More Than 200 Students Join Pickleball Events
More than 200 students participated in a series of school pickleball events over the past two weeks, culminating in the Caribbean Championships Junior Showcase held on June 13 at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium.
A spokesperson said, “”The Showcase brought together many of Bermuda’s top young pickleball players who earned qualification opportunities through the Bermuda School Sports Federation [BSSF] Primary, Middle School, and Senior School Pickleball Championships, creating a clear progression from school participation to advanced competition and future development opportunities.
“The BSSF events were facilitated through the Department of Sport and Recreation and hosted at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium, with support from the Pickleball Association of Bermuda [PAB], local coaches, teachers, and volunteers. Together, these events engaged more than 200 students and introduced hundreds of young athletes to pickleball while creating meaningful opportunities for participation, competition, and development.
“Originally planned as part of the Caribbean Pickleball Championships, the Junior Showcase was rescheduled following inclement weather earlier this year. The event was subsequently delivered by the Pickleball Association of Bermuda as the culminating stage of a broader junior development initiative designed to connect school participation with future opportunities within the sport.”
“The success of this programme demonstrates what can happen when schools, sport organizations, coaches, volunteers, and government work together,” said George Thomas, President of the Pickleball Association of Bermuda. “The Showcase provided a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to compete, challenge themselves, and continue their development within the sport.”
A spokesperson added, “The Junior Showcase forms part of the Pickleball Association of Bermuda’s Long-Term Athlete Development framework and represents an important step toward establishing Bermuda’s first Junior National Pickleball Team pathway.”
“The vision was to create a pathway that starts in our schools, gives young athletes opportunities to learn and compete, and then provides continued development opportunities for those who wish to pursue the sport further,” said Gavin Manders, National Director of Pickleball. “This year represented an important first step in bringing that vision to life and identifying athletes who may one day represent Bermuda as members of future Junior National Teams. We are now beginning the process of building a Junior National Squad with the long-term goal of preparing athletes to represent Bermuda at the 2027 Caribbean Championships in Jamaica and beyond.”
A spokesperson added, “While the BSSF championships provided the qualification pathway, the Junior Showcase was organized and delivered by the Pickleball Association of Bermuda as part of its ongoing commitment to junior development. The event brought together qualified athletes from across the school system and provided an environment focused on competition, talent identification, and long-term athlete development.
“Athletes competed in singles and doubles divisions ranging from 8U to 16U, with many participants competing across age groups in development-focused formats designed to maximize playing opportunities and match experience.
“Among the standout performances were Lee Terceira, who captured four medals including three gold medals, and Tristan Thompson, who earned two gold medals and a silver medal while competing across multiple age divisions. Kai Manders also delivered an outstanding performance, capturing four gold medals and a bronze medal while competing across multiple age divisions.
“Beyond the results, the initiative successfully established a school-to-pathway model that will continue to be developed in the years ahead. Athletes identified through the Showcase may now be invited to participate in future junior development programmes, training camps, and national squad activities as the Pickleball Association of Bermuda begins the process of forming its first Junior National Squad. The long-term objective is to prepare a team capable of representing Bermuda at the 2027 Caribbean Pickleball Championships in Jamaica and future regional and international competitions.
“The Pickleball Association of Bermuda, Department of Sport and Recreation, participating schools, teachers, coaches, volunteers, and parents were all recognized for their contributions in helping create a positive and meaningful experience for Bermuda’s next generation of athletes.
“A Junior Showcase Medal Presentation Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the W.E.R. Joell Tennis Stadium, where athletes will be formally recognized for their achievements and participation in the event.
“As pickleball continues to grow across Bermuda, the Junior Showcase has established a strong foundation for future youth development and demonstrates the potential of collaborative efforts to create lasting opportunities for young people through sport.”
Official Results
Boys Singles
16U Singles
- Hasan Khan
- Owen Stewart
- Jahmel Franks
14U Singles
- Riley Williams
- Tristan Thompson
- George Peniston
12U Singles
- Tristan Thompson
- Trey McComas
- Julian Borchardt
10U Singles
- Kai Manders
- Ethan Adelsberg
- Jake Butterfield
8U Singles
- Kai Manders
- Shai Hollis
- Riley Stovell
Boys Doubles
16U Doubles
- Hasan Khan / Cole Heffernan
14U Doubles
- Jack Walsh / Jonah McGuinness
- George Peniston / Daniel Dalene
- Micah Dottin / Riley Williams
12U Doubles
- Tristan Thompson / Trey McComas
- Julian Borchardt / Landon Williams
- Kai Manders / Gavin Manders
10U Doubles
- Kai Manders / Shai Hollis
- Ethan Weaver / Ethan Adelsberg
- Noah / Jonah
8U Doubles
- Kai Manders / Shai Hollis
- Riley Stovell / Tiahren Ma-Furbert
- Benz Francis-Trott / Dayon Brangman
Girls Singles
14U Singles
- Lee Terceira
- Ella Metschnabel
- Arianna Parra-Delgado
12U Singles
- Lee Terceira
- Shellea Hendrickson
- Aalaysia Watson
Girls Doubles
14U Doubles
- Ashley Wakeford / Ella Metschnabel
- Lee Terceira / Shellea Hendrickson
- Aleisha Siddiqi / Molly Morton
12U Doubles
- Lee Terceira / Shellea Hendrickson
- Aleisha Siddiqi / Molly Morton
- Annabelle Murphy / Myla Desjardins
10U Doubles
- Aleisha Siddiqi / Molly Morton
Outstanding Performances
Lee Terceira
- Gold – 14U Singles
- Gold – 12U Singles
- Gold – 12U Doubles
- Silver – 14U Doubles
Tristan Thompson
- Silver – 14U Singles
- Gold – 12U Singles
- Gold – 12U Doubles
Kai Manders
- Gold – 8U Singles
- Gold – 10U Singles
- Gold – 8U Doubles
- Gold – 10U Doubles
- Bronze – 12U Doubles
Aleisha Siddiqi & Molly Morton
- Gold – 10U Doubles
- Silver – 12U Doubles
- Bronze – 14U Doubles
