Fleming and Carvana Make Pickleball for All Exhibition a Success

Anthony Ryan played competitive wheelchair tennis for more than a decade. He got burned out on it. Playing a dozen or more tournaments per year will do that.

So Ryan went looking for something else. Like so many others who played tennis or other competitive sports, Ryan came across pickleball.

He’s been hooked ever since, and now you just might see him watching the non-volley zone line really closely.

Ryan is the first Level I credential referee in a wheelchair. He earned his rank recently at the Atlantic South Diamond Regional in Opelika, Ala. 

“It’s just a venture I chose to pursue and was able to accomplish by sacrificing some time and putting forth a bit of hard work,” said Ryan.

Ryan, who was born with a tumor on his spinal cord, is 41 and his refereeing accomplishment comes right after the PPA Tour and title sponsor Carvana celebrated Mobility Awareness month by playing host to an exhibition at Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine, Texas.

“I said, I’d do whatever they wanted. And it was just awesome to see,” said Dave Fleming, who is the voice of the PPA Tour. Fleming represented the PPA in the inaugural Pickleball for All exhibition. “Just being part of it was a personal privilege for me,” he said.

“If you need some perspective in life, come watch some of these athletes playing pickleball in a wheelchair.” 

Carvana helped celebrate Mobility Awareness month by putting on an exhibition featuring athletes of all abilities. There was food and prizes and games. Professional para-athlete Pam Fontaine who competed in the paralympics and former Motocross athlete and spinal cord injury survivor Taylor Nichols were just some of the participants.

Ryan started playing pickleball in 2018 and recently played in the Mid-South Diamond Regional in Dallas, earning a gold medal alongside his brother in the hybrid bracket. Yes, he still plays, but an arm injury limits the amount of time he spends on the court with a paddle.

So, Ryan decided to look into being a ref.

“I started thinking of other ways to stay involved,” Ryan said. “Refereeing was an obvious choice. “I started watching pro events on TV several years ago and always thought the referees had a really cool gig.” 

In addition to the exhibition in Grapevine, Carvana will be donating some “wheels’ ‘ this year – two sport wheelchairs apiece to the North Texas Chapter of United Spinal Association, the Southwest Wheelchair Athletic Association and the Dallas Junior Wheelchair Mavericks for athletes in the Dallas area.

Meanwhile, the Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine will also have wheelchairs available for anyone who needs them.

“This was a really fun thing to showcase,” said Fleming. “And pickleball is so great. If you’ve had a setback of some sort, there’s no reason not to participate and give it a try.”

That’s one of the things that makes pickleball so great is its ability to be inclusive to anyone, like Fleming said.

“We’re here to serve happiness in the pickleball space and help bring even more players and fans to the game,” said Ryan Keeton, co-founder and chief brand officer of Carvana before last month’s event. “We created an experience that reflects our dedication to the sport, our customers, and shared our people-first values.”

And an event like this one is not only great for the participants, but it’s one that benefits all parties.

“This takes ‘giving back’ to the next level,” Fleming said. “It’s nice to come together with the tour’s primary sponsor. That’s doing life right. Carvana isn’t just writing a check. It’s important to them to do things beyond just putting their name out there as the tour sponsor. This was about the never-ending inclusivity of pickleball. Whether you’re 8 or 80, in a wheelchair or not. This game is for everyone. It’s a sport that adds joy to people’s lives.”

It has for Ryan, too.

“I understand that the farther I advance in the sport as an individual, be it as a player or as a referee, the greater the level of responsibility I have to the collective group of adaptive athletes looking to get involved,” he said. “I welcome that responsibility, though, because I’ve benefited from the sport and its ability to enhance the physical, mental, and emotional health of all athletes, sitting and standing.”

“Partnering with PPA for the first ever Pickleball for All: Mobility Awareness Clinic was a memorable moment for all. Being able to host players of all ages at Chicken N Pickle to come play, watch and learn about adaptive pickleball with pros and para-athletes was an impactful way to bring attention to not only the accessibility of pickleball but Mobility Awareness Month. The highlight of the night was the sports wheelchair donations to three organizaitons: The Dallas Wheelchair Junior Mavericks,North Texas Chapter of United Spinal Association, and the Southwest Wheelchair Athletic Association. Carvana is grateful to be able to serve happiness in this space and support each of these organizations in their mission of supporting the millions of Americans living with mobility issues.” 

-Allison Andrews, Brand Manager, Community