“They’re there. And, they’re waiting,” Kaden Peterson, the tennis team captain of Madison High School fears for her school’s team. The 12 outside hard courts adjacent to Madison High School are both a place to play pickleball and tennis now that they have recently expanded in late September, 2023.
Debated for years, the decision to add a new court was recently passed by the “Open Space Committee, Environmental Commission, Shade Tree Commission, Recreation Advisory and Parks Advisory” (Patch Local News). The Board of Madison High School also approved of the new installation of the pickleball and basketball courts as public property for the town of Madison, NJ.
The Madison community at large can use the courts to play pickleball or basketball even during school hours. The adult pickleball community has been using the courts the most.
The tennis team at Madison High School, consisting of 25 strong players, is at an inconvenience. Kaden Peterson, the starting singles player and captain of the Madison High School tennis team shares her experiences on the court and speaks for the team as a whole. She says that the installation of the multi-purpose courts behind the original tennis courts has caused a disturbance.
According to the Madison HS Girls Tennis Team, during important practices the team has witnessed a lot of action and disturbing noise behind the tennis courts. The players have found it more difficult to focus through all of the noise and congregation from the kids playing pickleball and basketball during after school hours.
There are many pickleball players in the community of Madison, NJ and they are fighting for the open space to practice. Often, pickleball players are eagerly waiting for the tennis team to vacate the courts. The new installation of the pickleball courts gives this group more space to play.
For our school’s principal, Mr. Dreshel, pickleball has been a part of his life for a long time, as he has played recreationally since his younger years. Gym teachers at our school that use the courts during classes are enthralled about the school’s latest addition, “Personally, I like pickle ball a little bit more than tennis because there is more range from left to right,” says Coach Rosella. We have heard great feedback from the student body, staff, and townspeople about the new installation and it is currently being used by the locals for pickleball matches.
Both pickleball and tennis are sports that we enjoy and are very different in terms of court lines, racket sizes, and the ball being used. 48 million Americans have taken up pickleball as a hobby or sport, making it the fastest growing sport. The United States Tennis Association notes that tennis also has been growing as a sport, “with an increase of 5.9 million participants, or 33 percent, since the start of 2020” (United States Tennis Association).
Thanks to the new installation of the pickleball court, let’s hope that everyone gets the opportunity to have fun, be active, and attend matches. This new installation represents Madison, NJ and their inclusive community as it supports an active lifestyle for all of the town. Find out more from Dodger Media.