Gavin Manders Advocates for Pickleball: Gavin Manders claimed victories in singles and doubles at the Pickle & Chill Jamaica Christmas Pickleball Tournament in Kingston. Manders, 38, defeated Brandon Tom 11-2, 11-7 in singles and partnered with Joel Azhar to overcome Derek Walcott and Kobi Stiebel in the doubles competition.
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A Successful Festive Competition
The tournament was held during the Christmas period and attracted top Jamaican players. Manders, a former Davis Cup player and the national director of the Pickleball Association Bermuda competed in the elite category, showcasing his skills and preparation for future regional competitions.
“It was a big tournament in Kingston over the Christmas period, where I got to play against the best players from Jamaica,”. “I played in the elite, where I won the singles and the doubles.”(Manders told The Royal Gazette)
Preparation for the Caribbean Championships
The event also served as a warm-up for the Caribbean Pickleball Championships, scheduled for February 6 to 9 in the Cayman Islands. Manders used the tournament to gauge his competition and refine his game ahead of the regional championship.
“It was definitely a spectacular experience,”. “It was good to test the skills against the best in Jamaica, connect and network to see how they do things over there.”(Gavin Manders)
Building the Sport in the Region
Manders emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in growing pickleball in the Caribbean. He noted that competing at events like this helps solidify his status and opens opportunities for cross-border cooperation in promoting the sport.
“For me, it’s always great to compete and solidify my status as one of the better players in the region,”. “It’s also important to help the different countries in the region to start helping each other grow the sport, and see how we can work together for the next generation.”(Gavin Manders)
Significance of the Tournament
Manders’ victories highlight his readiness for the upcoming Caribbean Pickleball Championships and underscore his role in fostering regional growth of the sport. His success in Jamaica reflects his dedication to pickleball and his vision for advancing it throughout the Caribbean.
News in Brief: Gavin Manders Advocates for Pickleball
Gavin Manders won singles and doubles at the Pickle & Chill Jamaica Christmas Pickleball Tournament, defeating top Jamaican players. The event served as preparation for the Caribbean Pickleball Championships in February. Manders emphasized regional collaboration to grow pickleball and strengthen its future across the Caribbean through such competitions.
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