For more than five years, DA has been teaching pickleball as part of its racquet sports unit in Physical Education (PE) classes. This year, the DA coaching staff has put together a round-robin tournament as the finale to the unit which has caught the attention of USA Pickleball. The co-ed doubles tournament included DA Middle School students with prizes from USA Pickleball including branded paddles for the top six players and the first-place team will receive an annual individual membership to the organization. In addition, Denver Academy will receive a Youth Program Provider (YPP) Membership, which gives access to the official youth pickleball playbook, discounts on equipment for the school, free access to the youth pickleball video series, and digital copies of Pickleball Magazine.

 

The competition kicked off on Monday, Feb. 22, and took place all week during PE classes with the semi-finals and finals on Monday, March 1, and Tuesday, March 2. The all-around tournament winners were Peter H. and Joel D. Fair Play Awards were also given to Ted G., Gunnar C., Maddy W., and Rose G. 

 

The tournament took place on the Denver Academy Campus in the James E. Loan Athletic Center, 4400 E Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80222. The James E. Loan Athletic Center opened in May of 2019 and provides a 25,000 square-foot facility including a multi-use gym with 500 seats as well as locker rooms, a weight room, and a dance studio. The gym is part of DA’s 50^th Anniversary Building on Excellence campaign. Find out more here. 

 

As part of its curriculum, Denver Academy provides Physical Education every day for students in Elementary through 6th Grade and as an elective for Middle and High School students. Pickleball is offered for middle school students. Due to the sport’s popularity among students and the fact that it’s a great physically-distant activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, DA coaches decided to add the element of a tournament this year.