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New Games in Tahoe City

Layne Van Noy
Special to the Sun
Submitted to aedgett@sierrasun.com
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TAHOE CITY, Calif. and#8212; and#8220;New Gamesand#8221; was a movement which began in the late 1960s. The New Games Foundation was formed later on to promote philosophies such as simplified rules, cooperation, fun and very little equipment. After several New Games events were held in California in the early 1970s, the New Games era gained momentum. Unfortunately, changing times, differences in philosophies and financial setbacks brought the foundation to a close in 1990. While the foundation is gone, the philosophy of New Games lives on in modern cooperative games, team building activities in the workplaces and other areas.

New Games may be an old game thatand#8217;s new to the area or a recently created game sweeping across the country. There are a number of and#8220;new gamesand#8221; in Tahoe City.

An old game new to the area is lacrosse. Local lacrosse enthusiast Brett McCann approached the Tahoe City PUD Parks and Recreation Department this winter with the idea of forming a youth lacrosse program for the children of north Lake Tahoe. Three months later and after 40 registered athletes, games were being played in Tahoe City, Truckee and Reno, Nev. Players and parents alike comment it is comparable to the action of soccer, the contact of football and the strategy of basketball rolled up into a fun spring sport. Look for it next spring to include girls lacrosse as well.



A new game sweeping the country is Pickleball (not Puckleball another new game, Google it). Pickleball is a combination of tennis racquetball, ping pong and badminton. This sport was conceived out of boredom and named after a dog. It is gaining popularity with physically active seniors who make up about 15 percent of the 75,000 players in the country. Nevertheless, this is a sport for all ages. A number of schools across the country are integrating Pickleball into its physical education classes.

Locally, 13 players on Team Squaw medaled at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah recently. If you are looking to get involved and learn the game of Pickleball, Tahoe City PUD Parks and Recreation is offering a program at Rideout Community Center, 740 Timberland Lane, Tahoe City.



This is a free instructional program given by nationally known and experienced players, running July 4 through Aug. 31. It will be held every Monday and Wednesday, 9:30-11 a.m. It is open to all ages, so come on out and learn Americaand#8217;s fastest growing new game. In addition to Rideout, Pickleball is being played at the Truckee Donner Recreation and Parks District Recreation Center and the Squaw Valley Park.

Look for Fastball this summer or fall as the latest new game to hit Tahoe City. Wood bats, softball fields, overhand pitching, sounds like fun. If you have any other suggestions or would like to introduce a new game to the community contact us on our Facebook page and give us your ideas.

For more information contact the Parks and Recreation Office at 530-583-3440, ext. 11, 740 Timberland Lane, Tahoe City or visit http://www.tahoecitypud.com or http://www.facebook.com/tahoecityparksandrecreation and check out what weand#8217;re doing to enhance your community.

and#8212; Layne Van Noy is the TCPUD Superintendent. This article was submitted to aedgett@sierrasun.com.


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