Private businesses are doing it. Government units, whether national or local, are doing it as well. Schools, most especially, are certainly doing it.
Doing what, you might ask? They are using pickleball to build communities, nurture friendships and camaraderie, promote wellness and fitness, and provide much-needed recreation as a break from life’s normal hustle-bustle.
One recent example is the Pickleball Wellness Day organised by the Culture, Arts, Sports, and Development Unit (CASDevU) of Bukidnon State University for its faculty and staff. The special event was held on 24 June 2026 at the university gymnasium, specifically to promote wellness, camaraderie, and active living among employees. It welcomed beginners and intermediate players alike, allowing members of the Bukidnon State University community to experience one of the world’s fastest-growing sports while also promoting physical and mental well-being.
“Aside from being a great way to relieve stress, this activity allows me to meet new employees, reconnect with old friends, and build meaningful friendships. It also helps me develop my pickleball skills, especially since I’ve only recently started playing the sport,” said Chandrani Yves E. Estrada, President of the Non-Teaching Employees Association (NTEA) and Supervisor of Libraries, in an interview with the official Bukidnon State University paper.
“I have only been playing pickleball for three months. More than anything, it is about having fun and getting the opportunity to get to know other BukSU employees. You do not need to be highly skilled at this sport—the important thing is that you enjoy it,” added Davekeemark Daming, who comes from the Bukidnon State University Impasug-ong Satellite Campus.
Multiple open-play sessions marked the Pickleball Wellness Day, and these friendly competitions allowed employees from various offices, campuses, and departments of Bukidnon State University to network and take a break from their daily routines.
“I truly enjoyed the activity. It gave us a chance to unwind, and I hope activities like this will continue. It creates a friendly environment where employees can connect,” said Brenda G. Caballero, Research Ethics Committee (REC) Chairperson and Nursing faculty member. “I did not expect that there were still so many people in Bukidnon State University whom I had not yet met. I am looking forward to the next pickleball open play,” she added.
After the success of this Pickleball Wellness Day, Caballero and the rest of Bukidnon State University can certainly look forward to more of these events.
