Pickleballers will be flocking to the Ken Houston Memorial Arena in Dresden in a couple of weeks for a fundraising event hosted by NHL defenceman TJ Brodie and his wife Amber.
The 4th Annual Rally at the Barn is set for July 4-6.
The event, which is a fundraiser for The Lighthouse Foundation, kicks off with a youth development clinic on the Friday of the weekend for kids aged 6-10+.
"The kids group has been really good," said Brodie. "To try to introduce [the sport] to kids who need it and have never played and then there's some who have played and they're better than me."
Brodie added no experience is necessary for the youth clinic -- it's just a way to get people introduced to the sport.
"As long as you just bring a pair of running shoes, they have paddles and balls that you can use if you don't have your own," said Brodie. "It's more just to introduce them to the sport and there are teachers there who will give you pointers and tricks and stuff to help you out."
Brodie, who co-owns a Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) team, said he has been watching some matches, but may need to shake some of the rust off of his own pickleball game before the tournament starts as well.
"The last couple of weeks we have just been trying to settle in here," said Brodie, who recently returned to the Chatham-Kent area after spending the NHL season with the Chicago Blackhawks. "Hopefully the next month or so we can get out and get some practice in."
After the youth clinic, the Rally continues with a men's and ladies' tournament on Saturday, July 5, and then a youth tournament and a mixed division tournament on Sunday, July 6.
The Lighthouse Foundation aims to bring awareness to and help find a cure for MS and Cystic Fibrosis.
You can find more information about the tournament and registration details by clicking here.
You can hear the full interview with TJ Brodie on CK Mornings with Chris, Allanah & Matt on 94.3 CKSY by clicking here.