Children from Long Beach’s Westside Boys and Girls Club recently played pickleball for the first time, thanks to a generous donation of 3,000 yellow pickleballs from Qranc, a company based in San Clemente. The event took place at the Sports Basement store, where the kids enjoyed learning a new sport.
Excitement in the Air
As the kids engaged in the game, their enthusiasm was palpable. “I didn’t know I’d like this so much,” said a 10-year-old girl, while an 11-year-old boy added, “I had a blast playing.” This positive reception highlights pickleball’s potential to attract young players.
Building Community Partnerships
Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach, expressed gratitude for Qranc’s support.
“This is the first time we’ve received a donation of pickleballs.” – (Don Rodriguez)
“We are so grateful to Qranc for their incredible generosity. It’s giving our kids the chance to try something completely new, which is invaluable. It’s exciting because it’s something they’ve never played before, and we’re always looking for ways to expand their experiences.” – (Don Rodriguez)
Qranc co-founder Parker Marquis explained that the company aims to give back to the communities where its founders grew up.
“(Pickleball is) a unifying sport for players of all ages, and we want to contribute to that experience. The partnership with the Long Beach B&G Clubs allows us to accelerate the promise of our mission to increase access to the sport.” – (Parker Marquis)
“(Pickleball is) a unifying sport for players of all ages,” he stated, emphasizing their commitment to expanding access to the game.
Future Plans for Pickleball
With no dedicated pickleball courts yet, the Boys and Girls Clubs will set up temporary courts and train staff to introduce the game. Rodriguez plans to involve 20 to 30 kids initially, with hopes of expanding as interest grows.
He mentioned the possibility of organizing a tournament in the future, stating,
“That’s the goal. We’d love to develop teams once the kids get comfortable with the game. A tournament is definitely something we’d like to see in the future, and Sports Basement has already said they would love to help us.” – (Rodriguez)
Impact of the Donation
Rodriguez is thrilled with Qranc’s donation, which he believes will provide a lasting resource for the clubs.
“They will be used across all of our locations, so it’s great to have such a large supply.” – (Rodriguez)
He is now focused on acquiring pickleball paddles to ensure all kids have the equipment needed to play. With the excitement surrounding pickleball, Rodriguez believes it could quickly become a favorite activity among club members.
“I can tell by the excitement of these kids that word will spread to others. It’s a fun, fast-paced game, and I can see it becoming a favorite.” – (Rodriguez)
News in Brief: Westside Boys and Girls Club
Children from Long Beach’s Westside Boys and Girls Club recently experienced pickleball for the first time, thanks to Qranc’s donation of 3,000 yellow pickleballs. The pickleball event at Sports Basement sparked excitement, with kids expressing their enjoyment.
CEO Don Rodriguez praised Qranc’s support, emphasizing plans to set up temporary courts and train staff, aiming for future tournaments and broader participation in the sport.
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