COMMUNITY NEWS
What’s All the Racquet About? By Beverly Perkins
U
sually when mentioning pickles in South Florida, one thinks of the nearest deli. However, pickleball is not an edible item, but a truly up and coming paddle board game. Regardless of age, skill level, or ability, the game is easy to learn and fun to play. In the past few years, it has become increasingly popular with tournaments popping up everywhere. The rules are simple, and the fun sport combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It can be played both in and outdoors on a badminton-sized court with a slightly modified tennis net, paddle, and a plastic ball. Beginners have been known to grasp the concept quickly and
then develop into experienced players who want a quick, fast-paced, competitive game. Recently, a Pickleball Charity Round Robin at Plantation Central Park raised more than $10,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. The third annual 2-day event included men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles with games running 12 hours each day. An overwhelming total of 130 teams came out to play to support the cause. The Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 and serves veterans and service members who have suffered a physical, mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001. According to Wounded Warrior Project Community Fundraising Resource Development Coordinator Julian Willis, more than 52,000 servicemen and women were injured in recent military conflicts, another 500,000 are living with “invisible
Andy and Cinthya Rubenstein Courtesy of Andy Rubenstein
wounds,” from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder, and 320,000 have experienced debilitating brain trauma. The Plantation event was organized by Andy Rubenstein. He and his wife Cinthya gathered the community to empower these warriors by participating, donating, and giving a voice to those on their journey to recovery. “It was wonderful to see so many people in the pickleball community come together to play the game they love,” said Andy Rubenstein, of Plantation, the tournament director.
⊲ For more information, please visit
www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
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