Pickleball Gains Popularity in Europe with New Training Initiatives
Expansion of Pickleball in Europe
The popularity of pickleball is on the rise across Europe, highlighted by a recent training program initiated by the French Federation of Sports for Seniors in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. As reported by a local news outlet, the federation's regional committee has successfully conducted a pickleball training course, marking the sport's debut as a new offering within their activities.
This training took place at a multi-sports facility, specifically in the tennis hall, where participants engaged in both practical and theoretical lessons about this rapidly growing paddle sport. The sessions were facilitated by Annie Balas, Martine Cassagne, and Jean-Paul Raffelli, who guided a group of 14 aspiring activity leaders. These leaders are set to promote and organize pickleball events within the federation.
Professional athletes and sports leaders have frequently pointed out the sport's accessibility as a key factor in its global popularity. World No.1 player Anna Leigh Waters emphasized, “Anyone can play it. I believe it’s easy to learn but challenging to master. People of all ages around the globe enjoy playing pickleball.”
The sport's swift growth is evident in participation statistics. In the United States, for instance, 13.6 million individuals engaged in pickleball in 2023, with a staggering increase of over 223 percent in participation over the past three years, according to industry data. Professional player Ben Johns remarked, “You can enjoy playing with anyone.” He shared his experience of starting in a community primarily composed of older individuals, stating, “I loved playing with them. It’s a great way to meet new people, and it’s evolved into a sport for everyone. It connects people from diverse backgrounds.”
As demonstrated by initiatives like the training course in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the presence of pickleball in Europe is steadily growing as federations and clubs work to introduce the sport to new audiences.