Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School for kids from JK to Grade 7. Photo Robert Bell.
Pickleball. It’s taken the world by storm. It’s taken Canada by storm. And as recent issues of Leaside Life have shown, it’s one of the hottest sports – and topics – in Leaside.
So now that the adults of the area have ample opportunities to learn and play the game, such as at the new Fairgrounds court on Eglinton near Brentcliffe, it’s time to start getting kids of all ages involved.
Pickleball is a great game for kids. With a smaller court, slower ball and lighter paddles than in tennis, the game is accessible for all ages, especially beginners. It’s easy to learn, improves hand-eye coordination and, most importantly, it’s fun.
This September, PicklePlayground is bringing their kids’ programming to Leaside with weekend clinics at Bessborough Drive Elementary and Middle School for kids from JK to Grade 7.
PicklePlayground has been on the scene since 2023. Company founder and owner Jeremy Bell taught tennis for many years before shifting his focus to pickleball.
Bell came to his love of racquet sports after earning a degree in business administration from Ivey Business School at Western University.
“I launched PicklePlayground because it brings together three things I’m passionate about: working with kids, racquet sports, and building something entrepreneurial,” he said. “I’ve always loved coaching and mentoring young people, and I have hands-on experience teaching racquet sports to kids, which made starting this program a natural fit. At the same time, I’ve always been entrepreneurial, so creating PicklePlayground was the perfect way to combine my love of teaching with my drive to build something meaningful from the ground up.”
Tazeena Islam, mother of a PicklePlayground participant, speaks of her son’s enthusiasm about the program: “The super friendly, high energetic team of PicklePlayground make it fun and attractive for beginners.”
The kids’ classes will focus on skills, drills and games with a maximum player to coach ratio of 6:1.
Pickleball paddles are provided, and kids are grouped based on their age and skill level (though no previous experience is required).
To check out PicklePlayground and register your kids, visit pickleplayground.ca.
