Bill Giannetti, USAPA Pickleball Ambassador Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey

I had a brief conversation with Bill Giannetti the other day. His story must be like many others who become a USAPA Ambassador. He plays tennis. He met a couple of guys, Stan Shumaker and Dave Wheeler, who introduced him to pickleball in Pennsylvania. Stan learned about the game when he visited Arizona about 5 years ago. They all gathered on the tennis court and taught Bill the game. Stan works for the City of Philadelphia so he had great connections to promote pickleball in the community.

Bill lives in a 55+ community and he got pickleball started there. Now there’s about 20 folks who turn out every day to play. In the township, they're allowed to play once a week in the community center. There’s a meeting soon to see if they can play in the gym, which means they can set up 4 nets for more participation in his clinics. Bill loved learning about the game, so, it seemed only natural that he would become a USAPA Pickleball Ambassador. Bill got a grant from the USAPA for two portable net systems and started introducing the game out in a parking lot. In New Jersey, he first got permission to play in an elementary school once a week. In the summer, Bill and his friends tape pickleball lines on tennis courts and play a couple of times a week.

Bill gives regular clinics throughout the year. With one or two nets, he can include 12 folks in his clinic, but 4 courts would be perfect. He plays in Ocean City, NJ as well. There are about 30 folks who play there regularly 3 times a week. Bill still plays tennis with his wife on Saturdays, but you’ll find him playing pickleball Monday thru Friday now. On August 26, 2015, there was a dedication for the opening of new pickleball courts. Egg Harbor Township Parks and Recreation held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the courts located in Delilah Oaks Park. They are open to the community from sunrise to sunset.

Bill has been invited to give a clinic in Vineland, NJ, and that's how he spreads the good news about pickleball. Bill has also been asked to consider becoming a Regional Ambassador. Since he's well known in the area already, it wouldn't be a stretch.

Bill loves the game: it keeps him busy, it keeps him fit, and he has fun too! Thank you Bill, for your dedication to promoting the game of pickleball in the Atlantic Region.

Click here if you'd like to read more info about the Egg Harbor Township Recreation Dept offering pickleball.