Pickleballz Groups for Dudes: Father’s Club and F3 KC Team Up Once Again

By Mike Rothwell, Board Member/Director of Community Partners for Father’s Club

The Father’s Club is all about guys showing up. Being intentional is what we are all about. Well, the men of F3 KC are a great resource partner for the Father’s Club. Why? Because they exist to invigorate male community leadership. They do this by planting, growing and serving small workout groups for men. So it was a perfect marriage for the Father’s Club and F3 to partner together and create a Pickleball Group for dudes.

In the spring of 2023, Ryan Kapple, the fearless and talkative leader who launched the Olathe East Chapter for the Father’s Club was called to create this Wednesday morning pickleball group. In pure Kapple fashion, he named the area of operation (AO as they call it in the F3 world) Pickleballz. And so it began in the spring of 2023 with four dudes and has grown to sixteen men on a consistent basis.

So why is this important to share you might ask?

By using the fastest growing game in America as a platform to encourage guys to show up, Pickleballz is slowly taking shape and developing into a rock star community of men from all walks of life.

Let’s be honest about the Father’s Club. Isn’t this what we are all about? Encouraging guys to show up and live authentically in community with one another. This is exactly how we are created to live. There is no “on your own” in this life. We need a band of brothers to lock arms with as we go into the battles of life each and every day. This group of men encourages one another, shares in each other’s burdens, and simply shows up for the guys next to them. Sure, we have a blast and talk a bunch of trash. But we do all of this with love and humility.

Join Us!

So come on out and see for yourself what this pickleball craze is all about. Currently we meet every Wednesday from 6am – 7am at Switzer Park. Afterwards, those who are able meet up for coffee at Scooters.

If Wednesdays are not your jam, or this is too far south, do not fear. Recently we launched a westside Pickleballz at Bois D’Arc Park at 87th and Lackman in Lenexa. They meet from 6:15am to 7:15am.

Our hope is that more Pickleballz venues will pop up next spring in Lee’s Summit, Olathe, and Shawnee Mission. If you are interested in launching a Pickleballz venue in your area, please contact Mike Rothwell (913.907.6329) or Ryan Kapple (913.548.9825) for more information.

I want to circle back to why this is all so important.

Pickleballz is fun and we have a number of good laughs every Wednesday and Thursday morning. However, getting guys to show up and do life together is only the beginning. In the end, we are dads, husbands, and leaders in this great community. When dads show up in an intentional manner, it really matters.

So no matter where you are in life, consider doing something simple this week. Just show up. It doesn’t have to be for Pickleballz or a Father’s CLub event. Just take your kid to lunch. Ask a friend to meet you for coffee. Go on a walk with your spouse. No agenda. Just be intentional. Then do it again the next week. See what happens.

Right Here. Right Now. You Matter.

Here is an encouraging new song about Fatherhood that may motivate you on your journey.