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Pickleball Club is gaining popularity every week

Club pickleball is now available at the University of Maine. They meet by the tennis courts near the New Balance Recreation Center, Mondays and Wednesdays at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Established by third-year student Aidan Gorneau, this sports club is meant for students to socialize and have fun through pickleball.

Gorneau is ecstatic in welcoming students to join this club, even if it’s a casual drop-in to play with friends. His passion for the game is evident in practices, always keeping the energy high and positive, which makes more and more students come every week. 

“People will come, go and play,” Gorneau said. “It’s pretty casual but we’re starting to implement more practice and drilling, strategy and technique.” 

A lot of effort and planning went into making this club official. This included going to the sports club committee and to the student government to get approval from the university which allows them to get funding. With a lot of advice and conversations with the old sports club director, they were able to make the club official. 

For those who are more competitive and serious, there are a few tournaments a year that the team participates in. For example, in two weeks, they are making the journey to Daytona Beach for the National Collegiate Pickleball Association regional tournament. They make sure to focus on preparation and training sessions for these tournaments.

If you happen to stumble upon a pickleball court, you will notice that it looks like a smaller version of a tennis court, with a lower net. Although it might appear this way, pickleball is one of the few sports where you don’t have to be the most gifted athlete to play and enjoy, as it is a slower sport. Compared to tennis, pickleball can be picked up and learned at a reasonable level by anyone, which is why it is a versatile and inclusive sport for all ages and athletic abilities. 

As many people know, pickleball is known for being easily accessible to senior citizens, and it is common to think that they are the majority age group that play this sport. Although this was the case when it first started, it is now being played and picked up by all age groups and gaining more popularity with younger generations. 

“College aged people are playing,” Gorneau said. “It’s actually the highest demographic of people playing pickleball right now is our age group. It’s becoming more popular and more competitive.” 

There are multiple benefits to pickleball, such as better agility, improving balance and hand-eye coordination, as well as boosting one’s mood and overall mental health. It is also a great way to interact with new people as the game is well-known for being a social sport. Most importantly, pickleball helps you stay sharp, as it requires quick reflections and split-second decisions, which improves cognitive function and memory recall. 

Before Gorneau graduates, he is hoping to get new and better facilities, starting with permanent lines on the court. He hopes they can get better funding to improve the club and to constantly be improving to make pickleball enjoyable for everyone. With new members joining every week, there are high hopes that the pickleball club will help students build social connections, learn new skills and have fun.

The full interview with pickleball club co-president Aidan Gorneau is available to watch here, on YouTube.


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