Shriners Children's Named Official Association of Pickleball Players Partner

The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has announced a multi-year partnership with Shriners Children’s, a leader in pediatric specialty medical care, as the official charity partner of the APP. Shriners Children’s and the APP will launch several co-branded community initiatives surrounding the partnership, all in support of funds and awareness for Shriners Children’s, and to support the growth of pickleball across the United States.

“We are honored to partner with such a remarkable leader in Shriners Children’s, whose values are near and dear to our hearts,” said APP Founder Ken Herrmann. “We are proud to support them and equally grateful for their support of the APP. We look forward to making a powerful impact on many lives together, through pickleball, for many years to come.”

“Partnering with the Association of Pickleball Players gives our healthcare system an exciting new platform to share our mission with sports fans and pickleball enthusiasts around the United States,” said Leslie D. Stewart, M.D., Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Shriners Children’s. “Shriners Children's experienced and innovative medical teams provide hope and healing for children around the world. Aligning with the Association of Pickleball Players will help us reach the next generation of supporters and improve the lives of more children in more places.”

Highlighting the partnership will be a series of co-branded pickleball fundraising events held at local pickleball clubs across the country, with Shriners Children’s as the primary beneficiary.

The APP event calendar each year will include a nationally televised annual APP Shriners Children’s Pro Invitational tournament, featuring top APP Tour pro players. Shriners Children’s and the APP also will collaborate to host corporate pickleball challenges, fitness-based “virtual” fundraising challenges, clinics, donor events and more. Every dollar raised will support Shriners Children's mission to provide children the best possible care in the areas of orthopedics, burns, cleft lip and palate and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, regardless of the family’s ability to pay or insurance status.

As official charity partner of the APP Tour, Shriners Children’s branding will be fully immersed in digital and on-site activations at each tour stop, including signage and broadcast integrations.

Shriners Children’s is already active in pickleball, with a dedicated event fundraising page live now on its website. Those interested in arranging pickleball events to help raise funds for Shriners Children’s can go to this link to sign up.