With spring in full effect in Weyburn and the ice out of Crescent Point Place, not too much goes on for the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings. They’re looking to change that and keep the spirit of sport going with their first ever Pickleball tournament at the end of the month.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports around, thanks to its accessibility for all ages and minimal equipment requirements. Ryder Burns, sales and marketing director for the Red Wings, comments on the reasoning behind the brand-new tournament.
“So, it kind of was a new thing that the board wanted to do as after the season ends, we don't really have anything until our golf tournament in September. So, I started talking to the president of the pickleball association, Bob Maurer, and then Janice Bakken helped and also Tanya Hulbert been helping as well. Just kind of a new thing that the pickleball association has been helping with to set up a pickleball tournament for the Red Wings at Crescent Point Place with the ice out.”
The tournament will take place on May 31st at Crescent Point Place throughout the day. They’ve divided it into 3 different skill levels for both men’s and women’s. Pickleball has a unique way of determining skill level, with beginners falling from 2-2.99 on the scale, intermediate from 3-3.49, and advanced being 3.5+.
Seven teams of two players will be in each division with the teams set up in women’s doubles and mixed doubles. A round robin tournament will take place, with the top two from each division playing for gold and 3rd and 4th playing for bronze.
Registration is $80 per team or $40 per person. You can sign up as a team or register as a solo player, in which case you’ll be put on a waitlist and paired up with another solo player based on availability. Burns says the excitement is building for what should be a fun tournament for the whole family.
“We’re excited to try this new tournament. We already have registrations starting in each division so it's looking like it should get pretty full.”
If interested in registering, contact the Red Wings office at 306-842-2212, visit them in person (office hours depending), or email them at office@weyburnredwings.ca.