Pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport in the nation. Northwest Kentucky FCA wants to join the fun by hosting its inaugural Pickleball tournament to raise funds for its organization.
Organizer Laura McCain said FCA aims to support coaches and athletes, especially in the mission of Christ. They’ve already seen the success of pickleball locally, so they wanted to use the chance to gather some of the players and have a good fellowship.
“We personally love it. We knew that if we could run it, we could get a well-oiled machine going, and it would promote itself. People absolutely love the sport. It’s quick, it’s fast, it’s social, it’s strategic. It has all the things,” she said.
Though the group has received over 70 registrations, McCain said they want to cap the registration somewhere between 125 and 150.
The one-day August 10 tournament will be played at the Owensboro Country Club starting at 8:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. It is a doubles tournament, so people can sign up without a partner if they do not have one in mind.
The tournament will be divided into categories based on players’ skill level and gender. There will be three competitions for both genders: beginners, defined as players rated 2.9 and below; intermediates, defined as players rated 3.0 to 3.9; and advanced, defined as players 4.0 rated and above.
Area Director Jeff Moran said they are opening the registrations to anyone in the 9-county service area for FCA Northwest Kentucky. Because of the natural camaraderie that pickleball brings to players, Moran said he’s hopeful the event will continue the mission forward of connecting people.
“We can share what FCA is doing, how God is using FCA in our area, and the difference that it’s making in the lives of athletes and coaches in the schools,” Moran said.
McCain said the tournament will hopefully return as a mainstay fundraiser for the organization. FCA typically finds funds through private donations and not grants, so the cost of playing will help fund its mission.
“It’s fulfilling our mission while raising money for it. We don’t get any grants, so it goes to support all of the work our staff or anyone that we would ever add would have to be privately funded. So everything that you know this is extremely important,” McCain said.
Moran said the organization has found support from other businesses and organizations in the area, especially from sponsors like Country Club and Advanced Orthopedics, in addition to the support of individuals.
“I’m discovering that FCA has made a difference in several other people’s lives, which has made a huge difference in my life. The more people who have heard about this event or know that FCA is active and doing ministry, the more people will talk about the difference, and we’ll be able to pour into other people,” Moran said.
To register for the tournament, click here.
