The YMCA of Greater Brandywine will welcome pickleball players and enthusiasts from across the nation to the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn.

UMLY will serve as the host site for the 2023 Association of Pickleball Players (APP) Philadelphia Open, a USA Pickleball Sanctioned Match Medal Plus (MMP) Tournament, taking place between August 23 and 27. 

Volunteers will receive a t-shirt, refreshments and complimentary grounds pass to watch the tournament play on the day of their shift. 

Free Pickleball Workshops on August 12 

In the spirit of National Pickleball Day, YGBW is helping newcomers learn about the sport with two free workshops on August 12. It will be at the YMCA Pickleball Center at Downingtown, the first YMCA facility in the nation dedicated to pickleball.  

The two-hour introductory workshops are open to the community and take place from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and from Noon – 2:00 PM. Participants can register for the session that best fits their schedule. 

Pickleball Month at YGBW 

“We’re excited to introduce new players to the sport of pickleball at our upcoming workshops,” said Shawn Ganow, Director of Pickleball at YMCA Pickleball Center. 

“We hosted a similar event in January and the response was overwhelming – in a good way. More than one hundred people came to the Oscar Lasko YMCA in West Chester to learn, make new friends and have fun – and that’s what pickleball is all about.” 
 
In addition to hosting free community workshops and the Open, YGBW is celebrating National Pickleball Day all month long by encouraging current members of YMCA Pickleball Center to bring a friend. 

Members can qualify to have their monthly fee waived for one month when they refer a friend to join. 

“At the Y, August feels more like Pickleball Month than Pickleball Day, said Ganow. “From the workshops to the tournaments to our refer-a-friend offer, we hope to fill our courts to continue building friendships and community, one game at a time.” 

Learn more about the YMCA Pickleball at Downingtown on YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s website.

Volunteer Spotlight: Pickleball Ambassador, YMCA of Greater Brandywine.