On September 21, the American Chinese Pickleball Association (ACPA) hosted its inaugural Family Friendship Tournament in Glen Mills, a charming town in the suburbs of Philadelphia. This exciting event also coincided with the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a significant traditional Chinese holiday.
Pickleball has been rapidly gaining traction, appealing to players of all ages and serving as a fantastic way for families to bond. To promote family involvement, the ACPA strategically organized this tournament just ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, emphasizing the value of family unity. The association was delighted to see a growing number of pickleball enthusiasts bringing their spouses, children, grandchildren, and relatives to join in the fun, all while fostering a love for the sport.
The tournament featured doubles matches exclusively between family members, with no restrictions on gender or skill level. Within just a week of launching registration, the response was overwhelming, surpassing initial expectations. Given space constraints, the first 16 family teams were selected to compete, and for those who couldn’t form a family team but were still eager to participate, the ACPA included the top 20 individual registrants based on the DUPR scoring system.
The competition thrived in an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement, showcasing not only the strong family ties within the pickleball community but also the competitive spirit of the sport itself. The event’s success was made possible through generous sponsorships, including Dr. Li Xiaobin of Zhufeng Medical, lunch provided by Nice Chinese Restaurant, and discounted coffee and tea from Cup of Dreams.
Established in early 2024, the ACPA aims to promote pickleball within the Chinese community by offering learning opportunities, fitness programs, and organizing various competitions to help the sport flourish. The association has successfully hosted numerous events and provided pickleball courses at community schools across different skill levels. For more information about pickleball, joining the sport, becoming an ACPA member, or supporting Chinese pickleball, interested individuals can reach out via email at [email protected].
