By Sondra Barr
In an effort to introduce more young people to the growing sport of pickleball, Chicken N Pickle has launched a new initiative offering free pickleball sessions for teens. Every Sunday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., teens can enjoy the outdoor courts at Chicken N Pickle’s Glendale location without any cost.
Senior Director of Communications for Chicken N Pickle Carrie Bartlow explains the motivation behind this initiative: “We are always looking for ways to introduce people of all ages and abilities to the game of pickleball. We know that teens appreciate inclusive fun and unforgettable experiences – and that’s exactly what they’ll find at Chicken N Pickle. Offering free outdoor courts removes the barrier of cost and allows them to safely gather together at a state-of-the-art facility to make memories!”
Pickleball, known for its low-impact and social nature, is an ideal activity for teenagers. The game’s simple rules and minimal equipment requirements make it accessible for everyone. “Pickleball is a low-impact, highly social sport; the rules are easy to learn and follow and it’s a simple concept that doesn’t require a lot of training or equipment – all you need is a paddle and a ball! They can bring their own or rent one of ours,” Bartlow notes. She also highlights the physical benefits, saying, “It’s accessible for all ages and abilities and can help with coordination, balance, and agility. We see teens coming on to our courts, putting their phones down, and making memories together while getting exercise.”
The community response to this initiative has been overwhelmingly positive. Since its launch, various youth groups, sports teams, and school clubs have taken advantage of the free courts.
“We launched our free courts for teens recently across all 10 Chicken N Pickle locations and have loved seeing youth groups, sports teams, school clubs, and more gather to enjoy fun on the courts along with delicious food. We’re a ‘low tech, high touch’ environment where they have fun competing and connecting with each other,” says Bartlow.
Ensuring a safe and welcoming environment is a top priority for Chicken N Pickle. The venue is designed to be inclusive and family-friendly, offering not just pickleball courts but also food, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, and giant yard games.
“We know that groups of teens enjoy playing, eating, celebrating and gathering in a place that is welcoming and inclusive,” says Bartlow. “Our property has something for everyone – it’s the coolest backyard they never want to leave!”
Looking ahead, Chicken N Pickle plans to expand this initiative and introduce more people to the joys of pickleball. They are hopeful that the Sunday Social Teen Nights will continue to grow in popularity throughout the summer. “We’re always looking for ways to get people on our courts and introduce all ages and abilities to the game of pickleball. We offer beginner clinics, newbie nights, and even adaptive pickleball programming because we truly believe pickleball is for all,” Bartlow adds.
For more information on how to get involved or support these initiatives, drop by their Glendale location, located at 9330 W. Hanna Lane, in Glendale, on Sunday nights to see the fun firsthand, or visit chickennpickle.com.
