A charity pickleball tournament will take place at Cambie Secondary School this Saturday, January 18. The event, organized by Cambie students, will raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. The public is invited to watch, buy raffle tickets for prizes, and enjoy the concession stand.
Tournament Background
The “Play for Hope” tournament is in its third year. Cambie Secondary teacher Linda Wong sponsors the event. Though she stressed the word “fun,” she acknowledged that the tournament can get competitive. The event was first held in 2023, organized by two Grade 12 students. This year, Maya Parmar and Alexandra Mejia took on leadership roles, with Wong’s encouragement.
Personal Connections to the Cause
Parmar and Mejia are both personally invested in the tournament’s cause. Parmar, whose grandfather is battling cancer, feels the event brings her closer to him. For Mejia, the tournament honors her grandfather, who passed away from pancreatic cancer.
Wong has been affected by cancer as well. She has lost three sisters to the disease and has been involved with the Canadian Cancer Society for over 30 years. “It was nice to do this (tournament) to bring together the students, my school and my passion for pickleball as well as to fundraise for the Canadian Cancer Society,” she said.
Growing the Event
Last year’s event raised $8,500, and this year’s goal is to raise $10,000. Wong, Parmar, and Mejia have worked together with around 30 volunteers to make the event a success. The tournament has become a part of the growing pickleball community, which Parmar and Mejia have enjoyed being part of. “It’s a great community… we really enjoyed it even though we weren’t that good at pickleball,” said Mejia.
Raffle and Concession Stand
The public can watch the tournament, which includes both women’s and men’s round-robin and playoff matches. Women’s games will start in the morning, with the playoff match around 11:30 a.m. The men’s games will follow in the afternoon, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Raffle tickets will be available for a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses, including Trail Appliances, Richmond artist John Beatty, and Steveston Seafood House. The raffle will close at 3 p.m. Concession stands will also offer treats for sale.
Tournament Details and Wall of Hope
The event will have 96 contestants, all of whom have already signed up. Those participating can also make dedications to loved ones on the “Wall of Hope.” Dave Yan, vice-president of the Richmond B.C. Pickleball Association, will help run the tournament.
Significance and Future Goals
This charity tournament is more than just a game; it’s an important fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society, as well as a way to honor loved ones affected by cancer. With strong support from the community, the Play for Hope tournament is expected to continue to grow and help raise funds for the fight against cancer.
News In Brief: Charity Pickleball Tournament
Cambie Secondary students are organizing the third annual “Play for Hope” pickleball tournament on January 18 to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. The pickleball event, featuring women’s and men’s matches, includes a raffle and concession stand. Last year, the tournament raised $8,500, with a goal of $10,000.
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