One of the most popular clubs in Tellico Village, the Tellico Village Pickle Ball Club, has a slew of upcoming events planned for the month of April.

The events are geared toward new and current players of the sport, community partners and Villagers who just want to have a good time out with fellow pickle ball participants.

SPECIAL OLYMPIANS


On April 25 at 4 p.m., the TVPBC will host Special Olympians and provide training on how to play pickle ball. With pickle ball just recently being added to the Special Olympics back in October 2023, the club was eager to get involved.

“We are bringing in 16 Special Olympians and teaching them the basics of pickle ball,” Gordon Young, longtime TVPBC member and former president said. “That will go on for about two hours. We are keeping stats and the club has purchased medals for them — as well as their mentors.

“In Special Olympics’ play, depending on the particular capability (of each individual), they are ranked at three levels — (and) they would have a different level of participation from their mentor,” Young said.

“In some cases, they will be on the court with them — helping them move to the ball and less in other cases. My first experience of Special Olympians dates back 40 years in Georgia, and there were a number of individuals who were certainly more athletic and capable than I was.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Young said that the TVPBC tries to group the Olympians by level of capability to make their time on the court more enjoyable. The TVPBC encourages the community to come out and support the future Olympians during their time in the Village.

“We are looking forward to it,” Young said. “We are truly very happy to be able to get the kids and other individuals out there.

“Of course, a number of these Olympians are not kids — they’re adults. But we want to get the Special Olympians out there (playing pickle ball).

“We have a large number of volunteers who participate with the Special Olympians just like we’re getting in our elementary school program where we have a large number of people who want to be active in our community … and beyond Tellico Village.”

SPRING TOURNAMENT

Just days after on April 26 through April 28, the TVPBC will host its annual Spring Open Tournament.

The Tournament is consistently one of the Tellico Village Pickle Ball Club’s biggest events of the year and is expected to attract around 250 participants from six or more states.

“That Friday at 3 p.m., our singles’ matches start and that is the smaller portion of the event. … The next day, it is men’s doubles and women’s doubles and it will go from basically 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday,” Young said.

Young said that they will have a wide range of pickle ballers ranging in skill level from 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.0-plus.

During last year’s Tournament, the club had players ranging as young as 14 years old. Once again, this year there will be various age brackets open to men, women and mixed play.

In fact, this year’s Tournament has the potential for 72 different brackets of competition!

SPECTATORS WELCOME

The Tournament isn’t only for just the athletes participating, but spectators are welcome to come out as well.

The Tournament’s primary sponsor is Campbell Financial Group, and 50 percent of the net proceeds will help benefit the Special Olympics.

Young said the TVPBC has certainly set a record as far as sponsorship donations and the Tellico Village Pickle Ball Club expects to raise “a fair amount of money” to pour back into the community.

‘AFTER GLOW PARTY’

Following the Spring Tournament, the TVPBC will round off the eventful month with its “2024 After Glow Party” on April 29.

The Party will be held at The Yacht Club at Tellico Village and will provide an environment with live music by the Second Wind Band.

Along with the entertainment, appetizers and both silent and live auctions will be held to help raise money for the TVPBC’s Special Olympics partner.

While hosted by the TVPBC, the Party itself will be open to the public with ticket purchases.

More information on the “After Glow Party” event and the many other upcoming events that the TVPBC is involved in throughout this month can be found at https://tvpbc-gameon.org/clubinfo/calendar.