For my physical activity in CAS, I chose Pickleball as my personal sport. Having never played it before, I decided to take it up as part of my fitness journey to build a routine that supports both my physical and mental health. Pickleball gave me the perfect opportunity to step out of my comfort zone, challenge myself, and create a healthy balance between academics and physical activity.

Through this experience, I was able to identify my own strengths and develop areas for growth (LO1). At the beginning, I struggled with the quick reflexes the game demands, especially when it came to coordination and control of the paddle. However, with practice, I recognized that my strength lay in my persistence and ability to stay motivated even when I found it difficult. Gradually, I noticed improvement in my agility and game sense, which gave me confidence to keep going.

Taking on pickleball as a new sport also meant undertaking challenges and developing new skills (LO2). From learning the rules of the game to improving my endurance and focus, I developed both physical and mental resilience. It pushed me to improve my fitness levels while also teaching me patience when I didn’t perform well initially.

Additionally, pickleball is not just about individual effort—it requires strong teamwork and communication, especially in doubles matches. By engaging with peers in friendly games and practice sessions, I was able to demonstrate the skills and benefits of working collaboratively (LO5). Playing with others helped me learn strategies, adapt to different playing styles, and build a sense of camaraderie on court.

Overall, pickleball has been a rewarding CAS activity as it not only strengthened my fitness but also taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, persistence, and balance. It reminded me that trying something new can lead to growth in unexpected ways, both personally and physically.