Page 77 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 77
PICKLEBALL GET ACTIVE
Multyfarnham ARA Picklebal Multyfarnham Pickleball
Pickleball...the new sport for Ireland’s senior citizens.
Michael Mc Daid, the founder of Pickleball Ireland formed the organisation to
introduce Pickleball to Ireland and especially to the country’s senior citizens.
Turning 55, several years ago caused Michael to think internet and you will find many videos of the sport
about his own age, health and fitness but it also showing people of all ages competing at their own
highlighted how others of his age had turned out. It level.
became clear that many of those young fit individuals The sport has also taken off in Canada and is now being
whom he had known as school kids and with whom he played in the UK, Spain and Holland and now of course
played sport as a young man, had led a very sedentary in Ireland.
life over the past 35 years. As hairlines receded, waist- “When I saw Pickleball for the first time I saw it as one of
lines had expanded to an unhealthy degree. the best activities I had ever come across. Here was a sport
This realisation that so many of his contemporaries that everyone could play regardless of age. Pickleball is the
could no longer be described as fit or healthy caused perfect sport to get all of us back to healthy activity in an
Michael to consider how he might help get the nation’s enjoyable and sociable way. It is such an easy sport to take
over 50’s back into shape. up. Ten minutes to get used to the paddles and the bounce
“I looked into training myself as a fitness instructor for of the ball and you are ready to compete. But what makes
seniors but discovered that there are no age specific it really relevant to the Irish market is that it is played on
courses available and the thought of spending a couple of a badminton court and of course every town and village in
years training with a group of 20 year olds halted me in my the country has badminton courts...in church halls, second-
tracks...never mind the cost of such courses.” ary schools and community centers. At last, an activity that
It was this investigation of seniors fitness that brought is immune to the Irish climate!”
Pickleball to his attention. Pickleball Ireland’s role initially is to introduce this sport
“An individual in Donegal heard of my fitness for seniors to every town in Ireland. The first thing to do is to get
idea and told me she had just returned from Florida where people playing it...whether that be seniors or school
she was introduced to Pickleball by friends. She ended kids. As the sport develops, Pickleball Ireland will form a
up playing every morning of her holiday. She was hooked national association to organise competitions and to or-
instantly. I had to know more!” ganise coaching to improve the level of play. It is hoped
The internet opened up a whole new world to Michael that within the seniors community they will eventually
following that discussion. He discovered that over half have inter club, inter county and ultimately
a million adults play Pickleball in America today...the international tournaments. For example in September
vast majority of those players are over 50 and almost this year an international tournament will take place in
20% are over 70. You can search for Pickleball on the Madrid for all age categories. Wouldn’t it be great if we
had representation at that tournament!!
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 77
Multyfarnham ARA Picklebal Multyfarnham Pickleball
Pickleball...the new sport for Ireland’s senior citizens.
Michael Mc Daid, the founder of Pickleball Ireland formed the organisation to
introduce Pickleball to Ireland and especially to the country’s senior citizens.
Turning 55, several years ago caused Michael to think internet and you will find many videos of the sport
about his own age, health and fitness but it also showing people of all ages competing at their own
highlighted how others of his age had turned out. It level.
became clear that many of those young fit individuals The sport has also taken off in Canada and is now being
whom he had known as school kids and with whom he played in the UK, Spain and Holland and now of course
played sport as a young man, had led a very sedentary in Ireland.
life over the past 35 years. As hairlines receded, waist- “When I saw Pickleball for the first time I saw it as one of
lines had expanded to an unhealthy degree. the best activities I had ever come across. Here was a sport
This realisation that so many of his contemporaries that everyone could play regardless of age. Pickleball is the
could no longer be described as fit or healthy caused perfect sport to get all of us back to healthy activity in an
Michael to consider how he might help get the nation’s enjoyable and sociable way. It is such an easy sport to take
over 50’s back into shape. up. Ten minutes to get used to the paddles and the bounce
“I looked into training myself as a fitness instructor for of the ball and you are ready to compete. But what makes
seniors but discovered that there are no age specific it really relevant to the Irish market is that it is played on
courses available and the thought of spending a couple of a badminton court and of course every town and village in
years training with a group of 20 year olds halted me in my the country has badminton courts...in church halls, second-
tracks...never mind the cost of such courses.” ary schools and community centers. At last, an activity that
It was this investigation of seniors fitness that brought is immune to the Irish climate!”
Pickleball to his attention. Pickleball Ireland’s role initially is to introduce this sport
“An individual in Donegal heard of my fitness for seniors to every town in Ireland. The first thing to do is to get
idea and told me she had just returned from Florida where people playing it...whether that be seniors or school
she was introduced to Pickleball by friends. She ended kids. As the sport develops, Pickleball Ireland will form a
up playing every morning of her holiday. She was hooked national association to organise competitions and to or-
instantly. I had to know more!” ganise coaching to improve the level of play. It is hoped
The internet opened up a whole new world to Michael that within the seniors community they will eventually
following that discussion. He discovered that over half have inter club, inter county and ultimately
a million adults play Pickleball in America today...the international tournaments. For example in September
vast majority of those players are over 50 and almost this year an international tournament will take place in
20% are over 70. You can search for Pickleball on the Madrid for all age categories. Wouldn’t it be great if we
had representation at that tournament!!
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 77
