Kearney Parks and Recreation is bringing pickleball back to the courts this fall with league options for both youth and adult players, including the department’s first youth pickleball league.

The new youth league is open to players ages 11 to 18 and will run Saturday mornings from 9 am to noon, Sept. 12 through Oct. 10. The five-week session is designed for individual players, meaning participants do not need to sign up with a partner. Instead, players will be matched with a different partner each week, earning points based on their weekly match results.

Participants can expect two to three matches each week, with the final Saturday reserved for tournament play.

Registration for the youth league is open through Sunday, Sept. 6, and the cost is $40 for the full session.

The fall adult league also returns this season, with play beginning the week of Sept. 7. Adult league matches will be held on weeknights from 6 to 11 pm at the Kearney Pickleball Complex, 619 E. 19th Street. The season will include six weeks of league play followed by a seventh-week double-elimination tournament.

Competitive divisions will play three matches per night, with all divisions scheduled on courts 1 through 8 at the complex. League options include beginner, advanced beginner, social and advanced social divisions, giving players a range of choices based on experience and playing style.

The beginner league is intended for true beginners looking to learn the game through play, while advanced beginners are geared toward players who pick up movement skills quickly. Social divisions are designed for beginner to intermediate players seeking a fun, lightly competitive setting, and advanced social divisions are for skilled players who want a relaxed league atmosphere.

Adult league registration is open through Sunday, Aug. 30, with a $50 registration fee. The minimum age is 18 for most divisions and 12 for social divisions. In mixed divisions, teams may include two female players or one male and one female player.

Additional division days and times are available under the “More Info” tab on the registration page at KearneyParks.com.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.