A kids-only pickleball tournament will be held on July 20 at the Chesterland pickleball courts in Parkside Park, open to players aged 8 to 17 who have never participated in a tournament. The event, organized by Barry Leven, features a gauntlet-style format where players compete against others of similar skill levels. Participants must register individually and pay a $20 entry donation supporting the West Geauga Pickleball Court Lights GoFundMe. The tournament is split into two age groups, with awards for the top three finishers.
Barry Leven, a former vocational teacher passionate about youth activities, initiated the tournament to provide a rare competitive opportunity for young pickleball players in Ohio. Since the courts opened last July, they have become a popular community hub, especially for families playing together. Leven highlights pickleball’s unique appeal in fostering multi-generational play and notes the sport’s rapid growth nationwide, with over 20 million players in the U.S. The Chesterland courts, built with community support, may also host more adult tournaments in the future.
