Pickleball
The Fascinating History and
Exciting World of Pickleball
Welcome to Pickleball!
● Pickleball is a fun, fast-paced
sport that combines elements of
tennis, badminton, and table
tennis
● Today, we'll learn about:
● 1. The history of pickleball
● 2. The founder of the game
● 3. Possible future of pickleball
● Get ready for an exciting journey
through the world of pickleball!
The Birth of Pickleball
● Pickleball was
invented in 1965
● It all started on
Bainbridge Island,
Washington
● The game was
created as a fun
activity for families
The Founder: Joel Pritchard
● Joel Pritchard was a
congressman from
Washington state
● He created pickleball
with his friends Bill Bell
and Barney McCallum
● They wanted a game
that everyone in the
family could play
The Pickleball Name Mystery
● There are two stories about how
pickleball got its name:
● 1. It was named after the
Pritchards' dog, Pickles
● 2. It was named after "pickle
boats" in rowing,
● Fun fact: The real story was
revealed years later!
Early Days of Pickleball
● The first pickleball court
was in the Pritchards'
backyard
● They used ping-pong
paddles and a perforated
plastic ball
● The net was lowered to
36 inches, like badminton
Pickleball Spreads Across America
● In the 1970s, pickleball
began to spread beyond
Washington
● It became popular in
community centers and
schools
● By 1984, the USA Pickleball
Association (USAPA) was
formed
Pickleball Goes Global
● In the 1990s, pickleball started to gain
international attention
● It became popular in Canada, Europe, and
Asia
● The International Federation of Pickleball was
formed in 2010
Pickleball Today
● Pickleball is now one of the fastest-
growing sports in the world
● There are millions of players across
the globe
● Professional tournaments offer big
prizes
Pickleball for All Ages
● Pickleball is great for
players of all ages
● It's easy to learn but
challenging to master
● The sport promotes
fitness, social
interaction, and fun
The Future of Pickleball
● Pickleball continues to grow in
popularity
● Some people want it to become an
Olympic sport
● New technologies are being
developed for paddles and balls
Thank You!!!
Pickleball
The Fascinating History and
Exciting World of Pickleball
