Prior to a local pickleball game session at the Centre Communautaire gymnasium last Monday, Chuck Ouellette, the local pickle-ball coordinator remarked that he had “never seen this many people” show up to play before.
The rise in participation is evidence to suggest the local pickleball scene is still generating positive momentum.
Another piece of evidence is that three of the community’s pickle ball teams have earned berths at the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games, which are scheduled to take place in Strathmore from July 16-19.
The local St. Paul pickleball teams recently traveled to Bonnyville’s C2 Centre to engage in the 55 Plus Games’ zone-playoffs.
When the games were completed, three St. Paul pickleball duos found themselves moving on to participate in the games. Ouellette and his partner Don Zarowny will take part in the age 65 and up men competition; Louise Warholik and Doris Weidl will play in the women’s 55 and up division; Billy Hall and Monica Oosthuizen will represent the community in the age 65 and up mixed division.
“I am very excited about making it to this tournament,” says Oosthuizen. “I haven’t been playing this game for very long so it is a great privilege to get this opportunity.
“At the same time, I am very nervous,” she laughed.
What is perhaps most impressive about the victories is how these men and women gelled together as teammates in a short timeframe before the playoffs in Bonnyville.
“I started playing with Don about a month-and-a-half before (the tournament.),” says Ouellette. “It is better to find partners closer to the tournament when you have a better idea on who can fit the games into their schedule.”
That was the same case with the other two teams as well.
This is the first time any of these athletes will compete in the pickleball competition at the games. However, some of the St. Paul contingents do have previous histories with the Alberta 55 Plus competition. Ouellette has won the bocce ball competition and Hall has taken part in the slo-pitch tournament.
