Uppingham Pickleball Group: Fun, Inclusive Pickleball for Everyone in Rutland
This month saw international Pickleball day.
The Uppingham Pickleball Group, is a testament to the growing popularity of this exciting sport.
The Uppingham Pickleball Group was formed with a simple goal: to create as many opportunities as possible for people in Rutland to play pickleball locally. They began playing together on Monday evenings in November 2023 at Uppingham School Sports Centre, but don't worry, you don't have to be a resident of Uppingham or a member of the sports center to join in the fun!
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by Joel Pritchard, who later served in the US Congress. Pritchard and his friends, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell, devised the game and established the rules, making pickleball a truly American invention.
Uppingham Pickleball Group: Sessions for All Levels
The Uppingham Pickleball Group offers a variety of sessions led by Stewart Hamblin, Rutland's first certified IPTPA Level 1 Coach (Adults and Juniors) and RPPk Level 1 and 2 Coach. Here's a breakdown of the sessions offered:
Schedule:
Mondays 6-7pm (60 mins) £6 (60 mins) Uppingham School Sports Centre
Thursdays 6-7pm (60 mins) £6 (60 mins) Uppingham School Sports Centre, Oakham
Saturdays 10:30-12:00 noon £6 Tugby Village Hall
How to Join and Book a Place:
Due to the popularity of the sessions, drop-ins are not allowed. Sessions must be booked in advance. Currently, the group is closed to new members, but you can join the waiting list by filling out a short e-form by clicking the this link.
Pickleball's easy-to-learn rules make it a great sport for everyone. The underarm serve, for example, prevents powerful serves from dominating the game, unlike tennis. In your first session, you'll be introduced to the basic shots and rules, and within an hour, you'll be playing your first games!
Do you Need My Own Paddle?
The Uppingham Pickleball Group has paddles and balls available for members to use.
If you're looking for a fun and inclusive way to get active in Rutland, the Uppingham Pickleball Group is a great option. For more information or to join the waiting list, contact Stewart at uppinghampickleball@gmail.com.
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