WHITE OAK, Texas (KLTV) – There\u2019s a push for pickleball \u2014 and it\u2019s coming from White Oak.<\/p>\n
A group of about 50 players look to officially become a club and a nonprofit to contribute to the upkeep of the local courts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s the fastest growing sports in the United States. It\u2019s growing so fast in East Texas,\u201d event organizer and pickle baller John Finney said.<\/p>\n
White Oak Pickle Ballers look to make their group an official club by obtaining a non-profit license through the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe already have people who have stepped up to be on the board of directors and also to help manage the club,\u201d tournament organizer and pickle baller Jessica Guire said.<\/p>\n
And not a moment too soon, because the demand is growing.<\/p>\n
White Oak Pickle Ballers said in the past three months, attendance has increased between 40-50%. And on an average night out here, you can see about 50 pickle ballers playing the game.<\/p>\n
About ten months ago, the City of White Oak transformed the park\u2019s old tennis courts into eight pickleball courts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt absolutely makes White Oak more of a destination,\u201d Guire said. \u201cPeople are really ready to get on the courts. As soon as people started learning there were pickleball courts here, we were getting people from all over East Texas to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Players from as far as Carthage, Tatum and Marshall travel to White Oak for their pickleball courts.<\/p>\n
The players plan to use their club as a way to maintain the new addition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat way, everything we take in goes back to the courts themselves. Say a net breaks, we can just pay for it,\u201d Finney said.<\/p>\n
The group also plans to number the courts and create an organization system to regulate play.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese courts get full and we have people waiting,\u201d Finney said. \u201cSo, the paddle system is a way of saying: who\u2019s next?\u201d<\/p>\n
They hope to continue giving people of all ages and experience a spot on the court.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the future of pickleball,\u201d Tena Novy said of her 13 year old pickleball partner, David Lancaster.<\/p>\n
Tena and David may have an age gap, but there\u2019s zero teamwork gap.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe great thing about playing with this guy,\u201d Tena said. \u201cHe\u2019s young, he\u2019s quick He gets everything! It makes it easy for someone like me to play with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want everybody to play the game! Have fun. That\u2019s my most. best thing: have fun!\u201d Lancaster said.<\/p>\n
The White Oak Pickle ballers are currently fundraising for the creation of their club.<\/p>\n
All proceeds go toward funding court repairs and maintenance.<\/p>\n
The group plays on Friday and Sunday evenings at White Oak City Park and encourages anyone interested to stop by for a game \u2014 or to join the club!<\/p>\n
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