Good morning pickleballers!
The week is moving along quickly, and what a week.
I am contractually obliged to keep reminding you of the World Pickleball Magazine issue #1 which came out this week.
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Joe James has been busy writing articles this week. He has looked deeper into the announcement of the new African pickleball board and then at the upcoming PPA tournament in Tucson, Arizona.
And on to today's news from across the world of pickleball.
"The Girlies" Pickleball Merch Sells Out in Hours, Proving Fan Power
Pickleball stars Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher, affectionately known as "The Girlies," have demonstrated their immense popularity with the launch of their first merchandise collection. The duo's "Girlies Pickleball Club" released a green crewneck featuring a charming design of two female figures playing the sport. Priced at $98, the sweatshirt was intended as a way for fans to show their support for the women’s doubles tandem.
Launched on February 3rd, the crewnecks sold out in a mere five hours, highlighting the strong connection the athletes have with their fanbase. “We are so excited about releasing our brand this year,” said Rohrabacher, “The fans have really embraced us as ‘The Girlies’".
The quick sell-out suggests that future merchandise from the duo will be highly sought after. Fellow pros Dekel Bar, Dylan Frazier, and Parris Todd were among those who secured the coveted item. Bright and Rohrabacher have hinted at more exciting things to come in 2025, adding to the anticipation of their next product release. The success of the merchandise underscores the growing fan base for pickleball and its star players.
Pickleball Officially Takes Root in Gibraltar, Thanks to European Champion
Pickleball has officially established itself in Gibraltar, marking a significant step for the rapidly growing sport. The Gibraltar Pickleball Association (GPA) has been formally recognized by the Gibraltar Sports Advisory Council (GSAC), signalling a new era for the sport on the island. Minister for Sport, Mr. Leslie Bruzon, confirmed the acceptance of the GPA, which has already held its first Annual General Meeting.
The driving force behind pickleball's introduction to Gibraltar is Lee Whitwell, a top-ranked European pickleball player. Her efforts have led to the GPA’s quick recognition from the European Pickleball governing body. Although the association is currently using badminton courts, they have reported no issues with the shared facilities, and have not requested dedicated pickleball facilities, according to Mr. Bruzon.
Pickleball, a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is played with paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a court similar to a badminton court. The sport has experienced a surge in popularity globally, with over 36.5 million people in the U.S. having played it in the last year. Its accessibility and inclusive nature have made it appealing to a wide range of players.
Parkinson's Community in North Herts Gets Free Pickleball Sessions
The North Herts community is set to benefit from new, free pickleball sessions designed specifically for individuals living with Parkinson's disease. Starting February 25th at the North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth Garden City, these weekly sessions are made possible by a grant from Parkinson's UK and a partnership between Pickleball England and Everyone Active. The sessions aim to improve balance, flexibility, and mobility, which are often affected by the condition.
"Pickleball is an ideal sport for people with Parkinson's," says Kirsty Jones from Everyone Active. The controlled movements, combined with the social interaction, can help combat isolation, while the sport offers a fun and welcoming environment for all participants, regardless of their previous experience with pickleball. Specially trained coaches will lead the sessions, providing support for people at all stages of their Parkinson’s journey. While non-members can join for £2 per session, Everyone Active is providing free membership for individuals with Parkinson's and their carers, making the sessions effectively free. The weekly sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. The initiative highlights the potential of pickleball to positively impact overall well-being and community engagement.
Pickleball Powerhouses Reunite: Newman and Wright Team Up for Tucson Open After Public Split
The pickleball world is buzzing with the reunion of Riley Newman and Matt Wright, who are set to compete together at the upcoming Proton Tucson Open after a year and a half apart. The duo, who dominated the sport from January 2022 to June 2023, medaled in all 27 tournaments they played together, securing eight titles, including four victories over the Johns brothers. Their split in June 2023 was public, with Newman posting about the decision on Instagram.
Despite their separation, both remained top players. After facing off at the PPA Finals in 2023, where they each won a match against the other, they had a conversation about the possibility of a reunion. "We haven’t really found that next best partner to fill in and be that solid partner that we were for each other back in the day," Newman admitted. They both acknowledged the unique chemistry and success they shared, with Wright noting, “I think we play better in the bigger moments”. While the game has evolved with more power and spin, they believe their styles will still mesh well. The pair enters the tournament as the No. 7 seeds, with plans to compete in at least three tournaments together this year.
