Pickleball and it's growing popularity in Central Pa

The Spark

According to the 2024 Sports & Fitness Industry Association Topline Participation report, Pickleball grew in 2023 to 13.6 million players in the United States. Brandon Workotter the Owner of the Central Pa Pro Pickleball League says the sport grew since the pandemic.

“It's on a much smaller court, so you're getting a little bit more of a workout than ping pong, but it's not quite as challenging, etc. so it's really inviting to a lot of older people, as well as the younger crowd who is coming from other sport that has a competitive background, and if it can really be a lot of fun and. Believe it or not, it is a good workout. I recommend people get out there and try it.”

Workotter has been playing pickleball since 2019. Over the years, he found a new passion out of the sport and became a professional pickleball player.

“Two different groups of professionals, so to speak. And often they overlap. You can be a teaching professional and get certified to coach or teach the sport. Or you can play professional tournament. There's a few different leagues now. And if you're good enough to get into this tournament, you can play and travel the country and really get on tour and play some of those tournaments. I've had the opportunity to play a couple, but I mainly pitch here in Pennsylvania Bank Creek Country Club, and I kind of do that as a career.”

The sport grew during the pandemic as people were looking to get some physical activity and fresh fair. The social aspect of the sport is attractive to people of all ages. That led Workotter to create the Central Pennsylvania Pro Pickleball League.

“My goal behind the league was to bring together the top players in the area and help them build brand awareness and get their name out there. A lot of these players either play high level tournaments, some play professional tournament, a lot of them are teaching professionals like me, who teach pickleball lessons and clinics all over central PA. And my other, you know, my other goals or reasons behind this league was to help support local businesses. So, a lot of local businesses are involved in sponsoring this league. And, you know, my goal is to help build a healthy relationship and hope that they can grow a business. And, you know, in return they're supporting a good cause. And, you know, lastly, my goal is to get the community. I apologize. Yeah. So, my last my last kind of gold behind the legal to grow the community in our area. And I wanted to bring the community together and get players out there too not only. Watch and have yet to learn from these players but come on out with their friends and family and provide a nice social atmosphere that's inviting to everyone.”

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