From retirement homes and high schools, from the elderly and the youth have found something in common. A 65-year-old retired teacher versus a 16-year-old varsity athlete: this is the pickleball scene in Peachtree City. Pickleball has become the bridge that connects the youth and the elderly in the retirement town Peachtree City is known as. Gray-headed athletes of yesterday competing against the upcoming teens of today; in this pickleball court, age is just a number.

In a world where there are a lot of barriers that prevent you from getting into a sport, pickleball doesn’t demand extraordinary athletic ability or expensive gear to keep up with other players.

“All you really need is a paddle, balls, and a court and you’re good to go,” sophomore Wyatt Tillman said.

While many traditional sports require you to be faster or stronger to win, pickleball offers an even playground where physical capabilities don’t guarantee wins.

“You don’t really need power or speed, it’s more of a strategy kind of game,” sophomore Ethan Mooring said.

It’s a place where a veteran’s knowledge and tactics of the game can beat the raw athleticism of younger players.

“Yeah, I got beat by this old dude. I was running around the court and he was barely moving and I still lost. It is what it is,” junior Ray Diagne said.

While the main focus is the final score, the real enjoyment is found in the connections that are made while playing.

“I have a lot of fun playing; I play with my grandpa and my friends a lot. It’s a really [good] bonding activity,” freshman Morgan Whytlaw said.

The lighthearted competitive nature of the sport gives a sense of camaraderie and teamwork, even if it’s with an unlikely partner.

“We switched up the teams and I made a new friend I didn’t expect I’d make,” junior Connor Donnelly said.

Peachtree City may be a place where people go to retire, but the spirit of pickleball doesn’t grow old. Whether you’re 16 years old or you have grandchildren, pickleball is for everyone, and it’s made the tight-knit community of Peachtree City even tighter. All you need is a paddle, a pickleball, and one of Peachtree’s many free courts.