Pickleball takes NEU by storm: about 10 classes filled up in a few hours

Pickleball classes at the National Economics University (NEU) were fully booked just hours after registration opened. This sport, which first appeared in the physical education program, will be taught from the first semester of the 2025-2026 school year, as part of a group of 12 elective subjects. Due to limited playing fields, the school has only opened about 10 classes for students to experience.

NEU officially includes Pickleball in the 2025-2026 program

According to Master Pham Duc Cuong, Head of the Physical Education Department, Pickleball is an experimental course but “received a response far beyond expectations”. He said: “As soon as we opened it, students signed up. Due to limited playgrounds, the school has only opened about 10 classes for students to experience first”.

Pickleball is currently on the list of 12 elective physical education subjects at NEU. Explaining its appeal, Mr. Cuong said: “Compared to volleyball or basketball, Pickleball is easier to play and helps exercise the whole body. After stressful hours of studying, just one Pickleball session is enough to help students relieve stress, both fun and healthy.” According to him, safety is ensured thanks to careful warm-up and systematic instruction, helping to minimize the risk of injury.

From club to ecosystem: NEU standardizes training and competition

Master Vu Xuan Tinh – the pioneer who brought Pickleball to NEU – said that this sport is “very popular in the world, suitable for many ages”. “As soon as the class was announced, students registered for it in just a few hours. They were eager to hold the racket and ball to try how interesting this sport is”, he said.

To develop the movement, NEU has sent lecturers to attend professional coaching and refereeing courses. The NEU Pickleball Club has been operating for more than a year; the student team has won many prizes at tournaments in Hanoi. “We not only teach techniques, but also aim to train reflexes, endurance and team spirit. Pickleball is not just a sport - but a way of living a healthy and happy life for today's students,” said Mr. Tinh.

Students: from "strange subject" to "hot subject"

For many students, Pickleball quickly became a “national sport”. Dam Thi Phuong Linh (K67, Faculty of Planning and Development) shared: “At first, I thought Pickleball was difficult, but when I played it, I found it very fun. This sport is light, easy to understand, and has a high team spirit”. Another student said that it only took three sessions to master the basic techniques, and because the field is small, it “takes much less effort than playing soccer or volleyball”.

Widespread trend and documented health benefits

Not only NEU, Da Nang University of Physical Education and Sports has also included Pickleball in its regular training program from the 2025-2026 school year. In addition, the related article cites research from Saint Louis University (USA) showing that people who play Pickleball at least 3 times a week have higher levels of happiness and mental health than those who do not play regularly.

Notable numbers

• Applicable time: Semester I, school year 2025-2026 (NEU).
• Initial scale: about 10 classes due to limited space.
• Place in program: 1 of 12 physical education electives.
• Movement ecosystem: The club has been operating for more than a year; the team has won many prizes at tournaments in Hanoi.
• Spread: Danang University of Physical Education and Sports will include Pickleball in regular training from 2025-2026.

Conclude

NEU’s inclusion of Pickleball in the curriculum – and the fact that slots sell out in a matter of hours – demonstrates the appeal of an accessible, safe and engaging sport. From classes to clubs and competitions, Pickleball is shaping students’ new exercise habits, with a standardized professional foundation and positive signals for mental health.