Newmarket residents are rallying behind one of the fastest growing sports in Canada, and its momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Pickleball, a sport that combines tennis and table tennis, has exploded in popularity and has left many communities scrambling to build more courts to accommodate the rise in interest.
It’s an exciting time for the sport in Newmarket though, as the town and its residents are stepping up to meet the demand.
What is pickleball and why are residents raving about it?
The rules are very similar to table tennis and it is played on a smaller court than tennis. A hard plastic ball replaces a tennis ball and a smaller paddle is used instead of a stringed racket. In addition to giving the player more control, the ball and paddle also mean you don’t have to swing as hard as other racket sports.
Pickleball is also very easy to learn. Kurt Pan, a director at Elevation Athletics, has observed that new learners pick up the game after just a couple of training sessions. His organization runs lessons and clinics in the Newmarket area to help beginners and experienced players improve their skills.
“The ease of play, I think that’s probably the No. 1 reason why it’s drawing in so many people. I think there’s also a growing enthusiasm for sports just within Newmarket- Aurora,” he said.
Pan also believes that part of its popularity, especially for seniors, is that the sport is easier on the body than some others. Pan said he can play pickleball for hours and feel great the next day, unlike when he competes in other sports like basketball.
“There is a smaller risk of injury just because you don’t move as aggressively as other sports. In tennis or badminton, especially at a very high level, you have to move very quickly and laterally over a very long distance. But for pickleball, it’s less intense,” he said.
The social aspect of the sport is also incredibly important for players. “At the end of the day, pickleball is a social game. For me, when I go there, winning and losing is secondary. It’s really about making friends and having a good conversation,” Pan added.
Elevation Athletics is working together this season with the York Curling Club to offer leagues, lessons and clinics to residents.
Debra Scott, the president of the newly founded Newmarket Pickleball Club, is leading the charge for the growth of the sport in the town. Scott has been playing pickleball socially for years with a dedicated group of more than 100 people at Quaker Park.
“If it wasn’t for that group and the camaraderie and the fun that we’ve had then we wouldn’t be as successful as we are already with our club,” said Scott.
The formation of a pickleball club was important for Scott to better advocate on behalf of players in Newmarket. “It’s much much easier for both the members and the municipality when you’re speaking with one voice. So it was really important to get a club launched.”
Scott’s voice was integral in recently securing a new outdoor pickleball facility at Lions Park, to add to the courts already available at Quaker Park and Joe Persechini Park.
The club aims to offer drop-in programs in addition to leagues, clinics and perhaps games between towns. Their membership has surged in the last few weeks and anyone interested in joining can access their webpage through the Pickleball Canada website.
Scott is also very complimentary of the volunteers who have helped her to establish the club, as well as the commitment the Town of Newmarket has made to increasing pickleball facilities.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with what has come out in the future of pickleball in our municipality. We are blessed to have a director of recreation and mayor and council who are able to see what the community needs are and be able to in a cost-effective way meet some of those needs,” she said. “I’m a huge supporter of the municipality.”
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor, has also witnessed the power of pickleball.
“I would say it’s the most rapid increase in the interest of a sport that I’ve seen in my time in 17 years as deputy mayor and mayor,” he said. “I think we’ll probably in 24 months from now be one of the few communities to be virtually fully meeting the demand.”
You can buy paddles everywhere athletic equipment is available, including Sport Chec, Walmart and Canadian Tire.
Basically, you're selecting a paddle by the type of facing and thickness of the core. If you want a power paddle, you'll choose a thinner poly core with a fiberglass face. If you want a control paddle, you'll select a thicker poly core with a carbon fiber or graphite face.
If you want to take a deep dive on the paddle that's right for you, check out the Pickleball Effect's Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Right Paddle for You.
To start playing pickleball, check out these pages:
- Town of Newmarket pickleball webpage
- Newmarket Pickleball Club on Facebook
- Elevation Athletics
- Global Pickleball Network
