Gavin Manders is hoping to prove that his first love tennis can coexist with pickleball in Bermuda

Pickleball is growing at a rapid pace globally, while in Bermuda there is displeasure among members of the tennis community over the loss of a number of courts open to the public at WER Joell Tennis Stadium, a government-run tennis facility.

In a move that is hoped could bridge the gap between the two sporting codes, Gavin Manders, the island’s most decorated tennis player, has been appointed as national director of the Pickleball Association Bermuda, tasked with the sport’s development on island.

Manders, who has a record 33 wins for the island in Davis Cup competition, is confident that the two sports can work together harmoniously.

“Tennis and pickleball can work together to create more positive change,’’ Manders said.

“I don't think it needs to be one or the other. I do think there’s obviously dynamics with courts, but we have to work together.

“The whole point of sport is to bring people together in order to give them a positive lifestyle and for the next generation to create pathways in their life. That’s why I got involved.

“I would like to bridge the gap between tennis and pickleball and that can be achieved through some initiatives that join the forces instead of separating them.

“The sport is similar to how we do it in the schools, having joint events and different things like that is something that is possible and would have a positive impact on the country.

“My goal is to help both sports to grow, and both help each other get what they need. If facilities are running at a high capacity, it gives us the ability to be able to possibly add more in anything.”

Manders, who runs Manders Tennis Management and holds camps at one of the most popular academys in Bermuda, will be busy in his new part-time position but believes he has the energy to combine both roles.

“It’s a part-time role,’’ he said. “Obviously I'm still full-time with MTM but at the end of the day the PAB role requires full-time energy.

“I run the most active tennis academy in Bermuda. MTM has an elite academy that trains a good majority of the juniors, so my role with MTM continues to be the same, this is just an addition.

“I'm a full-time rackets professional looking to create positive change for the next generation. This is just me adding more value and more opportunity for me to have a wider impact.

“The pickleball role falls along the lines of what I'm looking to do anyway. Maybe in the future it becomes full-time, but that’s not what I’m looking for.

“We’re starting with a year, and then re-evaluate. It’s January to January but I started much earlier than that. Formally, we’re going to do it for this year then re-evaluate.

“Our goal this year is to have a presence in the schools system. We’re working on getting pickleball as a part of the curriculum and it will start with us going to the schools.

“I run that for the BLTA [Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association ], so I'm very connected with the teachers and I think another sports just gives them another avenue.

“The formation of national teams for Bermuda is one of our big things within the role. We have to create national teams for us to start to compete in the US, with the ultimate goal of starting regional competitions.”

Turning to his appointment, Manders expressed his gratitude to the PAB for entrusting him with such a position.

“I appreciate the PAB’s support and belief in me to take over such an important role for them,’’ Manders said.

“Pickleball is obviously one of the fastest growing sports in the world and it’s growing very fast here. I bring international experience with tennis and my understanding of how to create national teams, of how the region works within competition, and also the grassroots side, taking it into the schools and creating educational pathways using another sport.

“I’m still heavily involved in tennis but I see this an opportunity to use my passion to impact more people.

“My entire purpose at this point is to use my skills, my abilities and my love for sports in general to have a positive impact on people’s lives.

“I got my pickleball certification roughly four years ago. I just didn't use it but I joined the board in October last year and I've been helping support the PAB in whatever way I can.