How the SAAS Upper School Pickleball Club Became Official in 2025

By Asha Dean, Director of Outreach for Student Experience

Pickleball has always been included in SAAS’s Physical Education programming; the Middle School Gym was designed intentionally with pickleball lines, for example. However, until the 2025-2026 school year, pickleball units in PE were the only way for students to pursue the popular lifetime sport. 

Longtime SAAS PE teachers and coach Mike Bernier changed this year. After spring meetings between the Athletic Department, Mike, and student pickleball supporters, the Upper School Pickleball Club got the greenlight. This formal club with department resources can now provide more exposure to the sport for Upper School students and is an additional athletic offering at SAAS. 

The club is active in the fall season and meets twice a week at Miller Park Pickleball Courts. Bernier has a roster of roughly 20 student-athletes actively participating in the club. Currently, the practices emphasize skill development and teaching the rules of the game. 

“We want the kids to have an experience that is fun and meaningful for them. Pickleball is a great sport,” says Mike. He has completed a certification for pickleball and hopes to have a tournament where SAAS student-athletes can compete against other schools in the future.