MARBLEHEAD — In June 2024, Marblehead quietly made sports history — well, at least, according to Lisa Spinale, the Marblehead Pickleball League’s proud founder. She claims it’s the first official town pickleball league in all of Massachusetts.
The idea was born in sunny Boca Raton, where Spinale plays in a spirited league within the community. Inspired by the camaraderie, competition, and connection she experienced there, she brought the vision back home — trading palm trees for harbor breezes.
With the model in mind, Spinale submitted the required permits, including the field use application, insurance certificate, and play schedules. The league was approved with full, significant, and continued support from Marblehead Recreation and Park Department.
Spinale teamed up with Marblehead resident Lauren Andriano, a recent collaborator toward the “Fund the Field” fundraiser. Together, they spent the offseason thoughtfully designing the league’s format and structure, crafting inclusive rules and laying the groundwork for something that would grow and thrive.
What started as a grassroots idea quickly became a full-blown team effort. Kate Dinsmore stepped up to serve as co-coordinator with Spinale, helping lay the foundation for a fun, fair, and community-driven pickleball experience.
“I felt the passion in this town,” said Dinsmore, one of the league’s founding board members. “It just needed structure and leadership to grow into something bigger.”
Another founding board member, Tony Mongiello, brought a vision of longevity and sustainability to the project.
“The league concept fit really well with the organization’s mission, which is to promote the development and growth of pickleball in town,” he said.
Then came Charley Oberlender — the first brave soul to sign up.
From there, it snowballed, as session No. 1 sold out in just five hours.
A total of 84 players across three skill levels joined, eager to be part of something new, social, and fun. Session No. 1 ran for six weeks, followed by session No. 2 (another 84 players, many returning for more).
That same enthusiasm continued into 2025.
The league is powered by its captains — Tracy McClure, Alice Moynihan, Tony Mongiello, Nadine Simon, Scott Degrossiers, Kim Trudel, Jackie Polimeni, and Anne Tassel — each bringing energy, leadership, and spirit to the courts.
“Pickleball isn’t just a game — it’s a community, a passion, and a way of life in Marblehead,” said Tassel, a founding board member and constant champion of the league’s inclusive values.
According to many of its players, the league wouldn’t be possible without the time, energy, and heart the captains put in week after week. They encourage, organize, and communicate every step of the way.
Thanks to the Abbott Library, residents can even borrow complete four-player pickleball sets for up to two weeks — free with a library card. Most people already have the basics at home: court sneakers, athletic wear, towel, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Matches are played at Veterans School on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Bring a chair, grab a beverage, and come watch the fun.
The fun doesn’t stop when the league wraps Sept. 8. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 13 as the Marblehead Pickleball League is teaming up with TQM Wealth Management to host a pickleball fundraiser on the Veterans courts to benefit Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn.
