A three-day Langley City pickleball event raised a record $25,205.97 for learning assessments at Douglas Park Community School.
A cheque was presented Tuesday morning.
Langley Pickleball players raised more than $25,000 to help fund learning assessments, primarily for autism, for kids in need at Douglas Park Community School. pic.twitter.com/CbV5sgR9Op
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 10, 2024
Running from July 4-7, organizers estimated the fourth annual Douglas Park Pickleball charity tournament, which is believed to be the largest pickleball tournament in the Lower Mainland, drew more than 230 players.
That was up from the 2023 edition, which saw 180 players take part, and raised $20,062 for the Douglas Park Community School Society.
Pickleball, a combination of tennis and badminton, with squared-off rackets and a hollow plastic ball, was was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Washington by future congressman and state lieutenant governor Joel Pritchard and two of his friends, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell.
When the trio couldn't find the shuttlecock for a badminton court, they used table tennis paddles with different types of balls, and lowered the net.
There are conflicting accounts about where the name came from, with claims it was chosen by a spouse, or named after a pet, or because one of the creators enjoyed hitting the ball in a way that would put an opponent “in a pickle.”
READ ALSO: An ‘addictive’ sports draws devotees to Langley City Park
READ ALSO: In two years, a Langley Pickleball club has gone from 25 to 150 members. Here’s why.
