Pickleball may be among the lesser understood racket sports - that is, unless you鈥檙e asking the Vernon Cadets.

The Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA) teamed up with the Vernon Cadet Training Centre (VCTC) for the first time last week, working four afternoon pickleball lessons into the cadets鈥� Basic Fitness and Sports Course.

Approximately 120 cadets aged 12 to 18 took to the freshly minted courts at Marshall Field, where volunteer instructors taught them the basics

The VPA says it was 鈥渆xcited to showcase the sport to these younger players, exposing them to the game as it quickly grows in popularity.鈥�

While it might not yet rival tennis or squash, pickleball is known to be 鈥渢he fastest growing sport in North America,鈥� according to the Association.

The Vernon Cadet Training Centre is host to more than 1,000 cadets from across western Canada for courses two, three and six weeks in length.

More information about playing pickleball in Vernon can be found at . For information about the Vernon Cadet Training Centre, contact Melodie Fallah at 250-540-2378.