Taking the country by storm, pickleball is quickly becoming a favorite pastime for Americans, with Marblehead no exception. USA Pickleball Ambassador, Lisa Spinale, has been sharing the sport with the town of Marblehead since 2019 and recently donated more than 50 paddles for Marblehead public schools.
Marblehead is currently home to 10 pickleball courts and 2 dual-lined courts making it a center for those who love the sport. With 12 courts around town, 6 are at Seaside Park and another 6 are located at Veterans Middle School.
Being a USA pickleball ambassador, Spinale has created MarbleheadPickleball.org, a nonprofit organization aiming to unite the community through the sport.
“We are always inspired by the enthusiasm of Marblehead’s youth for the sport,” said Spinale, “The courts at Seaside and Veterans are filled from spring to winter with college, high school, and middle school students.”
To continue this growth among youth players, Spinale and Marblehead Pickleball partnered with Joola USA to donate over 50 paddles to the Marblehead schools.
Spinale shared, “Our paddle donation is more than just a generous gift; it’s an investment in the future of our community. By equipping our schools, we are igniting and supporting a passion for this dynamic sport among our youth.”
According to pickleheads.com, the average age of players ranged from 18-34 in 2024, which has significantly dropped from an estimated average of mid-fifties in 2000. The popularity stems from the accessibility of the sport — easy to learn, fun, and inclusive. In Marblehead, it’s common to see kids playing the sport with their parents and grandparents, fostering the love for the sport.
The ability to pick up the sport easily is what prompted Marblehead Pickleball and Joola USA to donate.
Marblehead High School Physical Education (PE) teacher shared, “We can’t thank MarbleheadPickleball.org enough for supporting our program and helping us improve our games with professional-level equipment.”
Not only does the professional-grade equipment sign them up for success when attempting the sport, but it also makes them excited to play and learn more about the game.
“I can see the joy on their faces. Their eyes light up because they’re good at it. It’s a big opportunity to boost confidence and make new friends,” stated another Marblehead High School PE teacher, Mike Cecere.
Offering students a chance to connect and improve skills including hand-eye coordination, agility, and speed is what Spinale has been hoping to do. Believing in the power of community and the importance of supporting youth sports strives Spinale to do even more than she’s already done for the sport.
“Together, we can empower our youth to learn, play, and thrive through pickleball,” said Spinale.
