?Number 1 on my “Top Ten APP Moments Countdown”
#1 Community Engagement
A very passionate goal of the APP’s family is to bring pickleball to those that might not ever have the opportunity to learn to play.
Regardless of race, income, special needs or just never given the chance, at four different tour stops this past year, APP engaged with several not for profit organizations to help use our platform to put a smile on individual’s faces- AND WE HAD A BLAST DOING IT!
I believe that by investing in all individuals, young and old, we can help ensure the future success of the sport.
Let me share with you some of the amazing people I met this year….
APP Cincinnati Open-Spent the afternoon with a large group from Special Olympics
(Cincinnati), and met a young gal named Tina who was thrilled when she won a point off of APP’s Director Of Referees Byron Freso.
APP New York City Open- the Inner City Kids Foundation of New York City we had come out as our guests to The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and had all of them playing on the famous tennis grounds. Their eyes in awe of the stadium court, we gave away paddles and pickleballs so they could continue the sport when they got back home with their friends.
APP Next Gen Kansas City - with our partnership with Chicken N Pickle, we brought out the 2023 Next Gen National Team members to speak and then serve as coaches with the Special Olympics (Kansas City) organization that had a wide range of players from middle schoolers to adult.
APP Newport Beach Open- It was a typical Southern California beautiful afternoon in Newport Beach, and I got to meet 30 of the wittiest and endearing individuals from the Southern California Council on Aging, which was established in 1973 with a purpose keeping older adults healthy, connected, active and protected.
When I look back at my personal Top Ten APP Moments for 2023, each one is dear to me….. but seeing these new players fall in love with the sport, tells me that APP is more than just an international tour, we have a platform to help change a person’s life.
