A kids’ pickleball tournament for beginners will be held on July 20 at the Chesterland pickleball courts in Parkside Park. Organized by Barry Leven, the event aims to provide local children, aged 8-17, with a fun and competitive experience using a gauntlet-style format where players compete against others at similar skill levels. Participants must preregister by donating $20 to a GoFundMe for court lighting and email their details to the organizer. The tournament will be split into two age divisions and will award prizes to the top three players.
The Chesterland courts, opened last July and built with the help of 24 volunteers who raised $64,000, have become a popular community hub, especially in the evenings when families and kids play late into the night. Leven, a former vocational teacher, highlights pickleball’s appeal as a family-friendly sport that allows multiple generations to play together. With pickleball’s rapid growth nationwide, this tournament offers a rare opportunity for youth players in Ohio to compete and enjoy the sport.
