APD and pickleball: building connections and resilience through sport

By Jonathan Glover, City of Auburn Communications Manager

When you’re in the thick of a volley, nothing else matters. Shuffle left, arms up, here it comes, don’t miss — sure, it’s slower than tennis, but hesitate for even a second, and it’s your fault. Literally.

Just ask the Auburn Police Department’s pickleball players, a scrappy group of officers, commanders, detectives, retirees, spouses and more, all unified by the love of one extremely-Pacific Northwest game, which happens to the fastest growing sport in America: pickleball.

“We wanted to create some fun, something active that would allow our team to stay healthy and engage with each other outside of the usual work environment,” explains Angel Ogando, the police department’s wellness program designer. “An opportunity to do life outside of this building with all kinds of people.”

The idea stemmed from the desire to create intentional social and wellness opportunities for the department, says Angel, offering a break from the often challenging and stressful policework that can bog down the day to day. So they started a pickleball team and joined the Auburn Parks, Arts and Rec league.

They got demolished. Often and with impunity.

“A lot of people had a lot of fun watching that team get destroyed,” Angel admits with a laugh. But despite their early losses, the experience was a net positive. More department members were eager to join, and the team grew. First, in the beginner league, then two teams the following season, and then three teams the next. It was humble beginnings and before long, it was 23 members strong.

Members like Commander Shaun Feero, who was drawn to the sport’s competitive nature. He says its great exercise, a perfect outlet to relieve some stress, while being able to meet and interact with other members of the community.

“Being able to meet people who have different backgrounds and experiences, along with the ability to interact in a competitive manner, creates relationships that provide positive engagement within the community,” he says.

Parking Enforcement Officer Suzette Conner agrees. “I enjoy the comradery of playing with others in the community,” she says. “Getting to meet new people and make new friends was just a bonus while getting the exercise my body needed! This was my first time ever playing pickleball. I played tennis for 20 plus years. I thought this would be easy. Boy was I wrong. I had to learn the basics and am still learning. I see why it’s one of the fastest growing sports! I love it!”

That same sentiment goes for retirees like David Colglazier, who also shares a tennis background. He says the game is simply fun — and competitive.

“It’s fun to play and a great workout,” he says. “It also became an opportunity for me to remain connected with the department after retiring. I get to visit each week with players from the police department.”

Regular league play continued right along until it all culminated this year with the biggest achievement yet — the A-league team won it all.

“We were getting better,” Angel says. “And growing.”

What’s next is anyone’s guess. So far, the league commitments have been funded through a wellness grant that also paid for a pickleball clinic.

Angel says he knew it was all working when, despite the teasing and officers insisting they’re not into the sport, they’d come back again, and again, and again.

Looking ahead, Angel says the department is eager to continue in the league and work towards a back-to- back championship. From there, it could be a friendly competition with other agencies. Perhaps even Valley Regional Fire Authority.

“The influence is spreading,” he says. “All of the good tings that sport offers, we’re finding it here. We’re ready for whatever’s next.”