Calling all pickleball players. Pines to host inaugural tournament for education
An inaugural sporting event is coming to Pembroke Pines and will support the city’s latest education initiative.
The Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation will host its first pickleball tournament for players of all levels in a series of matches.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Paul J. Maxwell Park, located at 1200 SW 72nd Ave.
The competition is open to players from across Broward County and will feature a morning tournament, an afternoon beginner clinic and an evening round-robin session, allowing players to choose based on skill level.
Proceeds will benefit the Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation, which supports students and educational programs across the city’s charter schools. The city has the largest municipally run nonprofit charter school system in Florida.
The competition will feature three divisions — beginner, intermediate and advanced, along with men’s, women’s, mixed and youth (17 and under) brackets.
The beginner clinic will be led by certified coach and founder of Meet Me At The Net, Daniel Bell. Equipment will be available for clinic participants.
Tournament participants will receive a shirt and hat, but must arrive with their own pickleball gear for tourney play.
Cash prizes vary by division. Advanced winners will receive $300 for first place, $200 for second place and two free entries to a future tournament for third place.
Intermediate prizes include two Helios Sol paddles and $100 for first place, two pickleball bags for second place and two free tournament entries for third place.
Beginner winners will receive two Helios Athos paddles for first place, two pickleball bags for second place and two free tournament entries for third place.
There will be food trucks and sponsor giveaways, too. Spectators are encouraged to attend and support the fundraiser.
Registration is required to compete, with a $65 entry fee. A $5 donation will enter attendees into a raffle for prizes, including pickleball equipment.
For more information about the event or to become a vendor, contact Daniel Bell at danielbell.mmn@gmail.com.
This story was originally published April 6, 2026 at 3:15 PM.
