Youth strong focus of pickleball event hosted by TJ and Amber Brodie

DRESDEN – The Rally at the Barn pickleball tournament had a strong focus on youth this year as the event continues to promote the sport.

Toronto Maple Leaf blueliner TJ Brodie and his wife Amber, both Dresden natives, hosted the weekend event at the Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Center for the second year, which began Friday with a free youth clinic.

“We added a youth tournament and there was a good turnout for the learn-to-play clinic,” TJ. Brodie said.

He added more than 70 kids came out for the clinic on Friday, which was more than double the 32 who participated last year.

Brodie said the men’s, women’s and mixed tournaments were all played in one day last year, which made for a long day for those playing in two tournaments so a youth tournament and mixed tournament were held Sunday.

“It’s been three full days, but it’s been good,” he said.

“It’s so fun,” Amber Brodie said. “The tournament has been amazing.”

Noting she only took up pickleball last year, Amber Brodie said she didn’t know anything about the game until it was suggested the couple host a tournament in Dresden.

Noting there are new pickleball courts going up in Dresden’s Jackson Park, she said the tournament has helped promote the game.

When asked what the future of the event looks like, Amber Brodie said, “We really didn’t know what to expect when we started last year.

“We love how it’s going so time will tell,” she added.

Decker Beatty and his friend, Max Richardson, both 10, were having fun taking part in Sunday’s youth tournament.

Decker said he came out “just to play with my friends.”

When asked what he likes about the game, he said, “That it’s really competitive.”

Max sums what he enjoys about pickleball in one word – “Everything.”

He plans on improving his game, because “I’m still learning the rules.”

Cameron Taylor, of Taylored Pickleball Academy, which organized the events, said, “There’s a big focus on youth now, which is really exciting.”

He added the popularity of the sport is growing across the community.

“The exciting thing about this is that adults and youth are on the court together,” Taylor said.

He added people with a wide range of skill level can play the game.

The tournament is also a fundraiser for the Lighthouse Foundation that TJ and Amber Brodie began six years ago when Brodie was playing for the Calgary Flames.

The foundation was initially started with a focus on raising funds for cystic fibrosis research after TJ Brodie watched his cousin Ian Badder battle the disease, who has since received a double-lung transplant.

The foundation also turned its focus to multiple sclerosis research when Amber Brodie was diagnosed with the condition in late 2015.

Amber Brodie said her husband also wants the foundation to help kids who need some financial assistance to play sports.

Looking at the turnout over the weekend, Amber Brodie said, “The support from the community, as always, it blows us away.”

TJ Brodie said, “Growing up around here everyone’s always been so supportive of my career.”

He said it is nice to come back and show his appreciation for that support.