Pickleball for Mental Health Tournament: The 4th annual Pickleball for Mental Health tournament in Penticton raised $31,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association – South Okanagan Similkameen (CMHA-SOS). Held this past weekend, the event featured 217 players of all ages and skill levels competing for medals while supporting local mental health programs.
“We saw incredible growth this year — more players, more sponsors, more volunteer referees, and more spectators,”
said Leah Schulting, Executive Director of CMHA-SOS.
“This tournament continues to grow in popularity, and the community support has been truly heartwarming.”
Supporting Mental Health Programs
Funds from the tournament will directly benefit mental health programs in the community. This includes suicide prevention training, anger management classes, Mental Health First Aid, Unity Clubhouse programs, advocacy initiatives, and a meals program for people living with mental illness in Penticton.
CMHA-SOS thanked the Penticton Pickleball Club for its partnership and recognized sponsors who made the event possible. These included Skaha Hills, Parkers Chrysler, Stewart-Beaumont Investment Group, Everden Rust Funeral Home, Penticton Foundry, Bite Family Dental, Doane Grant Thornton LLP, Pickleball Depot, Cooler Trailers, Graphically Hip, and the City of Penticton.
Tournament Winners
Mixed Doubles:
3.0 (Any Age) Silver: Markus Quintero & Teresa Dingil
3.5 (55+) Gold: Ronna Pearson & Bill Pacheco; Silver: Lori Burgoyne & Jason Schubert; Bronze: Mary Wu & Curtis Hamilton
3.5 (60+) Gold: Helen Tidder & Steve Tidder; Bronze: Monica Weeks & Scott Meakins
4.0 (55+) Silver: Anita Marshall & Rick Marshall
4.5+ (Any Age) Silver: Megan Dorrington & Kham Douangpanya
Men’s Doubles:
3.0 (Any Age) Silver: Jim Cowden & Bob Dinel
3.5 (Any Age) Silver: Jason Schubert & Donovan Rogall
3.5 (55+) Gold: Gerald Watson; Silver: Lee Abel & Bill Pacheco
4.0 (55+) Silver: Barry Trembley & Bob Craig; Bronze: Laurent Banerd & Rick Marshall
4.5+ (Any Age) Gold: Gregory Machtaler
4.5+ (55+) Silver: Gord Barnes & Dave Burgoyne
Women’s Doubles:
3.0 (55+) Silver: Emilie Clare & Teresa Dingil; Bronze: Cornelia Castle & Wendy Shanks
3.5 (Any Age) Gold: Helen Tidder; Silver: Julie Cornett-Ching & Allison Henry
3.5 (55+) Gold: Michelle Trembley; Bronze: Karen Gallagher & Allison Schubert
3.5 (62+) Gold: Jane Trousdell & Monica Weeks; Silver: Sue Munro
4.0+ (55+) Gold: Lori Burgoyne & Anita Marshall
Community Impact
The tournament brought together athletes from across the region for friendly competition while raising awareness and funds for mental health. CMHA-SOS hopes the event will continue to grow, providing both sport and support for years to come.
News in Brief: Pickleball for Mental Health Tournament
The 4th annual Pickleball for Mental Health tournament in Penticton raised $31,000 for CMHA-SOS. A total of 217 players competed in mixed, men’s, and women’s doubles. Funds will support local mental health programs. Winners included Ronna Pearson, Bill Pacheco, Helen Tidder, and Michelle Trembley among others.
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