Women’s Pickleball Open in Columbus: Columbus, Ohio, is gearing up for a historic event this weekend—the first-ever Women’s Open pickleball tournament! With pickleball rapidly growing in popularity, the buzz surrounding this tournament is noticeable. Fans, players, and families are expected to flock to the city to witness this groundbreaking occasion that highlights the sport’s remarkable ascent in recent years.
A Historical Perspective
“Pickleball as a whole has really exploded,” Dan explained.
“It was actually founded as a sport in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the early 2020s, particularly during the pandemic, that we saw exponential growth in participation.”-(dan)
Tournament Details and Schedule
The Women’s Open tournament will be held at Pickle and Chill, the largest pickleball facility in the Midwest, located at 880 W. Henderson Road. Matches are set from Friday to Sunday, with play times from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Shannon Dan encourages fans to come watch the exciting gold medal matches on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m., when the competition will be at its best.
Growth and Participation
While this marks the first Women’s Open, the APP has made significant strides in driving tournament play and participation.
“There is definitely an appetite for tournament play and for participation in the APP tour.”-(Dan)
Empowering Young Women Through Pickleball
This tournament is exclusive to women, aiming to inspire a new generation of female athletes. A group of 100 high school and college-aged girls has been invited to experience pickleball firsthand, highlighting the sport’s social, physical, and mental benefits. Dan emphasizes that pickleball is one of the most equitable sports across genders. Drawing from her experience with the WNBA, she likens its growth to the early days of women’s professional basketball.
“Part of the beauty of pickleball, and frankly, one of the reasons I got involved in the business side of the sport, is that it has been truly equitable from its inception.”-(Dan)
“Women play side by side with men, get equal exposure, equal pay, equal opportunity. It really brings that to the forefront and elevates women even more.”-(dan)
News in Brief: Women’s Pickleball Open in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio, is hosting its first Women’s Open pickleball tournament this weekend at Pickle and Chill, the biggest facility in the Midwest. Since 2020, pickleball participation has increased by over 10 million players, as noted by Shannon Dan from the Association of Pickleball Players.
Sponsored by Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital, this tournament features professional and amateur events for women, aiming to inspire young female athletes. Don’t miss the gold medal matches on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m.
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