play it together as a family . Even though l ’ m not a sporty person , l participate without being super-fit or having special skills .”
Danelle , her daughter , has a different take : “ It ’ s fast and intense , and you need to work hard for each point . It ’ s good for my concentration , and hand / eye coordination . At university in Pretoria , I played several sports but little Memel , out in the countryside , doesn ’ t have many so it ’ s great to be able to stay active in such a fun game .”
By Heidi Klingenberg with Steven Ablondi
Themba giving 100 percent , with a visiting player from Joburg .
Steven Ablondi , Memel ’ s original pickleball guru and a regular player , applauds the merits of the game , noting , “ It ’ s a new sport , and thus doesn ’ t hold a racial precedent to it . It is accessible to all , and new champions are waiting to be discovered .”
Themba , 37 , is a welder . Apart from some karate lessons , he ’ d never attempted sports before . Themba loves the challenge of pickleball and is working hard at being one of its first African stars . He is a fierce advocate for bringing the sport to his fellow black residents , and to the children in the town .
So come on , the rest of you in Memel , what are you waiting for ?! Let ’ s meet up at the old tennis courts , and I ’ ll cut up some oranges for halftime , and bring a few books . •