Johns and Patriquin Form New Pickleball Partnership, Combining Top Talent
In a surprising twist, pickleball stars Ben Johns and Hayden Patriquin are teaming up for the first time at the Proton Tucson Open, marking a significant new partnership in the sport. This pairing comes after Ben Johns ended his long-standing partnership with his brother Collin and represents a fresh dynamic for both players. While Johns is set to play with Gabe Tardio for most of the year, he's joining forces with Patriquin for the Tucson tournament, recognizing the young player's impressive skills.
Johns praised Patriquin’s aggressive third shots and deceptive play, stating that Patriquin's skills will allow him to follow up aggressively, along with his excellent hands in rallies. Patriquin, known for taking more court on the right side, is prepared to adjust his position to accommodate Johns. Despite the potential challenge in court positioning, both players expressed confidence in their chemistry after practicing together in Florida. "We had pretty good chemistry on the court and moved well with each other,” Patriquin noted. This new partnership is one to watch, as it brings together two highly talented players with the potential to create a formidable force on the court.
Humana and APP Extend Partnership, Bringing Back the Humana Cup
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and Humana Inc. have announced a multi-year extension of their partnership, solidifying Humana as the official healthcare partner of the APP Tour. This collaboration includes the return of the Humana Cup, a unique season-long team competition for professional players. The Humana Cup features two divisions: Champions (50 and older) and Masters (60 and older).
The 2025 Humana Cup will span seven APP Tour events across the country, with players competing for season-long prize money and the title of Humana Cup champions. The competition will include six Champions teams with 14 players each and six Masters teams with 10 players each. The teams will compete in men's, women's, and mixed doubles. The Humana Cup will conclude at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale.
The partnership also ensures that the Humana brand will be prominently featured at all APP Tour events, including the Humana Backcourt Recovery Lounge and the Humana Human Care Spotlight on national television broadcasts. According to APP Chief Revenue Officer Ryan McSpadden, the partnership will continue to share the benefits of pickleball for staying active and maintaining good health. The 2025 APP Tour season began with the Humana APP Fort Lauderdale Open.
Selkirk Unveils New High-Tech Pickleball Paddle with PureFoam Core
Selkirk Sport has introduced its latest innovation, the LABS Project 008 pickleball paddle, featuring a revolutionary PureFoam core technology. This high-density foam core is designed to address the limitations of traditional polypropylene cores, which can deform and lead to inconsistent performance. The PureFoam core is engineered for enhanced durability, maintaining consistent responsiveness and an enlarged sweet spot over time, while providing a softer, more responsive feel.
The LABS Project 008 will be released in three versions, each with a different core thickness to suit varying playing styles. These include: a 16mm core for control-focused players, a 13mm hybrid core for balanced play, and a 10mm core for power-driven players. According to Selkirk's director of research and development, Tom Barnes, the new core increases dwell time, enhances spin, and ensures consistent performance.
The LABS Project 008 is part of the Selkirk LABS program, allowing customers to provide feedback to further refine the paddle design before its main release. This new paddle reflects Selkirk's commitment to advancing pickleball technology with a focus on both performance and durability. The 13mm version is currently available for purchase, with the 16mm available for pre-order, and the 10mm version launching in mid-Spring. The Project 008 retails for $288 - which is just a little bit more than a PKLBull paddle, right?
Here's a 200-word news article using the headline "PB5star Launches Revolutionary Pickleball Shoe with 'Match-Fit Promise'," drawing on the provided sources and our conversation history:
PB5star Launches Revolutionary Pickleball Shoe with "Match-Fit Promise"
PB5star has introduced the PB5 Court2, a new high-performance pickleball shoe featuring innovative technology designed for the dynamic movements of court sports. The shoe incorporates a Dynamic Stability Assist™ system, inspired by automotive engineering, that provides exceptional control and stability through a dual-technology platform. The exterior tech acts as an independent suspension system, while the interior keeps the foot locked in place.
The PB5 Court2 includes multi-directional rubber pods on a flared outsole, a supportive cushioned midsole, and a unique wishbone shank. According to founder Chris Gallagher, the shoe was created to address the lack of proper footwear on pickleball courts, with the goal of providing the stability and durability needed by players. The shoe's features include a roomy toe box, padded collars, a removable footbed, premium high-abrasion natural rubber, and multi-zoned knit uppers for lightweight agility.
Medical professionals have praised the shoe for its health-conscious engineering. PB5star also offers a 30-Day Match-Fit Promise, allowing players to test the shoes with confidence. The company’s mission is to help players feel amazing, look incredible, and play better than ever, according to its website.