Delta Pickleball Association Charity Tournament: More than 100 players in Delta celebrated National Pickleball Day on Saturday, August 9, with a tournament that raised $1,260 for the Delta Community Animal Shelter. The event, hosted by the Delta Pickleball Association at Cromie Park in Ladner, also highlighted the sport’s growing popularity.
A Community Celebration
Nearly 140 players took part in the association’s first Dream Maker Round Robin tournament. The competition followed a “Major League Pickleball” format, where players of different skill levels teamed up and competed with balanced matchups.
“[The format] was especially beneficial to players who had little or no experience with tournaments,” Delta Pickleball Association president Landon Kitagawa said in an email.
After the games, participants and volunteers shared lunch and enjoyed a “folding chair” social. “We believe that it was the largest National Pickleball Day event in Canada,” Landon Kitagawa added.
Supporting Local Needs
The $1,260 raised from entry fees was donated to the Delta Community Animal Shelter, which helps more than 800 animals every year. Earlier this summer, the association also hosted its third annual Dash ‘n’ Smash tournament at Chalmers Park in North Delta. That event drew almost 250 players and raised $340, along with food donations for the South Delta Food Bank.
Pickleball’s Rapid Growth
“It’s amazing how fast the sport is growing,” Landon Kitagawa said in a past release. “Less than 10 years ago, our club started with about 20 members. Today, we’re [over] 900, making us one of the largest pickleball clubs in Canada, and certainly one of the biggest sports organizations in Delta.”
Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in North America, with participation increasing by more than 300 percent in the last three years. Kitagawa credits its success to being easy to learn, affordable, healthy, and social.
“I hear every day how much people love the game, but also the community that has formed around it. People have found a reason to get off the couch, be active and engage socially with others,” Kitagawa said.
Looking Ahead
The Delta Pickleball Association aims to grow the sport by offering lessons, player development, and organized play until October each year. It also works with government partners to support court access and growth of pickleball in the community. The group continues to welcome new members.
News in Brief: Delta Pickleball Association Charity Tournament
The Delta Pickleball Association hosted its first Dream Maker Round Robin tournament on August 9 at Cromie Park, raising $1,260 for the Delta Community Animal Shelter. Nearly 140 players participated. The club, now with over 900 members, is one of Canada’s largest and continues to support community growth through tournaments and lessons.
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