Mid City Times

Aspiring pickleball players can now try out the sport using free kits from the Fort Worth Public Library. The kits are available in singles (two paddles) or doubles (four paddles) and include balls, a net, instructions, a map of Fort Worth pickleball courts, and a bag for storage.

Pickleball is growing in popularity among both casual players and serious enthusiasts. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, 48.3 million adult Americans played pickleball at least once in the previous 12 months, based on 2023 data.

The Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department held its first pickleball tournament in June at the Haws Athletic Center. Robbie Samuel, athletic coordinator at Haws, described the debut tournament as a tremendous success with participants ranging in age from 13 to 72 – totaling 40 individuals balanced between beginners and seasoned players.

“The primary goal of the tournament wasn’t just about winning but about bringing the community together and ensuring everyone had a great time,” he said, crediting tournament organizers Sonya Rodriguez and Elizabeth Hernandez. “Pickleball is very popular here. We typically host free play sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Friday mornings, averaging 15-20 participants each day.”

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