The Dumaguete Pickleball Club is currently conducting a grassroots program aimed at introducing the rapidly-growing sport to the community.
The initiative focuses on providing people of all ages basic training and exposure to pickleball, fostering a love for the game from an early age, said Bernabe Bustillo, president of the Pickelball Club, established in January this year.
The grassroots program not only teaches the fundamentals of pickleball but also emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical fitness, he added.
The game of pickleball, invented in 1965 as a children’s backyard game in Washington state in the US, resembles lawn tennis and table tennis. It involves two or four players who use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch high net.
In the Philippines, the first-ever pickleball clinic was conducted in Cebu eight years ago in 2016.
Summer clinic
The Dumaguete Pickleball Club hosts a comprehensive summer clinic designed for kids and teenagers. The clinic includes intensive training sessions, skills-building exercises, and friendly matches, all conducted under the guidance of the Club’s advanced players as coaches.
The summer clinic is an opportunity for the participants to “improve their game, make new friends, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Club”, said Bustillo.
The Dumaguete Pickleball Club is the first-ever in Negros Oriental, and is a proud member of the Philippine Pickleball Federation.
It is supported by membership in the Club, and energized by community support through donations, Bustillo said.
He added that from their humble beginnings, the Dumaguete Pickleball Club has seen “remarkable growth”. “What began with just a few enthusiasts has blossomed into a vibrant and diverse community of players, reflecting the Club’s commitment to inclusivity, and the growing popularity of pickleball.”
In Negros Oriental, the first pickleball tournament was held in June. “The event was filled with thrilling matches, memorable moments, and a spirit of camaraderie,” said Bustillo.
He explained the tournament was designed to measure how far the members have improved their skills, applying what they learned from the workshops on refereeing and officiating pickleball.
How to join
Ready to join the fun? The play schedules: Daily from 5:30-10pm at the Dumaguete Pantawan; every Saturday from 6-10 am at the Dumaguete City High School gym; every Sunday from 7-10am at the South City Elementary School gym in Mangnao. (Rizalyn Lumapguid-Codoy)
