The great Whitney Houston once sang: “I believe the children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way.”
Well, the Association of Pickleball Players is doing just that as this morning the organization announced the addition of a new youth development program designed to provide players 18 and under a clear pathway of opportunities to make it to the APP Tour. The announcement comes on the heels of the unveiling of the 2024 APP Next Gen National Team roster.
With the ever-growing demand to provide junior pickleball players with necessary development and resources, the APP Junior Circuit will provide training and education for junior players to better their skills. This will put players on the pathway to the APP Next Gen Series, which has proven to successfully produce multiple APP Tour champions. Alix Truong, Riley Bohnert and Jorja Johnson, the youngest person to ever win a Triple Crown on the APP Tour, are examples of gold medalists who came from the Next Gen National Team.
The APP Junior Circuit will offer a world-class tournament experience specifically for players under the age of 18. Players will obtain an APP Junior Circuit rating for their age and divisions played, and rating points will be awarded for each player’s placement in events. Additionally, all players will be eligible to participate in the APP Junior National Championships held in December at The Fort, the APP’s headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“The youth movement in pickleball has really taken the sport by storm, and we’re proud to expand our support for the sport’s future stars,” said Melissa McCurley, APP executive vice president of competition. “The APP has always been an advocate and resource for players of all ages and skill levels, but our commitment to youth initiatives sets us apart.”
Three Junior Circuit events will be held by the APP this summer, at Chicken N Pickle facilities in San Antonio, Texas; Wichita, Kansas; and St. Charles, Missouri. Those interested in learning more about the events can click here.
Launched in 2021, the APP Next Gen Series was the first of its kind, a program dedicated to developing top American pickleball players between the ages of 16-23. The series includes coaching and education from senior professionals as well as mentoring, with a goal of preparing players to represent the United States in global pickleball events powered by the APP and APP professional competition.
The 2024 APP Next Gen U.S. National Team roster is made up of Bohnert (Louisville, Ky.), Jayden Broderick (Greenville, S.C.), Alia Brown (Alpharetta, Ga.), Jack Foster (Vero Beach, Fla.), Ava Kalist (Chambersburg, Pa.), Spencer Lanier (Newberg, Ore.), Richard Livornese (East Amwell Township, N.J.), Cameron Luhring (Parkersburg, Iowa), Lauren Mercado (Las Vegas, NV), Jack Munro (Austin, Texas), Brooke Revuelta (Miami, Fla.), Kaden Seward (Joplin, Mo.) and Ivy Tschetter (White Bear Lake, Minn.).
“The mission of the APP Next Gen U.S. National Team is to educate and build a successful foundation for each member of the squad through seminars, on site coaching, international exposure and development training camps,” said APP Founder Ken Herrmann. “The key to success is education, and building a team to help support oneself in any professional endeavor will help achieve success. We are truly proud to provide a platform for growth and international stewardship, creating pathways to success for every player regardless of skill level.”
Herrmann, who was a member of the USTA National Player Development coaching staff for five years in the 90s, will serve as director of the 2024 APP Next Gen U.S. National Team. Former collegiate coach and current APP Tour broadcaster, Chad Edwards, and current AARP Champions Division APP Tour pro, Lee Whitwell, will serve as coaches for the 2024 APP Next Gen U.S. National Team.
"Being part of the APP Next Gen U.S. National Team is a huge honor," said Bohnert. "Not only does it create even more friendships for me, it also provides great coaching. It has been an honor to be coached by Ken and especially Chad, who has always been there for me and has helped me in any way possible that he can.”
This year’s Next Gen Series includes three qualifying opportunities to compete at the 2024 USAP Junior National Championships in November in Mesa, Arizona. The three tournaments will be held at Chicken N Pickle facilities in San Antonio Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; and Dallas, Texas.
The APP prides itself on creating platforms for all pickleball players to be successful, regardless of skill level and age, through a solid portfolio of playing formats. Now, as the APP continues to grow the game of pickleball, the young pickleball players of today know that they have the support to grow into the pickleball stars of tomorrow.
