Submitted by Carol Doughty
Dave Werry, a member of the PROBUS Club in Pickering, Ontario, organized a Learn-to- Play Pickleball session for his club of retired or semi-retired men and women on Tuesday, July 5, 2016. Twenty-four members who had never played the sport participated in a 2-hour workshop lead by Dave and assisted by 4 experienced players (3 from Pickering and 1 from Whitby). The basic rules, strokes, and strategies were covered so that the players were able to play games and score by the end of the workshop. Many agreed that the hardest part was learning how to keep score! Now, there is talk of another workshop and starting a Probus Pickleball Club. Many of the participants now understand how addictive this sport can be! They just want more!
Probus (an abbreviation for Professional Business) Clubs are found throughout Canada and cater to retirees or semi-retirees. The clubs meet once a month and all activities are geared to benefit the interests of the clubs’ members. Each month, there is a guest speaker at the meeting, and there are activities during the month, such as hikes, golf, theatre, car rallies, euchre tournaments, etc. Some clubs are for men only; others are for women only. However, the Pickering Probus Club and the Whitby/Brooklin Probus Club are combined (men and women). Google Probus Clubs to find out if there is one in your area and for more information.
The PAO, Pickleball Association of Ontario, offers pickleball workshops to meet your club’s needs.
Contact the PAO through its website for more information.
