The proceeds support local mental health programs including Mental Health First Aid and the Unity Clubhouse
The fourth annual Pickleball for Mental Health tournament in Penticton saw over 200 competitors rally, and score, $31,000 in fundraising for the Canadian Mental Health Association – South Okanagan Similkameen branch(CMHA-SOS).
From across the region and beyond, 217 players of all ages and skill levels took to the Robinson Park outdoor pickleball courts for three days of games between Aug. 29 and 31.
Proceeds from the tournament directly support mental health programs and services in the community, including suicide prevention training, anger management classes, Mental Health First Aid, Unity Clubhouse, mental health advocacy, and a meals program for individuals living with mental illness in Penticton.
“We saw incredible growth this year — more players, more sponsors, more volunteer referees, and more spectators,” said Leah Schulting, Executive Director of CMHA-SOS. “This tournament continues to grow in popularity, and the community support has been truly heartwarming.”
The tournament is put on in partnership with the Penticton Pickleball Club, who not only organize the schedule of games, but in past have also provided referees for the matches.
The local business community is also a major sponsor of the tournament, and a number of locals showed up to participate.
Many of those locals placed in the tournament and received medals, with the list of finishes below:
Mixed Doubles
3.0, any age
SILVER: Markus Quintero & Teresa Dingil
3.5, 55+
GOLD: Ronna Pearson & Bill Pacheco
SILVER: Lori Burgoyne & Jason Schubert
BRONZE: Mary Wu & Curtis Hamilton
3.5, 60+
GOLD: Helen Tidder & Steve Tidder
BRONZE: Monica Weeks & Scott Meakins
4.0, 55+
SILVER: Anita Marshall & Rick Marshall
4.5+
SILVER: Megan Dorrington & Kham Douangpanya
Men’s Doubles
3.0 any age
SILVER: Jim Cowden & Bob Dinel
3.5 any age
SILVER: Jason Schubert & Donovan Rogall
3.5 55+
GOLD: Gerald Watson
SILVER: Lee Abel & Bill Pacheco
4.0 age 55+
SILVER: Barry Trembley & Bob Craig
BRONZE: Laurent Banerd & Rick Marshall
4.5+ any age
GOLD: Greg Machtaler
4.5+, 55+
SILVER: Gord Barnes & Dave Burgoyne
Women’s Doubles
3.0, 55+
SILVER: Emilie Clare & Teresa Dingil
BRONZE: Cornelia Castle & Wendy Shanks
3.5 any age
GOLD: Helen Tidder
SILVER: Julie Cornett-Ching & Allison Henry
3.5, 55+
GOLD: Michelle Trembley
BRONZE: Karen Gallagher & Allison Schubert
3.5, 62+
GOLD: Jane Trousdell & Monica Weeks
SILVER: Sue Munro
4.0+, 55+
GOLD: Lori Burgoyne & Anita Marshall
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