A pickleball tournament named “Rally for Hope” raised $5,000 for the June E. Nylen Cancer Centre on Saturday in the US, in honour of fellow picklers who have been through, or are currently undergoing, cancer treatment.A total of 31 teams competed at the tournament held in Siouxland, a tri-state area encompassing the northwest corner of Iowa, the northeast corner of Nebraska, and the southeast corner of South Dakota.
Players from all around the tri-state area signed up to compete in the event.The funds raised from the tournament will support those fighting cancer. “So many of us have friends and family that are on the cancer journey, and we wanted to support them, raise money for the June E. Nylen Cancer Centre, and show our support,” said one of the tournament’s co-organizers, Cheri Van Valkingburg.The funds were raised through registration fees, sponsorships, a silent auction, and a raffle – exceeding the tournament’s original fundraising goal.Earlier, Association of Pickleball Players (APP) and American Cancer Society (ACS) signed up a partnership to create Doubles Dink for Cancer and National Pickleball Challenge “to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”With pickleball gradually becoming one of the most popular recreational activities in America, its popularity has soared. It is now the fastest-growing sport in the United States, with organised competitions through the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball (MLP), and USA Pickleball serving as the sport’s official governing body in the country.Besides the professional level, pickleball has made significant progress at the grassroots level, now occupying 10 percent of USTA tennis courts. Across the Us, there are several expansive and dedicated pickleball facilities.The world’s largest pickleball facility – a 190,000-square-foot complex – is set to be built in Scottsdale, Arizona. The facility will feature 50 courts and a 1,200-seat championship arena, spanning a total of 11 acres.