Niagara Falls Hosts FUNDERBALL 2025: Niagara Falls will host the inaugural FUNDERBALL pickleball fundraiser on February 22, 2025, aiming to support local marathon runner Michael Seliske’s dream of competing in the London Marathon. Proceeds from the event will also benefit Shaftesbury Group, a UK-based charity assisting individuals with disabilities.
Organizers are thrilled by the diverse group of participants registering for the event, which is set to take place at Tennis Clubs of Canada’s “Bubble” on Kalar Road. Players of all skill levels, from beginners to competitive 4.0 athletes, will take part.
“We have attracted people from all levels of skill experience from complete pickleball virgins to highly competitive 4.0 players. The interest has been overwhelmingly positive from a broad group of player ability and geographic areas.” – (Karen Seliske, co-organizer)
A Fundraiser with a Purpose
The primary goal of FUNDERBALL 2025 is to raise funds to help Michael Seliske, a Niagara-born marathon runner, achieve his dream of running in the London Marathon. In addition, the event will provide financial support to Shaftesbury Group, a charity focused on assisting individuals with disabilities.
Several participants are drawn to the event because of its charitable focus. Marilyn Abbs, a Para Athlete and current wheelchair tennis competitor, expressed her enthusiasm for the sport and the cause.
“Over 15% of the world’s population identifies with some form of a disability, and it is a group that you can suddenly become a part of at any point in your life. There is no age group, no ethnicity, or place of origin that does not already have someone who lives with a disability. Since I love pickleball and the event proceeds are going to support people with disabilities, I felt compelled to participate.” – (Marilyn Abbs)
Morgan Cooper, founder of Community Connect in Port Colborne, is also bringing a team to the event. Community Connect is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities engage with their communities.
“Pickleball is one of the activities that Community Connect offers so FUNDERBALL is very appealing to us. We are bringing a group of at least five players and several volunteers to join in the fun.” – (Morgan Cooper)
Widespread Interest and Social Media Buzz
Beyond attracting a wide range of skill levels, FUNDERBALL has also gained interest from players across different regions. Rachel Friedmann, a pickleball enthusiast from Owen Sound, discovered the event online and was immediately intrigued.
“I recently heard about this super awesome and fun sounding event while searching online for Ontario pickleball events. I am quite hooked on this crazy sport and want to get out more this year, meet more people in the pickleball community, hopefully improve my game and gain new skills. I’m super excited!” – (Rachel Friedmann)
The event’s social media presence has sparked international engagement, with posts receiving likes and shares from global pickleball groups such as Women’s Pickleball Group, The Pickleball System, Better Pickleball, Nike Pickleball Sports Camps, and the Algarve Pickleball Group.
Unique Pickleball Challenges and Activities
FUNDERBALL promises to be more than just a tournament. The event will feature unique and fun pickleball-related challenges, including dinking-only games, reverse-score matches (where hitting the ball into the net resets the score to zero), rotating partners, serve-to-the-hoop contests, and pickleball trivia.
Participants will also have the chance to earn points toward prizes, with extra points awarded for the best pickleball-themed attire.
Following the event, a social gathering will take place at Blackburn Brew House, allowing participants to celebrate and connect with fellow players.
Anticipated Impact
FUNDERBALL 2025 is expected to bring together a diverse group of pickleball players while supporting meaningful causes. The event not only encourages community engagement but also raises awareness for people with disabilities through its fundraising efforts.
With broad interest and enthusiastic participation, organizers hope FUNDERBALL will become an annual event, continuing to support charitable initiatives and fostering inclusivity in sports.
News in Brief: Niagara Falls Hosts FUNDERBALL 2025
FUNDERBALL 2025, set for February 22 in Niagara Falls, will support marathon runner Michael Seliske’s London Marathon dream while raising funds for Shaftesbury Group. The pickleball event has attracted players of all skill levels and gained social media traction. Featuring unique challenges and a fun atmosphere, FUNDERBALL promises an exciting day for a great cause.
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