Premier Healthy Lifestyle Brand Collaborates with DUPR to Introduce Kids to America's Fastest Growing Sport
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — In a bid to reverse the declining trend of youth participation in sports, Life Time, the nation's leading healthy lifestyle brand, has teamed up with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) to launch an exciting new venture - junior pickleball programming. This innovative initiative aims to introduce the next generation of kids to the exhilarating world of pickleball, America's fastest-growing sport.
In a society where statistics reveal that a staggering 70% of kids abandon organized sports by the tender age of 13 (according to the National Alliance for Youth Sports), Life Time's fresh approach to junior pickleball curriculum is set to revolutionize the way children learn and engage in sports. Rather than focusing on the often monotonous drills and lessons that can make sports feel "boring" to young minds, Life Time's program places a premium on learning through the joy of play during practices.
Children participating in this groundbreaking pickleball curriculum will not only develop their pickleball skills but also gain essential life skills. This is achieved through round-robin games held each week, with an emphasis on reinforcing game-specific abilities, aligning with age and developmental stages, and instilling valuable life lessons within an emotionally supportive and safe learning environment.
Life Time, in collaboration with DUPR, is proud to introduce this junior pickleball pathway, designed to cultivate the next generation of pickleball enthusiasts. Remarkably, children as young as four years old will have the opportunity to partake in this exciting program, ensuring that pickleball is accessible to kids of all ages.
Ajay Pant, Vice President of Racquet Sports at Life Time, expressed his enthusiasm for this new endeavor, stating, "We are proud to launch the first junior pickleball pathway leveraging our renowned Life Time destinations. We have an established track record of creating lifelong joy through racquet sports with our SMART junior tennis programming at Life Time and now are applying the same expertise to create joy of the sport for junior athletes in pickleball."
Starting on October 2nd, Life Time will kick off junior pickleball programming at its Minnesota locations, equipped with state-of-the-art pickleball courts. The plan is to expand this engaging program to the entire network of athletic country clubs, complete with pickleball facilities, by the end of the year.
David McCune, Executive Director of DUPR, commented on the unique teaching system for kids, saying, "Our pickleball-specific and stage-based teaching system for kids is based on the principle of fair, level-based play. For kids who are dreaming of going further, this program is also the first step on their path to going pro. From juniors to College National Championships, to Minor Leagues, to Major League Pickleball… all in their Life Time!"
Life Time's strategic alliance with DUPR extends beyond junior programming, as they have adopted DUPR's official rating system across all Life Time clubs equipped with pickleball facilities. Since early 2022, Life Time has embarked on a rapid expansion, constructing indoor and outdoor pickleball courts at a rate of five new permanent courts each week. Many of these courts boast viewing areas, stadium seating, and social lounges to enhance the overall experience for players and spectators alike. Their ambitious goal is to reach a remarkable 1,000 pickleball courts by the end of 2024, solidifying their position as the largest owner and operator of both pickleball and indoor tennis courts in the nation.
As the excitement builds for the launch of this groundbreaking junior pickleball program, parents and children alike can find more information on the Life Time Pickleball website. The collaboration between Life Time and DUPR is poised to introduce countless young athletes to the thrill of pickleball while fostering a love for the sport that will last a lifetime.
For more information, please visit the Life Time Pickleball website.
About Life Time, Inc.
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 165 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The Company's healthy way of life communities and ecosystem address all aspects of healthy living, healthy aging, and healthy entertainment for people 90 days to 90+ years old. Supported by a team of more than 35,000 dedicated professionals, Life Time is committed to providing the best programs and experiences through its clubs, iconic athletic events, and comprehensive digital platform.
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the most accurate and only global pickleball rating system trusted by the world's premier Pickleball clubs, tours, and professionals. All players, regardless of their age, gender, location, or skill, are rated on the same scale between 2.00-8.00 based on their match results. DUPR is free, and anyone can have a rating.
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