Latest news with #TournamentSeries
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
India No. 8 Avinash Kumar lauds Picklebay as a launchpad for aspiring talent in pickleball
New Delhi, [India] June 10 (ANI): As Pickleball continues its remarkable rise in India, Picklebay has emerged as a promising new platform for players across the country to compete, grow, and get noticed, according to a release from AIPA. Among the top contenders at the Picklebay India Tour is 24-year-old Avinash Kumar, currently ranked No. 8 in India and 24th in Asia in men's singles (as per the DUPR rankings). Avinash, who recently clinched the silver medal in the Men's Open Singles category at the Mumbai leg of the Picklebay India Tour, believes the Tournament Series is setting a new benchmark for the sport in India. 'Picklebay is a fantastic platform, especially for new and emerging players. It gives us the opportunity to play across different states and helps young athletes get the visibility they need. The format and professionalism here make it a tournament that will definitely grow bigger with time,' Avinash Kumar said. Hailing from Patna, Bihar, Avinash's sporting journey began in cricket before he stumbled upon pickleball through a newspaper article around eight years ago. 'I googled it, connected with Bihar Pickleball Association's Secretary, Ranjan Gupta sir, who introduced me to the game, and that's where it all began,' he recalls. What started in a small local academy has since evolved into a full-time sporting pursuit, with the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) now backing him as a sponsored athlete. With a rigorous training schedule of nearly 5-6 hours a day, Avinash has already represented India internationally in multiple tournaments. Reflecting on the difference between international and Indian circuits, he noted, 'India has made great progress in infrastructure. Courts are becoming more accessible, especially with platforms like Picklebay. The level of competition is also rising steadily.' He sees pickleball as one of the most inclusive sports today. 'Pickleball is special because it combines the best of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Anyone from age 8 to 80 can enjoy it. It's cost-effective, easy to pick up, and now with more courts coming up in buildings and communities, it's growing organically.' Avinash also had a message for the next generation, 'Young players should seriously consider pickleball as a professional sport. The growth opportunities are real. If you work hard and perform, you'll get recognition--not just in India, but internationally too.' As Picklebay continues its India Tour, players like Avinash are proving just how impactful this Tournament Series can be in shaping the future of pickleball in the country. (ANI)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SPASH names inaugural lacrosse coach to pioneer program into future
STEVENS POINT - Just weeks after announcing the addition of lacrosse into the slew of sports performed at Stevens Point Area Senior High, the school has announced its inaugural coach for the program in Matt Rueth. After adding boys and girls Lacrosse to the Tournament Series in the 2023-2024 season, on March 10 SPASH's school board approved the decision to allow the Panthers program to enter the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) tournament series offerings. Advertisement Wisconsin Rapids names hockey coach: Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln hockey promotes new head coach from within program SPASH athletic director David Hauser expressed excitement for the advancement and how the initiative it could not only provide additional opportunities for student engagement but also highlight the importance of "school-based, education-focused athletics." As we strive to improve our athletic programs, we emphasize the extensive benefits that participation can provide," Hauser said. "We encourage our student-athletes to recognize the expectations and responsibilities inherent in each of our programs. The primary objective of education-based athletics is to foster human development andpersonal growth.' Rueth, a former three-sport athlete at Wausau East, has been the head and assistant coach for the local club lacrosse team for the past three seasons, sharing an already strong connection within the Stevens Point community. Advertisement Top performances: Stellar pitching, track performances highlight Central Wisconsin's best performances And he is excited to begin laying the foundational bricks of the program down, layer by layer. "It's an honor to be named the first head coach for the SPASH boys lacrosse program," Rueth said. "Lacrosse has been an important part of my life for many years, andI want to thank Athletic Director David Hauser for entrusting me with this opportunity. Great programs are built on integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence both on and off the field. We will push ourselves to constantly improve, compete with intensity, and represent SPASH with pride. I'm excited to build upon the strong foundation of Lacrosse in the Stevens Point area and look forward to our first season next spring.' Advertisement Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Reporter Alfred Smith III at Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @AlfredS_III. This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: SPASH names first-ever lacrosse coach just weeks after emergence
