High School Paddle Programs

February 19, 2017
By Annie O’Shea

Creating life-long players

The area outside of Philadelphia known as the Main Line is home to a number of high school paddle clubs. They play from October through February and compete weekly. The Philadelphia program started about ten years ago with only two teams and has grown into a league with six to seven teams.

It is the families and the coaches who have helped make this happen. I coach the Conestoga High School team, which was originally formed by students and parents who love paddle. It has grown into 100-plus players in 9th-12th grades. The part I find the most rewarding is that this game that we love is so user-friendly. Students of all abilities are able to go out on the court and have a great time, while also learning how to play paddle.

Other schools, like Harriton High coached by Andrew Hocker, have also seen a huge growth in their clubs. Episcopal Academy, coached by Tim Kent and Whit Powell, has found tremendous interest. They have engaged their boys’ tennis team stars, who have taken to the paddle court like gang busters! Notre Dame Academy, coached by Steve Hall, started a few years ago and is still growing—they compete with other school’s newer players.

The coaches make the matches fun for the kids competing by making sure they are leveled correctly. It is not so much about who wins or loses—these kids have enough pressure with school at this age. The minute they walk on the paddle court, they are picking up a life-long sport and the social nature of this sport, which is very different than most others. One direct result of that: a number of my high school players, who have graduated from college, are now coming back to Waynesborough Country Club and competing on the men's and women's interclub teams.

By having active junior paddle and high school programs, the pros are helping with the massive growth of this sport. Pros—get out there and start a high school program. Watch how fast it grows, watch how much fun the kids are having, and realize what you as a pro are contributing to the future of paddle!