The pickleball conference was held at the Jonas Robertson Memorial Community Centre. (Facebook/Northern Sport Culture and Recreation District)

By Derek Cornet

growing sport

Pickleball equipment distributed across Northern Sask.

Aug 26, 2024 | 5:15 PM

The Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District (NSCRD) is wanting more people to start learning and playing the sport of pickleball.

The organization hosted a conference on the sport in La Ronge last week and invited recreation coordinators from various northern communities to join. There were representatives from Jan’s Bay, Buffalo Narrows, Creighton, La Ronge, Sucker River, Green Lake, Sandy Bay, Grandmothers Bay and Timber Bay.

“We get together periodically throughout the year and provide training for the Northern Saskatchewan school coordinators and every year we try to do something different, whether it is archery or canoeing or smashball,” said NSCRD Program Manager Ryan Karakochuk.

“This past year, pickleball was brought up. We brought pickleball about eight years ago to the La Ronge area, but at that time, it wasn’t as big as it is now. It never really gained any traction because maybe it was just starting out or not everybody knew about the game.”

Pickleball is a fast-paced sport that has many similarities to tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a level court with short-handled paddles and a perforated hollow plastic ball that is volleyed over a low net. Matches feature two opposing players or two pairs of players, and the sport can be played either outdoors or indoors.

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During the conference, Karakochuk explained attendees learned the rules and how to set up the equipment. In addition, 12 starter kits were also given away consisting of a manual, a net, paddles and balls.

“It’s just enough to get them started and going and each one of our coordinators have a budget during the year, so they can definitely purchase more stuff and some already have a little bit of equipment,” he said.

“Now, they are able to use what they have knowing how to play the game.”

Pickleball is commonly played on tennis and badminton courts, but some communities also use indoor rinks during the summer when the ice isn’t installed. Karakochuk noted that is the case in Creighton where he currently lives.

Queen City Pickleball Hub and Pickleball Paddles Canada provided NSCRD with all the pickleball products that were distributed last week.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Pickleball equipment distributed across Northern Sask.

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