National Deaf Pickleball Tournament in Austin
Alex (Daily Moth): During the second weekend of November, there was a National Deaf Pickleball Tournament in the Austin, Texas area.
[Video clips of the tournament] Credit: Austin Deaf Pickleball
Alex: 393 people participated in the tournament. There were also hundreds more who went as spectators, volunteers, or worked at booths.
[Video clips of the tournament] Credit: Austin Deaf Pickleball
Sisakoth Chhun, Match Coordinator: This is our fourth national tournament. I do see this continuing in the future. Our oldest player is 80 and our youngest is 13.
[Video clips of the tournament] Credit: Austin Deaf Pickleball
Alex: The tournament was live-streamed and viewed by hundreds of people.
[Video clips of the livestream] Credit: Bus Door Films / ADP
MJ Bienvenu, Tournament Director: I used to be involved with bowling and it attracted many people. But fans couldn’t really engage as they had to stay behind. I also used to do basketball (AAD) or softball. Fans were seated on the stands and couldn’t really interact. But with pickleball, and location is key, people can mingle and watch the action. There were no barriers except for the courts. You could move anywhere else and that’s what people enjoyed.
[Images of the tournament] Credit: #NDPT2024 (E. Bacak, M. Schroeder, J. Yang)
Lizzie Bloom, Communications Coordinator: Because the NDPT happens once a year, after the Arizona event last year, we were all really looking forward to the next one. During the year, we don’t see each other and many have their own ways of improving. It could be going to a league in their home state, a clinic, or practicing at their home in the garage. When it is time to meet, we have the opportunity to see where we’re at and whether we improved or are the same. It’s nice that the NDPT allows this to be highlighted for everyone.
[Images of the tournament] Credit: #NDPT2024 (E. Bacak, M. Schroeder, J. Yang)
MJ Bienvenu: During the medals, as I awarded them (many times, actually almost all), I could see how their faces were so elated. They got a medal! I think this is what people really want. It’s not about the money. If there’s no medals, it’s still fine. Their family and friends are eager to take pictures of them. It’s inspiring.
[Video clips of the livestream] Credit: Bus Door Films / ADP
Lizzie Bloom: I love it when I meet and greet others. If not for pickleball, I would’ve never met many people. Even here, in my local league, the friends I have now are because of pickleball. If not for pickleball, I wouldn’t have a reason to meet them. I’m really grateful for that.
[Images of the tournament] Credit: #NDPT2024 (E. Bacak, M. Schroeder, J. Yang)
Sisakoth Chhun: The national tournament was pretty recent. I’m still thinking about it. I still feel proud of our work to make this a positive experience for everyone, the players and the fans. It’s exciting to look to future tournaments and to see what it means for our Deaf community and for pickleball.
Alex: The next national deaf pickleball tournament will be on October 9-12, 2025 in Finksburg, Maryland. Registration will open April 2025.
https://austindeafpickleball.org/ndpt-livestream/
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162820422622216&set=pcb.869073741979129
—--------
Sponsored video by Convo: www.convorelay.com
—-------