YMCA Celebratesโค First-Ever National Pickleball Tournament, Sending Champions to U.S. Open
ORLANDO,โ FL -โ The YMCA of โthe USA โข(Y-USA) โconcluded its inaugural National Pickleball Tournament this weekend, bringing together over 600โค athletes from YMCAs across the โขcountry โขfor three days of โฃspirited competitionโค at a world-classโค facility. โDivision winners have earned direct entry into the 2026 U.S. Open Pickleball Championships.
The event underscores the YMCA’s โgrowing role in fostering community and healthy living through theโ rapidly expanding sport of pickleball. as participation โคin pickleball surges nationwide, the Y is uniquelyโข positioned to provide โคaccessible opportunities for connection, activity, and well-being for individuals of all ages โฃand backgrounds. This โtournament marks a significant step in the Y’s commitmentโ toโค expanding its sports and competitive โฃevents strategy.
“This event exemplified what makesโค the Y so special;โ bringing people together through sport, connection, and community,” statedโฃ Meredith Griffin, Directorโฃ of Sports andโข Competitive events Strategy, Y-USA.”We were thrilled to seeโ so many Y members come together from across the country to โcelebrate the joy andโฃ inclusivity of pickleball.”
Key highlights fromโ the tournament include:
* Participation fromโ overโ 600 athletes representing YMCAs nationwide.
*โ Three days of competitive play at a premier โsporting venue.
* direct qualification for division winners to the 2026 U.S.Open Pickleball Championships.
* Aโ exhibition of the Y’s dedication to promoting healthyโ lifestyles,belonging,and community engagement.
pickleball’s popularityโฃ continues โขto climb, attracting players of all ages with its blend of pleasant competition and social interaction. for YMCAs acrossโ the nation, the sport has become โฃa vitalโฃ tool for building relationships, encouraging physical activity, and fostering a thriving communityโ habitat.
Driven by its founding mission,the Y has been a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities for overโค 175 years.The organization empowers individuals from all walksโ of life by providing access to โessentialโค resources, โsupportive relationships, andโข opportunities for personal growth and development. By uniting people from diverse backgrounds, the Y strives toโ improve overall health andโ well-being.
