Friendly Kitchen Pickleball Charity Tournament: Dozens of players gathered on Sunday morning at Rolfe Park in Concord, New Hampshire, to play in a special pickleball tournament that raised funds for the Friendly Kitchen, a nonprofit serving free meals to those in need. The event brought together over 100 players of all ages and backgrounds.
The tournament was organized by Jonesy Rainsville, a long-time pickleball player and Friendly Kitchen staff member. She had hoped for a good turnout but was amazed when so many people signed up to participate.
A Sport for All Ages
Players arrived early, drying off wet courts before matches began. Despite the rain, excitement filled the park. Multiple games ran at once, filling the space with energy and fun.
“Definitely building community,”. “The beautiful thing about pickleball is it brings together people from all walks of life and people of all ages. Like, Ryan could be out there, he’s just a kid, he could be out there playing with a 75-year-old man and having a ball.”(Jonesy Rainsville)
Ryan Achong, a Bishop Brady High School tennis graduate and student at the University of New Hampshire, has played with Rainsville for years.
“I got to meet a lot of people. I mean, a lot of them are a lot older than me, maybe like 40, 50,”. “It’s fun because I get to play with my dad as well. It’s not just older people playing; my doubles partner I played with yesterday, he was in high school.”(Ryan Achong)
Why Pickleball Keeps Growing
Pickleball has quickly grown across the country. According to USA Pickleball, more than 68,000 courts now exist in the U.S., with 4,000 added in 2024 alone. Millions of people have tried the sport, and more young players are picking it up.
Pickleball is popular because it’s easy to learn, gentle on the body, and cheaper than other racket sports. The smaller court and simple gear make it more accessible for people of all ages. It also helps with fitness, balance, and coordination.
Supporting the Friendly Kitchen
The Friendly Kitchen’s manager, Sara Curran, said the tournament helped spread the word about their work. With sponsors and a raffle, the event raised money to continue feeding people in need.
“We’re putting our name out there and we’re telling people about what we do, but we’re also getting together a group of people who love to play as poor and then educating them on what The Friendly Kitchen does. So it’s a really neat community event,” (Sara Curran).
What Comes Next
This tournament was the first of its kind for the Friendly Kitchen and could become a yearly tradition. For players, it was a chance to have fun and support a good cause. For the community, it showed how sports can bring people together to help others.
News in Brief: Friendly Kitchen Pickleball Charity Tournament
A pickleball tournament at Rolfe Park in Concord raised funds for the Friendly Kitchen, drawing over 100 players of all ages. Organized by Jonesy Rainsville, the event combined fun and fundraising. Manager Sara Curran said the tournament helped both promote the nonprofit’s work and strengthen the local community.