NEW BRITAIN — Community Mental Health Affiliates Inc. will hold its inaugural Pickleball Tournament at Seymour Park in Bristol.
The tournament, which CMHA hopes to make an annual event, will be held Saturday, May 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park at 275 Shrub Road. Amy Ogle, development and community engagement manager with CMHA, said the tournament will be a “fun, welcoming day of pickleball play.” Proceeds support CMHA’s mission to promote recovery, resilience and wellness through accessible, community-based mental health, substance use and supportive services.
“Join us on the courts while helping strengthen access to mental health and recovery services across our communities,” she said. “All skill levels are welcome. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned player, this event is about movement, connection and impact.”
Player slots will be scheduled by skill level. Each session is approximately 30 minutes.
Pickleball is a tennis-like game with a smaller court, making the game accessible to people of more mobility levels. It has seen a large increase in popularity in the past several years, with many towns such as Bristol replacing public tennis courts with pickleball courts.
The six pickleball courts at Seymour Park were installed in June of 2023.
CMHA, founded in 1975, is headquartered at 233 Main Street in New Britain and has locations throughout northwest and central Connecticut. According to their website, they are a “leading provider of an integrated health and behavioral healthcare system for children, families and adults.”
CMHA’s website states the organization has over 50 years experience as one of the largest behavioral healthcare providers in the state.
“Dedicated to improving the quality of life for Connecticut’s residents, CMHA offers a continuum of programs that change the lives of 7,300 children and adults annually,” the website reads. “CMHA is the state’s first fully Joint Commission accredited Behavioral Health Home and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.”
The cost to participate is $45 per player. To register or to volunteer, visit cmhacc.org.