A new group, the Central Illinois Pickleball Club, held its kickoff event in Peoria on Saturday. Nearly 200 people attended, marking a strong start for the club’s mission to grow the sport in Greater Peoria and advocate for improvements to local pickleball facilities.
Passion for the Sport Drives New Club
The Central Illinois Pickleball Club aims to bring the community together through pickleball activities and events. The group plans to reach out to local park districts to improve courts and address the needs of pickleball players in the area.
Erin L’hommedieu-Neavor, the club’s Director of Community Relations, shared,
“So, we decided that we really had a passion for pickleball and a passion for bringing the community together. So, we developed a board, a 501c3 non-profit in which we are going to be organizing different activities.”(Erin L’hommedieu-Neavor)
Upcoming Events and Future Plans
The club has plans for several events throughout the year, with a focus on reaching beginners. If you missed the recent event, another opportunity to play will be next month.
Impact on the Local Community
The new club’s efforts are expected to expand pickleball’s presence in Central Illinois and help create more opportunities for people to get involved in the sport.
News in Brief: Central Illinois Pickleball Club
The Central Illinois Pickleball Club held its first event in Peoria with nearly 200 participants. The club, a 501c3 non-profit, plans to organize events and advocate for court improvements to grow the sport in Central Illinois. A beginner-focused event will be held next month.
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