A Pickleball Program For Special Olympians Is Thriving In New Hampshire
Dorothy DiBona, a USA Pickleball Ambassador, played a major role in bringing the program to life.
Dorothy DiBona recalled being reluctant when a friend encouraged her to try pickleball for the first time.
“After hearing the unusual name, I was skeptical,” DiBona said. “However, from the moment I played my first game, I was hooked. I quickly became an advocate for the sport.”
So much so that DiBona, who taught special needs children, quickly made a connection between pickleball and its potential within that community.
“Throughout my career, I witnessed firsthand the power of sports and physical activity in the lives of people with disabilities,” said DiBona, who has a master’s degree in deaf education. “Recognizing the social and physical benefits of pickleball, I wanted to become more involved.”
About eight years ago, DiBona became a USA Pickleball Ambassador, which allowed her to promote and grow the sport. One way she sought to do that was by creating a pickleball program specifically for Special Olympic athletes. After nearly two years of work, the program launched in the summer of 2023 at the Exeter Area YMCA in New Hampshire.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said DiBona, who became the New Hampshire District Ambassador two years ago. “The biggest challenge was finding a venue that would welcome these athletes. Despite numerous conversations, proposals and meetings, it took me two years to secure a location at the YMCA, and the program quickly took off.”
DiBona called the journey “challenging,” but added that “the rewards have been immeasurable.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to combine my passion for education and sports to make a lasting impact in the lives of Special Olympic athletes,” she said.
Jim Tufts, a legendary local coach who has spent decades working with Special Olympics New Hampshire, has been a key partner in the effort.
“His dedication and his experience in pickleball and other sports has given enjoyment to these Special Olympians,” DiBona said. “His enthusiasm and knowledge of working and leading Special Olympic athletes in other sports has helped our program at the (YMCA). He has a long history of working with the Special Olympic athletes and has been influential in helping me get the program to where it is today.”
Along with DiBona and Tufts, Anne Cloutier, Don Cloutier, Kerry Weidner and Wendy Larson also volunteered their time to support the pickleball program. And as Tufts noted, a couple of their athletes in particular have made great strides.”
“During the summer (of 2024), two of our athletes, Preston Saunders and Max Blackwin, played in a tournament in Andover (Massachusetts) that was sponsored by Special Olympics Massachusetts,” Tufts said. “It was a unified tournament, so they were paired with a partner and had a very positive experience.”
Though the participants have a wide range of abilities, Tufts said that all the regulars have shown improvement. The players’ ages range from 20 to 45, Tufts said. His son Matt is the oldest player in the group.
“During the Wednesday sessions they often do play a unified match with two of those volunteers,” Tufts said. “The others have progressed to where they can serve and keep a rally going for a number of hits, depending on their skill level.
“Each and every one of them who has played regularly, their skills have improved dramatically.”
According to Tufts, the hand-eye coordination required to play the sport makes pickleball an ideal activity for Special Olympians.
“As in many Special Olympic events, the physical benefits and skill development are important,” Tufts said. “And the social interaction is just as important. Our sessions come right after the regular pickleball times, and those folks have taken an interest in our athletes and support their efforts.
“One of the key components of Special Olympics is the social interaction. That’s absolutely the case with our (pickleball) group. The social piece is an equal part of the equation to the athletic piece. It really is a fun group.”
Tufts recalled one evening last summer when he was sitting and watching pickleball play at the Exeter Parks and Recreation Department outdoor courts. He counted more than 60 players, including his Special Olympians.
“Pickleball has become a religion, right?” Tufts said. “They interact with our kids, sometimes join us, sometimes watch. We’ve sort of become part of the pickleball nation. I think it’s great for the kids.”
Bob Reinert spent 17 years writing sports for The Boston Globe. He also served as a sports information director at Saint Anselm College and Phillips Exeter Academy. He is a contributor to USA Pickleball on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
