Pro pickleball players inspire healthy habits for Hillsborough County students ahead of AdventHealth Tampa Bay PPA Challenger

SEFFNER, Fla. — TAMPA, Fla. (March 5, 2026) — Before the first serve of the AdventHealth Tampa Bay PPA Challenger tournament, professional pickleball players made a special stop at Jennings Middle School in Seffner to introduce students to one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and encourage healthy, active lifestyles.

During the visit, pro players joined students during their physical education classes to demonstrate pickleball fundamentals and share how movement, teamwork and staying active can support lifelong health and well-being. To help students continue playing after the visit, each student received a pickleball paddle and ball set provided by AdventHealth.

“Partnerships like this are about investing in the health of our community,” said Dean Whaley, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement for the AdventHealth West Florida Division. "Pickleball is a sport that brings people together and makes movement fun and accessible. By introducing students to the game and providing equipment they can continue using, we hope to inspire healthy habits that support their well-being for years to come.”

Teachers and school leaders joined students in the gym as pro players demonstrated skills, worked directly with students and answered their questions about what it takes to compete at the professional level. For many students, it was their first time holding a pickleball paddle.

Encouraging young people to stay active is increasingly important. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than one in four children in the United States meet the recommended daily amount of physical activity.

By connecting professional athletes with students and providing the tools to keep playing, AdventHealth hopes to make pickleball more accessible while encouraging families across Tampa Bay to stay active together.

The school visit took place just days before the 2026 AdventHealth Tampa Bay PPA Challenger, happening March 6–8 at Harbour Island Life Time Pickleball. The tournament will bring professional and amateur athletes from across the country together to compete in one of America’s fastest-growing sports.

"Pickleball was founded on the idea that people of all ages can come together in a fun, active manner and play," said Tanner Groff, Vice President of the PPA Challenger Series. "The PPA Challenger Series is designed to nurture developing talent and promote the game at the grassroots level, and, true to our ethos, we are thrilled to see the enthusiasm of the kids at Jennings Middle School for the sport of pickleball and the healthy lifestyle it provides.”

Throughout the three-day event, AdventHealth will also have physical therapists on site, providing stretching and injury support for players and answering questions from fans about staying active and preventing injuries.

About PPA Challenger Series:

Founded in 2025, the PPA Challenger Series is a grassroots tour designed to provide aspiring pickleball professionals a pathway to the PPA Tour, the pinnacle tour of global pickleball. The PPA Challenger Rankings award players points based on their results at PPA Challenger tournaments, and top finishers will earn their spot in the “PPA Challenger Showdown in Dallas,” where players will battle for a PPA Tour contract. With a deep commitment to fostering growth and development within the pickleball community, the PPA Challenger Series nurtures emerging talent, encourages participation, and ultimately elevates the sport at all levels. For more information, go to www.ppachallenger.com and follow us on social: Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube, and Facebook.