Kamloops Open pickleball tournament teams up with non-profit to make sports more accessible

May 19, 2026 | 5:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Open is a pickleball tournament hosted every year that welcomes some of the best players in the world to the Tournament Capital. The tournament has seen significant growth over the years, with new sponsorships, leading to more attendance and prize money. This year, pickleballers across the world gear up for the Comazzetto Group 2026 Kamloops Open.

“For the tournament, we’ve got more than 420 people signed up,” says Wilma Steinke, who is the tournament director. “Adding the money part to it has just brought in the top-level players. Some of the top players in Canada who you can see on TV are coming to the tournament.”

With Riverside Park sure to be busy with athletes and pickleball fans, a non-profit organization plans to take advantage of the traffic. Brett Forsythe is the founder of Back in Play, a community-driven nonprofit that aims to make sports more accessible, providing sports equipment to kids and adults who need it most.

“I’ve always been super involved in sports. I know what sports has given me,” says Forsythe. “To make sports more accessible for underprivileged kids and organizations that are on tight budgets, it’s just something that I’m really passionate about.”

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During the Comazzetto Group 2026 Kamloops Open, Back in Play will have a booth set up at Riverside Park, where people can bring their old sports equipment. Any equipment is appreciated, whether it’s adult/youth sizes, brand new or very well used.

“What happens is we’ll assess it on the spot and then through our partnership with Poach Pickleball. We will provide you a credit, which you can go and use at the Poach booth,” stated Forsyth. “Or what we’re hoping people will do is to donate some of that or all of the credit to Back in Play, and then we can take that credit and use it toward buying paddles for local schools that we partner with. Even if you think it’s a little too ratty, bring it on down and we’ll assess it.”

You can bring equipment anytime during the tournament, which will run from May 29 to 31. The Back in Play and Poach Pickleball booths will be operating from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cash donations are accepted, as well.

Residents are encouraged to come down and watch games at both Riverside Park and, for the first time this year, McDonald Park.

by Anthony Corea

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Kamloops Open pickleball tournament teams up with non-profit to make sports more accessible

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