PICKLEBALL MAKES GRAND ENTRANCE WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA
by HANA PAPACO
USA PICKLEBALL MANAGER OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Although bowling and basketball have generally been the most popular sports for the athletes of Special Olympics Florida , pickleball has been in increasingly high demand . Since first introduced to the program six years ago , pickleball has been considered a demonstration sport , but in 2023 it became an official competition sport .
Shelley Henry , director of competitions for Special Olympics Florida , was approached by the founder of Pickleball for All , Jim Ludwig , who had been advocating for pickleball and adaptive pickleball across the state . Ludwig offered his support to the Special Olympics staff in introducing the sport to Floridians .
Since the introduction , the popularity of pickleball in Florida has taken off , with more than 25 counties offering the sport . Among those counties , about 200 athletes have started participating in pickleball in the hopes of making it to the end-of-season statewide competition .
As the pickleball frenzy grew , Henry was part of a working group led by Special Olympics North America and USA Pickleball that included Special Olympics state offices nationwide . The group ’ s goal was to create playing levels and rules that were consistent with USA Pickleball ’ s official rules , and provide guidelines for a consistent playing experience .
The Special Olympics Florida pickleball season runs from July to November , with the Fall Classic in Orlando being the capstone event of the season .
“ It was amazing to see the enthusiasm of our athletes ,” Ludwig said . “ They were so eager to learn and participate .”
Both he and Henry were astonished by how many volunteers offered their support during the season . Henry noted , “ We had a 1:1 ratio of volunteer to athlete , which is something we have never seen happen before in our sports .”
The end-of-season 2023 Fall Classic was held in Orlando at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and featured 79 athletes and nine Unified partners looking to test their skills during two
days of competition . Athletes competed in either a skills competition or Unified doubles , doubles , or singles .
“ I had a great time at the pickleball competition at the 2023 Fall Classic in Orlando ,” said Billy MacDonald , an athlete from Collier County . “ It was a lot of fun , and I liked meeting and competing with other Florida athletes .”
As competition took place , there was no lack of enthusiasm and passion displayed on the pickleball courts . Henry says she is no longer surprised at how quickly the athletes have increased their playing level during the season . “ My favorite part of my job is giving athletes a platform to prove people wrong and show how able they are .”
Both Shelley Henry and Jim Ludwig look forward to the continued growth of Special Olympics pickleball programs across the country , and hope to see the sport featured in the Special Olympics USA Games and even the Special Olympics World Games one day .
Special Olympics Florida serves nearly 70,000 people with intellectual disabilities , providing yearround sports programming , crucial health screenings , and life-changing leadership opportunities . All of its programs and services are provided at no charge to athletes or their caregivers . •
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MARCH / APRIL 2024 | MAGAZINE 53