Boise Area Pickleball News

Doug McMillian, our fellow pickleballer from the Washington area, wanted me to let all of you know that this year the North Idaho Senior Games will be June 22nd and June 23rd in Lewiston, ID. at the Lewiston High School Tennis Courts at 11th Street and 13th Street.  This is a USAPA sanctioned tournament so you can earn points towards your ranking. So lets help support our fellow pickleball clubs by trying to attend as many out-of-town tournaments as possible.  Remember if we help them they’ll help us.  If anyone is thinking of going and needs either a partner or want to ride-share let me know and I’ll post your request.

You can contact the tournament’s Sports Coordinator, Steve Judy, by either email: stevieandsusie@msn.com or call him at: 509-243-1011 for more information about the tournament.

A Tournament flier for the Eastern Washington Senior Games in Walla Walla Washington is posted on the right hand side and all you have to do is clink on the poster for details.

As some of you may have noticed Tami and I have been meeting with Ben at Home Court the last couple of weeks discussing a new program called “Press Play” which is a new program the YMCA was hoping to put into action this year.  The program involved adding pickleball to the Y’s programs focused on “empty nesters”.  Well as it turns out the Y doesn’t have enough time slots to implement this new program.  The good news is during our meetings, Ben finally agreed that to implement any type of additional pickleball programs he would need more courts so we lobbied for two more court for the existing players and because of all our loyal players consistently coming to play week after week we were able to convince him to again check with the floor cover people and his management about taping two new court this year.  This morning (Friday) he said that everyone has agreed to let us tape two more courts this year.  In addition if we keep up our number of players they will paint the courts next year when they refinish the floor.  It is also worth noting that the courts are open from 5am in the morning to noon five days a week so players who work or are maybe younger can come and player from 5am to 8am before work.  I would encourage all our loyal players to stop by Ben’s office and say “Thanks” because this will enable us to expand our club membership, get new players and designate specific courts for 3+ players and beginners.  So now we can really go out and solicit new players throughout the Treasure Vally and know that we have courts available. We will be calling for volunteers for taping next week so come out and help.

As some of you may know February is Heart Healthy month and with that in mind,

13 of our local pickleball players wore red today (Friday)                     while playing at Home Court to support the cause.  In addition Tami Leach came up with a “Heart Health” skill test and challenged the players to hit a ball from one base line to a garbage can at the other base line.

The winners, and there were three,       were given a prize donated by St. Alphonsus Hospital.  We all had loads of fun and a great time.  Hope that all of our fellow pickleballers will support the Heart Healthy month in whatever way they would like.  Remember pickleball is a heart healthy game for all ages.  See ya on the courts.

It looks like the Boise area is the backbone of pickleball in Idaho.  We are now privileged to have the USAPA’s Pacific Northwest Regional Ambassador in our club.   Please join me in congratulating     John Sweeting for his recent appointment to this position.  The position is responsible for AK, ID, OR and WA states.  I know John will do great and I know all of us wish him the best.  So team lets just keep up the good work we’re doing and I know our beloved game will continue to grow in our fine state.

We recently heard  from our friends and fellow BAPA members winter-birding in Kailua Kona, HI, Dennis and Sonya Kincheloe, and here’s what they had to say,

“Just a note that pickleball is alive and well in Kailua Kona, HI.  Last year there were about 5 people who were playing here consistently, that was including Sonya and myself (Dennis).  Now there are about 30 people.  It is so much fun and there are more people being added almost weekly. We have three very nice courts now to play on and there is talk of adding three more.  YEA!!!  They are mostly recreational players but there are some that are getting more competitive.”

Sounds like Dennis and Sonya are having a blast, too bad we all can’t be there too.  This is just another sign that the sport we love is growing everywhere so keep those balls flying.