The NOTL Pickleball Club now has 260 players – from 18 to 84 – signed up for its inaugural international tournament in June. 

“With so many players, plus husbands and wives, the tournament will bring major benefits to the town as a whole,” said John Hindle, co-chair for the event.

“It’s rewarding to see how pickleball in this case is dovetailing perfectly with NOTL’s well-known image as a tourist venue.”

Players from as far away as Alaska, California, Florida and New York will join competitors from across Niagara and the NOTL club.

There will be about 180 teams spread across the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles events – as well as three age brackets and three skill level categories.

The club is partnering with Cogeco YourTV to televise the professional exhibition matches on Friday, June 9, and tournament games on June 10 and 11. 

The Lake Report is the event’s major print media sponsor. Several local corporate sponsors have signed on, including Quinn Wealth Management, the 2024 Virgil Stampede, Eye Wellness, One Earth, Sandtrap Bar & Grill, Hotel 124Q, Bella Terra Vineyards and Selkirk.

And more sponsors are welcome, Hindle said.

The NOTL Pickleball Classic begins with the professional exhibition matches on June 9, “an excellent opportunity for the audience to see just how the game is played at the top level, in this case by eight of Ontario’s top professionals,” co-chair Ian Lagden said.

Tickets for that night are $10. Admission is free for all the weekend matches on June 10 and 11.