Sunrisers tournament a hit for pickleball players

Kobi Steigel, Daniel Earle and Alicia Pairman were double winners at the Sunrisers Pickleball Club tournament held at Smash Yard Pickleball Park, Constant Spring Golf Club, on September 19. Pickleball, a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis, is a rapidly growing racket sport, with players able to learn the basics relatively quickly. The sport is moving from an unfamiliar recreational game into an organised Jamaican sport, with an association, dedicated facilities, tournaments and an increasing presence in schools, as local players pursue international ambitions. The event brought together players from across the island’s growing pickleball community, including members of Team Jamaica. Many participants described it as the best tournament they had ever attended. “The response was overwhelming and it shows just how quickly pickleball is growing in Jamaica,” said Sunrisers Pickleball Club president and tournament director Tonya Moss-Saunders. “We were excited to welcome everyone, from Team Jamaica to first-time competitors, and our goal was to give every player a great experience from start to finish,” she told the Jamaica Observer. Moss-Saunders said the tournament was fully booked, with demand pushing registrations beyond the original capacity. She said the event also reflected the spirit of the Sunrisers, whose members created a welcoming atmosphere on and off the courts. Every registered player received a free lunch, courtesy of Best Dressed Chicken. Organisers credited the event’s success to the support of its sponsors and volunteers. On the court, Kobi Steigel and Alexandra Azar won the Mixed Doubles Class A, while Steigel teamed up with Aman Chatani to win the Men’s Doubles Class A. Alicia Pairman and Daniel Earle won the Mixed Doubles Class B, while Pairman completed her second title by teaming with Savannah Chung to win the Women’s Doubles Class A. Shelli Chin and Becky Levy captured the Women’s Doubles Class B, while Jordan Newman and Daniel Earle won the Men’s Doubles Class B. Building on the momentum, the organisers plan to host events more frequently. “We truly enjoyed putting this on and this is only the beginning,” Moss-Saunders said. “Pickleball is here to stay, and we look forward to bringing even more players and fans into the sport.”