In 2013, Delta Secondary School hosted the inaugural Red Raider Pickleball Classic. Co-convenors Bob Sandhar and Jeff Morgan hosted four schools that first year, including Sir Winston Churchill S.S, Ancaster High School, Delta S.S. and Hill Park S.S. The following year, the tournament followed Jeff to Glendale Secondary School, and it featured six local Secondary Schools. This year, the HWDSB accepted our application to become an approved, non-funded sport, and the tournament was held on December 4th at Glendale Secondary School. This year’s Championships saw seven schools participate, over 60 student-athletes sign-up, four divisions created and 100 matches played.
With the success of this year’s tournament and the continued interest from additional schools, the 2016 HWDSB Pickleball Championships should prove to be even bigger and better. The Championship uses a Team Champion format that awards points for semi-finalists, finalists and champions. The winning school is awarded the Rick Stevens Championship Trophy, and this year’s Team Champion was Glendale Secondary School with a total of 190 points. Moving forward, the goal is coordinate an OFSAA-sanctioned tournament that will lead this wonderful sport into wide-spread acceptance and legitimacy province-wide. A Secondary School Provincial Championship or Festival will be hosted sometime before 2020.
Coordinator Jeff Morgan also sent along this ‘thank you’ –
A big thanks to James Turner, Ray Munroe and the Boulangers (Raymond and Francoise) for volunteering at this year’s tournament!
Their dedication to our organization and the great game of Pickleball are much appreciated.
With seven schools, 60+ student-athletes, four divisions and 100 matches, the HWDSB Championships are further evidence of what Pickleball can offer to our community.
Lots of smiles, paddle taps and great games.
Our volunteers created an atmosphere of professionalism and care that allowed young people to play, learn and fall in love with the “fastest-growing court sport in North America”.