Ava Weissman Pickleball Generations Project: Ava Weissman, a high school student from Parkland, Florida, started a nonprofit called Pickleball 4 a Purpose in 2024 to fight loneliness among seniors and connect people from different generations. Through fun tournaments across the U.S. and beyond, young and older players team up to enjoy the growing sport of pickleball and build lasting friendships.
Ava, a rising senior at American Heritage School, was inspired to launch the initiative after playing pickleball with her grandmother, Sharon, in the Florida sun. This personal moment sparked the idea to use pickleball to connect youth and seniors through organized tournaments.
“We’re always trying to be outside as much as we can,” said Ava Weissman. “So, we decided to play pickleball together, and it was such a unique and amazing experience where I got to personally connect with my grandma in a way that I never had before. I wanted to share that connection with others.”
Connecting Young and Old Through Pickleball
Pickleball 4 a Purpose hosts tournaments where participants under 21 are paired with adults over 60 based on shared interests. The players don’t know each other beforehand. They register individually, and each team competes in a round-robin tournament. Winners receive prizes, and funds raised go to youth or senior charities.
The first tournament happened in September 2024. Since then, the program has expanded to 14 chapters worldwide and raised over $30,000. Chapters exist in cities such as Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and internationally in Ecuador and Puerto Rico, with more planned in Brazil.
“I like to [tell] the story of me biking to local stores, just trying to pitch the latest tournament to sponsors,” said Ava Weissman.
In a February event at the Diadem Pickleball Complex in Florida, Ava saw the power of these connections in action. Two participants, Laura and Shirley, were paired because they shared a love for theater. One had played before, the other was new. They now meet regularly to play and spend time with each other’s families.
“All of the pictures we have of them laughing and smiling and today they meet every other week to play pickleball with each other,” said Ava Weissman.
Tackling Loneliness with Purpose
The project is about more than sports. Ava hopes to reduce loneliness, especially among seniors, which the U.S. Surgeon General has called an epidemic.
“Without this youth connection, they felt very isolated,” said Ava, recalling her experience volunteering in senior homes. “So, I thought that the only way to end this isolation was to create connections.”
“Nowadays, with social media, kids are so consumed with their phones that they don’t see the full picture of trying to connect with other people.”
She believes pickleball is perfect for this mission because it’s easy to learn and enjoyed by all ages.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to bring everything together,” said Ava Weissman.
Growth Fueled by Connections
The nonprofit’s growth has been fast, thanks to Ava’s networking skills. She used events like Model United Nations to meet like-minded teens and share her idea. To make it easy for others to start new chapters, she created a simple playbook using Canva. This guide helps chapter leaders plan and run their own events.
“In business, connections are what lead you to where you want to be. They are the doorway to success,” said Ava Weissman.
Each chapter has a student leader, and there is also a national team. About 40 to 50 student volunteers help with planning and event support. Ava is working on adding a senior advisory board to include more perspectives.
One of her closest team members is Bianca, vice president of the organization. Bianca brought film and media into the events, documenting matches and creating content for social media and local news outreach.
“She gives me that fresh perspective of the creative film aspect that I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t have her,” said Ava Weissman.
Plans for the Future
The next big tournament will be held on September 29, 2025, in South Florida. The group hopes to raise $10,000 for the Florida Council of Aging. The check will be presented on August 6.
Ava recently attended Wharton’s Leadership in the Business World summer program at the University of Pennsylvania. There, she spoke with peers and professors about her nonprofit and received advice on how to grow it further.
“Leadership in the Business World gave me the opportunity to do so,” said Ava Weissman. “I’ve never been around such a great group of kids [where] I felt like I belonged.”
Challenges and Resilience
Getting sponsors was tough at first. As a 17-year-old, Ava had to build trust with local businesses to support her cause.
“The hardest part was getting people to trust the message,” said Ava Weissman. “But I think that also gets easier as you progress.”
Thanks to her persistence, Pickleball 4 a Purpose is now a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making it easier to attract support.
“Perseverance is probably one of the closest traits that I hold to myself,” said Ava Weissman.
Ava plans to hand over leadership of the group to another student when she starts college, but she will remain involved.
“Creating even more connections for that student and to continue the cycle. I think that’s the power of any business — inspiring others as well.”
Her grandmother, Sharon, still attends events and brings her friends, continuing to support the mission that started with their shared time on the court.
A Passion Beyond Playing
Though Ava organizes pickleball tournaments, she doesn’t often play in them. She says her grandma and most players are better than her.
“I don’t think I’ve ever beaten one of the people in the tournaments… my grandma also kicks my butt too,” she laughed.
In a quick round of questions, Ava revealed a few more fun facts about herself:
She once ran a sneaker business at age 12.
She got her copy of Grit signed by Angela Duckworth.
She binge-watches Love Island.
Her dream talk show guest would be Oprah, asking: “How did you overcome all of the barriers to get to where you are?”
News in Brief: Ava Weissman Pickleball Generations Project
Ava Weissman, a Florida teen, founded Pickleball 4 a Purpose in 2024 to connect young and old through sport. With 14 global chapters, the nonprofit tackles loneliness and builds friendships across generations through tournaments. A major event is planned for September 29 in South Florida.
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