By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As pickleball has exploded in popularity across the country, some have utilized the sport to fundraise for various causes. Miss Emery Teen Hallie Frandsen is using the sport to elevate her platform of getting the community out and active.
Frandsen joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss her pickleball tournament fundraiser, which takes place on Saturday, Aug. 16, and the motive behind the event.
“When I got into high school and started doing some sports, I realized not everyone has the financial means to be able to do sports, and that got me thinking. It’s not just high school kids. There’s a whole bunch of different kids throughout our community that may want to play sports and be part of something, but just don’t have the money to be able to do those sports,” explained Frandsen. “So this pickleball tournament is a way to raise money for those kids to hopefully help them be able to be part of something and to have a family.”
Diving into the nitty-gritty, Frandsen discussed the finer details of the tournament,” It will be held at Orangeville City Park on Aug. 16 at 8 a.m. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and we’ll be able to play on the pickleball courts that were put in recently. And so this is a great way to be able to be on those new pickleball courts in a fun way.”
Speaking about why she chose pickleball for the tournament, Frandsen stated,” Pickleball is not just for the young kids. There are a lot of older people who play pickleball. And for my community service initiative, it’s not just about the little kids. It’s about getting everyone active. So this is a great way to involve the older people and the younger people in just a fun tournament.”
“It’s just about fun. It’s not about winning anything or having to be the best,” said Frandsen. “And there’s going to be an opportunity drawing too, so it’s not like you won’t be able to win anything. You’ll be able to be a part of that and hopefully get something.”
Closing our conversation, Frandsen shared,” Sign up and have a fun time at the pickleball tournament. It’ll be a really good turnout. There’s going to be the Buckhorn Bazaar there as well and food trucks. It’s going to be a really fun activity. So I hope you guys can make it there.”
The Miss Emery Teen Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser takes place on Saturday, Aug. 16, starting at 7:30 a.m. in Orangeville City Park. Registration is available online. For more information, contact (435)-749-2928.