No Big Dill Pickleball Tournament: The Niagara-on-the-Lake Pickleball Club (NOTL) hosted its “No Big Dill” tournament at the NOTL Community Centre, emphasizing camaraderie and fun. The pickleball event catered to a mix of players— social and competitive—offering a relaxed atmosphere designed to encourage participation across all skill levels.
“The Niagara-on-the-Lake Pickleball Club has grown so big. We wanted a fun social scramble to encourage new members to come in and try these events. We have tournament-minded players and we have those that come for fun.” – (tournament chairperson Kim Dunne-Robbins)
“A lot of people get tense about the word tournament, so we wanted to host a fun, fast-paced social where everyone’s moving and mixing, to get them on the court and meet new friends. It was also a chance to reconnect with old friends who we haven’t played with in a while.” – (Kim Dunne-Robbins)
Pickle-Themed Format Draws Praise
Players rotated through courts with playful names like “gherkin,” “bread and butter,” and “cucumber patch.” Top players advanced to the “big dill” court, while those eliminated continued to enjoy the lighter atmosphere on lower courts.
- Court Names: Themed to add humor and engagement.
- Music: Played throughout to reduce competitive tension.
- Participation: Players mixed frequently, ensuring inclusivity.
Lorraine Laliberte, one of the participants, said,
“The best part was the camaraderie, with a really great bunch of people. I’ve been playing a long time and this is a good game.” – (Lorraine Laliberte)
“The theme was hysterical. There’s the “big dill” that’s the top court, that’s where all the really good people get to play, and then when you lose, you move on down to the other ones (the gherkins and bread and butter courts) and after that, you end up in the cucumber patch.” – (Lorraine Laliberte)
“I’ve been there. That’s where you get to cheer and snicker and have a little fun and encourage people to play.” – (Lorraine Laliberte)
Memorable Moments and Laughter
Dave Dailly, who spent much of his time on the cucumber patch court, humorously referred to himself as the “Mayor.” Reflecting on the event, he said,
“I was there so often that I was nicknamed the Mayor. All in good fun. Thanks to the organizers and my fellow players for a fun and entertaining event.” – (Dave Dailly)
The tournament was such a hit that it sold out within days. Participants shared glowing feedback, praising the relaxed environment and the creative use of pickle-themed puns.
“lots of fun, lots of laughter. We’ve had good feedback. We played music to lower any stress. When we turn on the music, people forget they’re in a competition.” – (Dunne-Robbins)
“You’re moving from the cucumber patch all the way to the big dill court.” – (Dunne-Robbins)
Looking Ahead
While the pickleball tournament was deemed a success, organizers plan to make small adjustments for future events.
“We’ve learned from this weekend. We might tweak some things, but throughout the year we’re going to have a variety of social activities like scrambles and maybe more competitive tournaments for the players who want to be a little more competitive.” – (Dunne-Robbins)
News in Brief: No Big Dill Pickleball Tournament
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Pickleball Club’s “No Big Dill” tournament created a lively, inclusive event for players of all levels. Held at the NOTL Community Centre, the sold-out event featured themed courts, music, and social games that fostered friendship.
Participants praised the relaxed atmosphere and creative format. Organizers plan to host more events throughout the year, blending social and competitive options.
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