The inaugural Midwest High School Pickleball Tournament will be held Dec. 28 and 29 at Grand Park Event Center in Westfield.
High school pickleball teams from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin are invited to participate in the event.
John Moorin, the event’s creative director and a senior professional pickleball player, saw a growing demand from high school pickleball players to play against each other in a competitive setting and helped develop this tournament as a result.
“As pickleball gains momentum in the high school and collegiate sports arena, this event promises to be a milestone in the sport’s development,” Moorin said. “I think about all the incredible memories I had playing high school sports and believe this tournament will create lasting memories for the next generation as pickleball continues to grow in popularity.”
Tournament Director Kelly-Marie Bohnert said the event is the first of its kind in the region, allowing students from multiple states to compete in a pickleball tournament.
“I’m thrilled to help provide an opportunity for interested high school students to play pickleball competitively,” Bohnert said.
Teams playing in the tournament must include two male and two female participants. Games will be hosted on a professional, Association of Pickleball Players (APP) approved playing surface, offering players the highest standard of competition. Additionally, referees will be on-site to provide guidance and resolve any disputes.
This event is a part of the Holiday Pickleball Festival, a month-long collection of pickleball tournaments at Grand Park Event Center. The festival paves the way for the APP U.S. Collegiate Championships and Midwest Open, which is scheduled for Jan. 3 to 7, 2024, at Grand Park, and will be nationally televised.
For more information on the Midwest High School Pickleball Tournament, visit this website.