Pickleball for Mental Health tournament in Penticton a smashing success – Penticton News

Photo: Monique Tamminga

The third annual Penticton Pickleball for Mental Health Tournament was a smashing success with more players registering than there were courts available to play at the Seniors Drop In Centre Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.

“It’s been so fantastic. The weather is the best we’ve had and the amount of support and sponsors just exceeded expectations,” said Leah Schulting, executive director of Canadian Mental Health Association (CHMA) – South Okanagan Similkameen branch.

“We have more players than ever coming from all over B.C. When we started this tournament we had 135 players, then 159 last year to 190 this time. We would have more but we only have six courts. Next year we’ll have more courts so we can have more age groups which we really love.”

The funds raised through registration fees goes towards mental health programs and services in the South Okanagan and Similkameen that are offered through the CMHA. These services include the Unity Clubhouse that is open seven days a week and has a meals program for those diagnosed with mental illness.

It also funds suicide prevention treatment and first aid training.

“We also have a mental health advocate who is available five days a week with one-on-one appointments serving the whole South Okanagan and Similkameen,” said Schulting.

Last year, the tournament raised over $35,000 but Schulting is hoping to smash that amount.

Participants came from as far as Tofino and Prince George and range in age from 15 to 80 to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals.

The tournament spreads awareness of mental health and reduces stigma, she added.

It’s also an economic boon for the city.

“This tournament is bringing in a lot of money for Penticton. Not only are the players staying in hotels but referees that are volunteering are spending money on dining out,” said Schulting.

On Saturday, a father and his Grade 9 son from Kelowna won their division and took gold on the podium.

While pickleball was popular for older generations, younger people are one of the largest growing demographics in the sport, said members of the Penticton Pickleball Club.

Take for example Hugo, 15, and his brother Zephyr Pickell, 17, from Okanagan Falls who played in a 3.0 level on Sunday.

The brothers got the pickleball fever when they started playing with their grandparents in Penticton.

At the tournament they were wearing ‘The Brine’ pickleball jerseys and said they are helping support their grandparents’ friends that are looking to open an indoor pickleball facility in Penticton that will also sell customized paddles and apparel.

“They asked if we wanted to go in this tournament and we thought it would be fun,” said Hugo.

Dianne Hill has been a volunteer referee and one of the main organizers of the referees for all three years of the fundraising event.

“It’s a great cause and a lot of fun for the players,” said Hill, who was on the board of the Penticton Pickleball Club when they partnered with CHMA to start this event.

“It just keeps growing and we are happy to be part of it.”