NFL Star’s Epic Return: Sea Isle City will once again play host to a summer spectacle as former Philadelphia Eagles star Connor Barwin returns for the second annual Make The World Better Pickleball Tournament this Saturday. The event, slated from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the courts on 42nd Place, promises a day of spirited competition and charitable giving.
Barwin, known for his impactful tenure with the Eagles and now a key figure in the team’s front office, founded the Make The World Better (MTWB) charity alongside his mother, Margaret Bailey, during his NFL career. The tournament, a statement to Barwin’s commitment to community and philanthropy, aims to raise funds for MTWB’s initiatives, which focus on creating accessible, high-quality spaces for communities to prosper.
The charity “believes that all communities prosper when all people have access to high-quality, accessible, fun places to gather,” according to the charity’s website.
Last year’s inaugural tournament was a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic participants and generating significant interest from sponsors and teams alike.
“After the inaugural smash hit of the summer last year, the demand for sponsors and teams for this year’s event has been so high, that we are sold out of individual teams and only have a few sponsorship opportunities left,” according to a Facebook post from MTWB.
The day’s festivities extend beyond the courts, with an after-party scheduled at Dockside on Park Place to celebrate the tournament’s achievements and further support MTWB’s mission. In the event of rain, organizers have scheduled a rain date for Sunday to ensure uninterrupted play and festivities.
Reflecting on the origins of MTWB, Barwin shared, “MTWB is an acronym for Make The World Better, but it’s also an acronym for my parents: Margaret and Thomas William Barwin. So, they inspired me to do this.”
Sea Isle City, a vibrant community known for its active involvement in charitable causes, eagerly anticipates another memorable day of sportsmanship and philanthropy. Joining Barwin at last year’s event were retired Eagles legend Jason Kelce and his wife Kylie, who have also made significant contributions to charitable efforts in the area.
The synergy between Barwin’s MTWB Pickleball Tournament and Jason Kelce’s “Team 62” fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Challenge shows the shared commitment of athletes to making a positive impact off the field. Jason Kelce’s annual event, scheduled later this month at Ocean Drive and O’Donnell’s Pour House, continues to draw support from across the community, including appearances from his brother Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
News in Brief : NFL Star’s Epic Return
As Sea Isle City prepares to welcome Barwin, participants, and supporters for a day of competitive spirit and goodwill, the stage is set for another successful outing in support of a cause that continues to make a difference in communities far and wide. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from what promises to be a highlight of the summer in Sea Isle City.
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