The Town of Wake Forest will host a pickleball tournament on Wednesday, April 11, at 9:30 a.m. as part of the Wake County Senior Games. The tournament will be played at the Flaherty Park Pickleball Courts, 1226 North White. Street.
Considered one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, pickleball is a low impact paddle sport played on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net, a large ping-pong-like paddle and a plastic whiffle ball. Created for all ages and skill levels, the simple rules of the game make it easy for beginners to learn, yet fast-paced and competitive enough for more advanced players.
The Wake County Senior Games Inc. is a private, non-profit organization incorporated in 1989-90 to promote fitness, friendship and well-being for all residents ages 50 years of age and older who have lived in Wake County for three consecutive months. Sanctioned by the North Carolina Senior Games Inc., it is one of the largest of the 53 local games in the state.
The events are scheduled in March and April each year with individuals competing for awards within their own gender and age categories: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+. Typically, the top three winners (medalists) in each event by age and gender are eligible to compete in the North Carolina Senior Games each fall. Medalists from the state games are eligible to compete in the National Senior Games that occur every two years.
More than 30 individual and team sporting events such as tennis, golf, bowling, basketball, swimming, corn hole, pickleball, cycling, track and field are offered, as well as competition in the visual, literary, heritage, craft and performing arts. Events take place across Wake County. Approximately 500 Wake County residents are expected to participate in this year’s WCSG.
For more information, visit the Wake County Senior Games website at www.wcseniorgames.org/ or contact Recreation Program Superintendent Monica Lileton at 919-435-9563 or mlileton@wakeforestnc.gov.
