Esprit to host community pickleball games

Tournament part of annual Port Angeles gathering entering 30th year

PORT ANGELES — A community pickleball tournament is planned May 13 as part of the 30th annual Esprit conference, and novices are encouraged to participate.

Community members will be paired with an Esprit lady for the inaugural tournament at Elks Playfield at 533 W. 14th St. in Port Angeles.

Organizers said the “all fun” tournament is meant to celebrate the longstanding relationship between Esprit and its host city.

Esprit is the longest-running transgender conference on the West Coast.

“Port Angeles has been really welcoming and a really safe and enjoyable place to be,” said Cindi Berry, an Esprit Planning Committee member and pickleball tournament organizer.

“It just seemed like we should do something together.”

The round-robin tournament will begin at noon May 13 after a series of teaching sessions for beginners.

The instructional classes will be conducted at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Elks Playfield. Placement for the tournament will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Pickleball is a fast-growing paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It is easy to learn but can develop into a rapid, competitive game for experienced players, according to the USA Pickleball Association.

Community members will be paired with Esprit attendees of the same skill level for the tournament.

“The emphasis here is come play and have a good time,” said Berry, a pickleball player from Northwest Oregon.

“That’s what this is all about.”

Registration forms are available online at forms.gle/opN9Pts71nmdJsgs5.

The suggested donation for the tournament is $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and $20 per family.

All proceeds will support Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, Berry said.

Esprit week begins Sunday and runs through May 19.

The convention “focuses on changing lives for the better and creating pride and self-respect for anyone who is transgender,” according to its website, www.espritconf.com.

“Port Angeles has been really supportive of the Esprit conference, and this is our 30th year,” said Berry, who has been attending the conference since 2011.

“It seems really fitting for us to come together.”

The Port Angeles City Council is expected to approve a proclamation recognizing Esprit week at its Tuesday meeting.

“It will be their 30th year celebrating coming to Port Angeles, and they have been an amazing group,” Mayor Sissi Bruch said at the April 16 council meeting.

Bruch, who plays pickleball, paired up Esprit presenter Dotti Berry, the facilitator for the significant others/couples groups, for a match during last year’s conference.

“That’s how this idea came up,” said Cindi Berry, no relation to Dotti.

“It came to the [Esprit] committee and we ran with it.”

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.
‘Soup’s On’ free lunch at St. Luke’s draws varied crowd of helpers, diners

Melissa, a member of Sequim’s Friends Together, a group that… Continue reading

At a recent site visit, North Olympic Library System Facilities Manager Brian Phillips and SHKS Architect Pia Westen examine construction progress at the Sequim Library as it’s being renovated and expanded. NOLS leaders anticipate reopening the facility in June. (North Olympic Library System)
Sequim library may open in June

Fall campaign brings in more than $500K in donations

Mike Speer of Bonney Lake, the brother of Sherry Nagel, a former board member of the YMCA of the Olympic Peninsula, cuts a ceremonial ribbon on Jan. 28 courtesy of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce to commemorate a new bus that Nagel’s estate helped fund. The bus is dedicated in Nagel’s honor. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
YMCA honors late board member with new bus

Sherry Nagel’s estate, Forest Foundation provide funds

Immigration fears hit Olympic Peninsula

Law enforcement agencies won’t deport individuals

Local immigrants worry about federal orders

As President Donald Trump steps into office and reports… Continue reading

Jefferson commissioners to discuss sheriff appointment

Three candidates named by Jefferson County Democrats

Eric Spencer, a landscaping and janitorial worker for New Life Open Bible Church, clears snow from a sidewalk next to the church at Sixth and Peabody streets in Port Angeles on Thursday morning. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
After snowfall, cold temperatures expected today

Morning commutes could continue to be icy, weather service says

Public opposes rezone of Port Townsend park

City has funded housing site layout study

Port Townsend Food Co-op sets date for union election

Simple majority needed to approve ballot

OMC board seeking candidates to fill spot

Commissioners also make all seven positions at-large

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take a snowy sled ride on the campus of Port Angeles High School on Tuesday. Overnight snowfall left a mantle of white over much of the North Olympic Peninsula with an additional chance of snow showers forecast through the weekend. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Snow day

Port Angeles brothers Finley Bornsworth, 3, left, and Oliver Bornsworth, 6, take… Continue reading

Funding freeze may affect Port Angeles grants

Judge extends block of Trump action