Introduction

Bluff City Pickleball is proud to be the founding sponsor of the Tennessee Junior Pickleball Association. Owners John and Leslie Daniel opened Bluff City Pickleball with a mission to use pickleball to enhance community mental and physical wellbeing. A natural extension of their mission is to provide a safe and competitive environment for young people to play pickleball. The club will host clinics, leagues, and tournaments for young people at its Barlett location while also providing expert advice and other support to the development of the statewide association.

Press Release

Tennessee Junior Pickleball Association holds tournaments, workshops, and afterschool play at Bluff City Pickleball

"The Road to Memphis" Junior Pickleball Tournament Series Looks to Attract Thousands of Junior Players and Provide a Healthy and Competitive Pathway

BARTLETT, TN, US, June 3, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Bluff City Pickleball in Bartlett, Tennessee is pleased to announce the formation of the Tennessee Junior Pickleball Association (TJPA), an organizing body for junior pickleball and a statewide hub for building competitive pathways for aspiring youth pickleballers.

"We are creating competitive pathways for junior players and forming an organizational structure to engage young players and sanction tournaments across the state.”

— Coach Randall Bedwell

The TJPA will be hosting “The Road to Memphis,” a series of monthly junior pickleball tournaments starting in August and culminating with the first statewide championship tournament next April. Currently, their “Free Play Tuesdays” for high school pickleballers continues to gain popularity, and a handful of churches, youth groups, and schools are forming the backbone for full-scale citywide team competition in the Fall.

Providing a safe and competitive pickleball environment for young players is a priority for a trio of dedicated pickleball entrepreneurs: John and Leslie Daniel, Bluff City Pickleball Club owners; Taylor Taylor, Senior Advisor and Training Lead for the club and founder of the nonprofit, PickleMania; and Randall Bedwell, whose Pickleball Kids USA runs junior tournaments, provides pedagogical training to physical education teachers, and advocates for statewide high school club competition. According to Bedwell, “We are creating competitive pathways for junior players and forming an organizational structure to engage young players and sanction tournaments across the state.” He also serves as the TJPA’s executive director.

This confluence of vision and expertise allows the Tennessee Junior Pickleball Association to become a regional center for youth pickleball and provide a fun and safe venue for schools, homeschool groups, Young Life clubs, and church groups to field teams and participate in healthy organized league play as well as more competitive monthly tournaments.

Germantown Coordinated School Health was the first school district to participate in Bluff City Pickleball’s junior outreach program. “We conducted a focus group with some Houston High School kids at our first Free Play Tuesday and their top concern was finding other teens to play against,” said John Daniel. “We listened and then began reaching out to schools, churches, and other youth-based organizations to find those interested kids to create fun and healthy competition here at the club.”

Schools, school districts, churches, Young Life chapters, and youth-focused organizations are invited to field teams, plan events and fundraisers, and join the fun and excitement of an emerging junior pickleball community at Bluff City Pickleball. For more information, contact Randall Bedwell at (901) 283-1320 or Randall@BluffCityPickleball.com.

Junior Pickleball Tournament

Calling All Junior Pickleball Players!

Get ready for a thrilling indoor junior tournament at Bluff City Pickleball in Bartlett filled with fun and competition.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, this event is perfect for you. Our round-robin format guarantees each player at least five matches, and our skilled coaches will guide beginners if they are uncertain about rules and scoring.

Event Highlights:

• Round Robin Format: Every player gets to play at least five matches.
• Coaching Assistance: Skilled coaches available for beginners.
• Free Food: Enjoy delicious food throughout the event.
• Raffles and Giveaways: Exciting equipment giveaways and raffles.
• Swag Bags: Filled with fun pickleball items and food gift certificates.

Whether you're aiming to win or just want to enjoy the game, this tournament promises a memorable experience. Meet other pickleball enthusiasts your age, make new friends, and show off your skills on the court!

 Click here for registration details and join the fun!