Swing for the Kids: Pickleball Edition

Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson to Hold Swing for the Kids: Pickleball Edition Fundraising Event at Historic Tucson Racquet Club

On Saturday, September 23rd the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson (BGCT) will be holding its annual Swing for the Kids fundraising event, this year rebranded as a Pickleball edition. The event will take place on the courts of the historic Tucson Racquet Club, beginning at 7am. Registration is open to members of the public, with options for both experienced players and those new to the game. Seasoned players will play in both foursomes and round-robins, while novices will also have the option of participating in pickleball clinics led by instructors.

Driven by BGCT’s Associate Board, Swing for the Kids is an impactful fundraiser that in the past has raised more than $25,000 for the organization’s work with the city’s most at-risk youth. The funds directly go back into BGCT’s educational programs that benefit thousands of at-risk youth yearly, supporting both academic and sports programs alike. Pickleball is already being taught in the Clubhouses, spearheaded by a partnership with ALL IN Pickleball, who will also be participating in this event.

There are a variety of ways interested members of the public can get involved with the Swing for the Kids event. Player spots are still open, with a registration portal on the BGCT website. For individuals or companies interested in sponsoring the event, the organization also has several opportunities currently available. Those unable to attend the event but interested in supporting BGCT can make a donation at BGCTucson.org.

“Pickleball is a sport that is gaining national traction, and its impact only continues to grow every day. But it’s not just a sport for the select few, the especially fit or gifted. It can be played by children or the elderly, the mega athletic or someone who has never set foot on a court in their life. We teach Pickleball in our Clubhouses because it imparts valuable skills about communication, body positivity, and character. That’s one thing I love about it: to excel in pickleball you just need determination and practice. It is probably the most inclusive sport in existence. I have been playing pickleball lately and absolutely love it. Were it not for our friends at ALL IN, I might still be watching from the sidelines. We are so excited to be working with a historic community icon like the Tucson Racquet Club, and encourage everyone to sign up for what will be a day of immense fun in support of a great cause.” Adam Begody, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson

“A couple of years ago, ALL IN Youth Pickleball dreamed about sharing the joy of pickleball with underserved youth in Tucson. We turned to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, and they opened their arms to us. 40 coaches later BGCT and ALL IN and have made this dream come true to over 100 of the BGCT youth.” Nancy Hosford, Founder and Executive Director, ALL IN Youth Pickleball

“Pickleball is a terrific way for youth at all levels of physicality to get some exercise and be introduced to a racquet/paddle sport. It builds tremendous confidence in kids early on because they can master the basics pretty quickly. Our volunteer coaches emphasize concepts like teamwork and perseverance while teaching them to play the game. Our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson allows us to bring this sport to hundreds of youth throughout the region who may otherwise not have the opportunity. We are excited to bring it to even more youth this year.” Carol Carpenter, President, ALL IN Youth Pickleball

For 65 years the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson has helped keep thousands of local children involved in after school and summer programming. The six Clubhouse locations across the city of Tucson offer daily access to a broad range of programs in five core areas: Character and Leadership Development; Education and Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness, and Recreation. The organization currently serves youth ages 7-18. From its 2022 data, over 90% of the organization’s 3800 youth members served come from low-income households, 85% identify as a minority, 72% qualify for free/reduced school lunches, and 47% live in single-parent homes. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson is a qualifying charity for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit (QCO 20282). With an operating budget of $4.4 million this year the organization relies heavily on support from the Tucson community to keep the doors open for its work with Tucson’s youth. To find out more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson, visit bgctucson.org or call (520) 573-3533.