Pickleball has been steadily growing in popularity among the younger generation, and one event is striving to foster competitive events among youth.
The National Junior Pickleball Championships, held this year from October 27-28 in Las Vegas, brought together more than 110 talented junior players from 10 states and Canada to compete.
This two-day event, hosted by Excel Pickleball, was a true celebration of the sport, emphasizing camaraderie, sportsmanship, and intense competition.
Competition styles
The tournament featured competitive round-robin brackets carefully designed to group juniors of similar age and skill levels in singles and doubles events.
One of the highlights of the tournament was the unique team event, where teams of four faced off, similar to the Major League Pickleball format. Every team gold medal match came down to the wire and was decided by an MLP-style dreambreaker, in which all four team members faced off against all four opponents in singles-style matchups for points.
Off-court fun and rewards
To make the tournament even more enjoyable, each participant received a T-shirt and a swag bag filled with goodies to remember the event. Additionally, the kids had the opportunity to compete for the right to choose an item off the prize wall, which included paddles, hats, balls, and more.
Participants were well taken care of with free lunches, ice-cold water, and snacks throughout the event, ensuring they were fueled and hydrated for their matches.
The Selkirk Sportsmanship Awards:
One of the standout aspects of the NJP Championships was the Selkirk Sportsmanship Awards. Seven players were selected for Outstanding Sportsmanship during the event, receiving equipment and special recognition in front of their peers.
The awards recognized one singles player, one doubles team, and one team of four for demonstrating superior sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Each recipient received a Selkirk backpack and a new Luxx Control Air paddle, a fitting reward for their exemplary conduct on the court.
More junior pickleball tournaments in 2024
The NJP Championships were a resounding success, and there's more to come. Excel Pickleball is gearing up to host six National Junior Pickleball regional tournaments across the U.S. throughout 2024, culminating in the NJP Championships in Las Vegas at the end of the year.
These tournaments promise to be groundbreaking events that showcase the incredible talent of junior pickleball players while promoting the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination that the sport represents.
