We’re thrilled to share the news of an amazing event held on May 18th, 2024! Pickleball of Waterloo Wellington Region (POWWR), a local organization, hosted a player clinic and tournament in support of Spectrum. It was a fantastic day filled with friendly competition, community spirit, and of course, raising awareness for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The morning kicked off with a two-hour clinic led by skilled POWWR coaches. A total of 56 participants eagerly learned and honed their skills, creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere.

In the afternoon, things got competitive! POWWR volunteers transformed the space into a tournament zone, with matches happening across 12 gyms. A whopping 63 individuals battled it out on the court, showcasing their athleticism and sportsmanship.

But the true victory lies beyond the scoreboards. The event was a resounding success, raising almost $6,000 in support of Spectrum’s vital work in the Waterloo Region. We are incredibly grateful to POWWR for their dedication and generosity.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the POWWR volunteers who went above and beyond to make this event possible. Their hard work and enthusiasm created a welcoming and fun environment for everyone involved.

A huge thank you to our prize sponsors who helped elevate the experience for our participants:

• Dr. Kyle Simpson, BSc, DC
• Marlowe Grooming & General
• The Underdog Dance Corp.
• Kazoku Martial Arts Centre
• Carly Pettinger & Kara McLean
• HomeFit Exercise Equipment
• CrossFit 1827
• AOK Craft Beer + Arcade
• Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewing
• Wages Corp
• Together Again Eyewear
• POWWR
• Bob’s Rackets
• City of Waterloo
• Black Knight
• Canada Wide Sports

We also extend our deepest gratitude to our event sponsors:

This event would not be possible without the incredible support of the Pickleball of Waterloo Wellington Region (POWWR). Thanks to the generous gift of time from their volunteers, Spectrum benefitted from nearly all the ticket sales. A special shout-out to Fiona, whose vision for the event brought it to life!

We are incredibly grateful to The City of Waterloo’s Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) team for generously covering 100% of the rental cost of RIM Park (valued at $2,373.92). Their support demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within our community.

For a glimpse into the excitement of the day, be sure to check out the CTV News Kitchener coverage. We also had coverage from CBC News and City News. 

We at Spectrum are deeply appreciative of POWWR’s and the City of Waterloo’s incredible support. Together, we can continue fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for everyone in Waterloo Region!

Extra thanks to the following individuals for their event support:

Each of these individuals went above and beyond in some way to support our event. While we tried to list everyone, but there were so many people that helped to bring this event together:

• Fiona MacGregor (POWWR)
• Troy Dettwiler (Sports Coordinator, Spectrum)
• Anette Happel (POWWR)
• James MacLeod (City of Waterloo)
• Scott Williams (Executive Director, Spectrum)
• Mattie James (Facilitator, Spectrum)
• Kita Pinheiro (Facilitator, Spectrum)
• Jesse Hafermehl (Facilitator, Spectrum)
• Alex (Volunteer, Spectrum)
• Fabian Fletcher (Volunteer and Operations Manager, Spectrum)
• Dorothy McCabe (Mayor, City of Waterloo)
• Brian Hill (READI Member, City of Waterloo)
• Amy Ross (READI Member, City of Waterloo)
• Paulina Rodriguez (READI Member, City of Waterloo)
• Adam Nerger (READI Member, City of Waterloo)
• Bardish Chagger (MP, Waterloo)
• Jillian Fleming (City of Waterloo)
• Iliana Medellin (City of Waterloo)
• Erica Brennan (Canada Wide Sports)
• Stephanie Cormier (Unique Embroidery Promotions & Awards)
• Shelby Knox (CTV News)
• Justine Fraser (City News)
• Kate Bueckert (CBC News)
• Lexi Salt (Facilitator, Spectrum)
• Anthony Nguyen (Conestoga College)

Wrap Up

So again, thank you! Whether you shared the event with a friend, attended, or made a donation, we appreciate the impact you made on our community. If you would like to help out in the future with this event, please reach out to our Sports Coordinator: troy@ourspectrum.com

Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space, is proud to announce the first Pride Pickleball Fundraiser Tournament and Player Clinic in Canada, set to take place on May 18, 2024 at RIM Park in Waterloo.

The Pride Pickleball Fundraiser Tournament and Player Clinic aims to raise awareness and funds in support of Spectrum’s vital programming, which serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Waterloo Region.

Here’s the Poster you can share with your friends.

Schedule

Purchase Tickets

Purchase Tickets Here!

If you can’t make it, please cancel your ticket so that we can fill your spot from our waitlist. If you need to cancel the day of the tournament, please email troy@ourspectrum.com

Event Sponsors

This event would not be possible without the support of Pickleball of Waterloo Wellington Region (POWWR). With the gift of time from their volunteers, SPECTRUM is able to benefit from nearly all the ticket sales.

The City of Waterloo’s Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) team has generously agreed to cover 100% of the rental cost of RIM Park (valued over $2,500), demonstrating their commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the community.

Prize Sponsors

Each Prize Sponsor donated $100 in the form of a donation to Spectrum or through a donation of services/products with a value of $100. Again, with their support we’ve been able to raise more money for the program.

Thank you:

• Dr. Kyle Simpson, BSc, DC (Pickleball Gear)
• Marlowe Grooming & General (Gift Card)
• The Underdog Dance Corp. (Gift Card)
• Kazoku Martial Arts Centre (Pickleball Gear)
• Carly Pettinger & Kara McLean (Pickleball Gear)
• HomeFit Exercise Equipment (Pickleball Gear)
• CrossFit 1827 (Pickleball Gear)
• AOK Craft Beer + Arcade (Pickleball Gear)
• Together We’re Bitter Co-operative Brewing (Pickleball Gear)
• Wages Corp (Pickleball Gear)