You know the saying: Families that play together, stay together! Research shows that spending enjoyable time together—especially doing fun or active things—builds strong family relationships and forges closer emotional bonds. This was fully evident on Friday, November 28, 2025, when SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) hosted Grandchildren’s Day on the pickleball courts! Sixty-plus active children, parents and grandparents joined in the fun creating lasting memories and maybe even launching a future pickleball star or two!
Jackie Kline spearheaded the event with the help of SPA volunteers Cindy McAlbin, Kathy Kerr, Diane Vaughn, Teresa Lawless, Kathy Jensen, Neba Reiter and Sara Santora. Agility drills were set up for the younger players with hula-hoops and buckets as designated targets. The older kids were coached in the basics of pickleball and got to play a few games with other grandchildren and their families.
Thanksgiving brought many from nearby cities such as Gilbert, Phoenix and even Oro Valley while others travelled farther to be with family. Maria and Michel Miller’s kin, The Blakely’s and granddaughter Sofia, flew in from Kansas City while Frank and Diane Shipton’s son, Ryan, wife ,Roxie and grandchildren, Bradley, Rowan and Nolan arrived from Los Angeles as did Linda Drake’s son, Lance, wife, Vanessa, and grandchildren, Theo and Ever. Three generations of each family were active on the courts with big smiles giving away how much fun they were having!
When several young players were asked how they felt about playing pickleball with their parents and grandparents, responses were “Awesome, so much fun, and one little one said “my grandma plays better than my dad!”
SPA was delighted with this year’s Grandchildren’s Day turnout and looks forward to a successful repeat next year!
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