NATIONAL CHARITY PHIT AMERICA INTRODUCES 100,000 KIDS TO PICKLEBALL .
It ’ s Elementary
by JIM BAUGH
NATIONAL CHARITY PHIT AMERICA INTRODUCES 100,000 KIDS TO PICKLEBALL .
PHIT
America , a national charity improving children ’ s physical and mental health , has created a pickleball program , kit , and curriculum for elementary school children . The PLAY PICKLEBALL program gives schools what they need to teach pickleball — paddles , balls , net , the USA Pickleball curriculum , EZ Scan Fitness Tracker and Billie Jean King ’ s Eye Coach . More importantly , PHIT ’ s pickleball manager will train and give tips to teachers to make sure kids learn to play pickleball the right way .
PHIT America founder Jim Baugh , former president of Wilson Sporting Goods and inductee in the Sports Industry Hall of Fame , says , “ Schools are where the kids are , and they want to learn to play pickleball . Kids who have physical education are three times more likely to play pickleball . This is PHIT America ’ s sweet spot . We know how to get kids active and keep them playing .”
To fuel this growth , PHIT sponsors the PLAY PICKLEBALL program for $ 1,000 for 400 children . This is a cost per child of only $ 2.50 . And don ’ t forget that these kids and schools get great training , teaching tips and other resources from PHIT America for three years !
“ We have already introduced 100,000 children to pickleball and have more than 100,000 kids in 250 schools on our waitlist ,” says Baugh . “ This new PLAY PICKLEBALL promotion will influence companies in the industry to help introduce more kids to pickleball .”
PHIT America is already partnering with many organizations , including USA Pickleball , Pickleball Central , Total Pickleball , and Wilson . This is an opportunity for everyone in the pickleball industry to grow the sport while supporting a national charity .
PHIT America has four elementary school programs : AMPED ( a running / walking fitness program ), PLAY PICKLEBALL , PLAY TENNIS and PLAY GOLF . “ We have helped more than 1 million children in 1,700 schools nationwide become more physically active for improved physical and mental health ,” explains Baugh . “ We have a pandemic of inactivity , and our kids are more and more sedentary and unhealthy . We go to the roots of physical activity , school P . E . programs , and get more kids active and healthy .”
PHIT America will be adding PHIT Centers to a select number of elementary schools . Each center features two pickleball or mini-tennis courts for students and the community to use .
“ PHIT Center will be the place everyone will want to play ,” says Baugh . “ Kids will run , walk , play pickleball , tennis , and golf in specific areas designed for kids . These PHIT Centers will be in schools that are adding more physical education and meet other qualifications . On weekends , PHIT Centers will be used by the local community .” For more information , visit phitcenter . org .
Companies , foundations , or individuals interested in donating to PHIT programs can email jim @ phitamerica . org or KaSandra Gehrke at kasandra @ phitamerica . org . • Jim Baugh has revolutionized many segments of the sports industry and is now improving the health of 50 million children in America .
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