ST. GEORGE – The Recreation Division for the City of St. George today announced that the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) has chosen St. George to host its West Regional Championship Pickleball Tournament in April 2016.
“The St. George Recreation Division and the St. George community were early adopters of the fast growing sport of pickleball,” said David Jordan, President, USAPA. “The City has built high quality courts that were well designed to offer its citizens many opportunities to participate in recreational as well as competitive events. We believe that St. George provides an excellent venue for the USAPA to hold its West Region Championship tournament and look forward to a great tournament and a long relationship with St. George.”
The USAPA was organized to promote the growth and development of pickleball, not only on a national but an international level. The organization provides players with official rules, tournaments, rankings and promotional materials. Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States over the past several years. A recent study estimates there are 2.45 million participates nationally.
“We’re seeing a lot more young people come out and play,” said Wayne Bullock, St. George City’s director of pickleball and tennis. “It’s an easy sport to pick up and I believe it actually relates better to the younger generation. It’s no longer a senior sport. It’s youth, it’s high school, it’s college. We’re seeing a huge mix of players out here and I just love it.”
The Huntsman Senior Games pickleball offering filled up in just three days after registration opened, the fastest of its sports offerings to fill.
“St. George currently has 22 pickleball courts, but is adding 12 more courts at its Little Valley complex which will be completed this year,” said Steve Bingham, Recreation Manager for the City of St. George. We are honored that the USAPA has recognized our commitment to the sport and look forward to a successful tournament in the Spring.
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LOL.! ESPN will be all over this. the ratings will be through the roof.!