PICKLEBALL ’ S POPULARITY SOARS ACROSS CHESTER COUNTY ( PA ) YMCA BRANCHES
By Hana Papaco
MANAGER OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Shortly after it was introduced , pickleball has become the most popular activity among YMCA members in Pennsylvania ’ s Chester County . Denise Day , former CEO of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine , is largely credited with bringing the sport to seven YMCA branches . Like most pickleball fanatics , Day first caught wind of the sport in 2020 and immediately knew it could be a great activity for her Ys to invest in following the COVID-19 pandemic .
Come reopening time , Day and her staff dived right in to heighten the pickleball atmosphere at the Y . “ Our goal was to strategically and intentionally develop our membership around the expansion of pickleball ,” Day explained . “ I ’ ve never seen a sport have a target market of basically everyone .” The YMCA staff hired a pickleball coordinator to help set up play across the association ’ s branches . They also applied for and received a USA Pickleball equipment grant for each of the locations to help update the broken nets and wooden paddles that were in use .
Since the addition of pickleball , the Ys in Chester County have gained more than 2,600 participants in open play , tournaments , leagues and clinics at their locations . The YMCA of Greater Brandywine has been able to open a dedicated nine-court facility , with a ClearSpan building featuring six more dedicated courts set to begin construction later this year to offer more play year-round .
Since recently stepping down from her role as CEO , Day ’ s involvement with the YMCA continues on a different path — as a pickleball consultant and advocate . In her new role , she works to help Ys across the country create successful pickleball opportunities for their current or prospective members . “ Pickleball is a sport that aligns with everything the YMCA believes in : developing a healthy spirit , mind and body , for all ages and abilities ,” said Day . She estimates that she has done at least 150 webinars with different Y locations across the country , with that number continuing to grow .
Day will be able to meet with even more interested programmers at the General Assembly of the YMCAs in Atlanta taking place July 20-23 . This General Assembly only happens every four years and pickleball is expected to have a very big presence . Working alongside USA Pickleball and other pickleball organizations , the YMCA will have two pickleball courts for games and activations for attendees to participate in and learn more about the fastest-growing sport in America .
“ Pickleball has allowed us to impact more lives positively ,” said Day . “ I ’ ve seen 90-year-olds out on the court playing , as well as widows who have now found a pickleball community they can depend on .” •
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JULY / AUGUST 2023 | MAGAZINE 65