‘Pickleball Is Exploding’: Coach Smiley Riley Bullish on Sport’s Rise, Says Kids Love it
It’s no question pickleball is on a meteoric rise, both in the U.S. and around the world. It is particularly true in Asia, where the sport is growing in countries like India, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It’s even making inroads in basketball-crazy Philippines and in China.
Apparently, that growth might just be the tip of the iceberg so to speak. For renowned pickleball coach Riley Palmer (a.k.a. Smiley Riley), the sport is set for an even bigger explosion. And she is certainly looking forward to it, along with the worldwide pickleball community.
“I have to say, this has probably been the most exciting four years of my life, working in pickleball and being able to coach. Seeing the expansion in youth sports here has just been dynamite. This used to be considered a sport that kids were not necessarily part of, and now we’re seeing it grow a lot,” Riley said in a recent interview. “We have monster athlete programs out here, we have competitive junior teams, so I can’t say, I don’t think this fire is going out anytime soon.”
Pickleball Is Getting Kids Hooked as Well
Part of the reason Riley is so bullish about the sport is its appeal to younger players—even kids. And the respected pickleball coach knows why it’s been a hit with the young ones.
“I have to say, the opportunity for pickleball everywhere is exploding,” she further added.
“It’s fast points. It’s a lot of fun,” she pointed out. “You hit a bad shot, you’re into the next shot immediately. It’s game, game, game. They can keep playing.”
But there’s more to it, according to Riley. For her, kids are drawn to pickleball because “anyone can play” it.
“They don’t have to be the most athletic or the fastest kid out there. Height doesn’t matter. It’s really opened the doors to any kid that wants to play,” she further said.
Indeed, pickleball is perfect for anyone and everyone, young and old, athletic or not. And with kids and young players getting into it, the sport is certainly looking at a very bright future—an explosive ascent that’s sure to bring pickleball to new heights.
