SCARBOROUGH -- Pickleball enthusiasts from Maine, New England, and beyond will meet at the Maine Sports Arena in Saco later this month to raise funds for the Scarborough-based non-profit, the Kids First Center.

 This action-packed event, set to take place over three days, July 21, 22, and 23, will showcase the best in pickleball talent and provide a memorable experience for players and spectators alike.

The tournament is sanctioned by USA Pickleball and its rules for round-robin play will govern.

Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the United States, has captivated millions with its unique blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.

Partnering with the Kids First Center is the tournament host, the Maine Sports Arena.

“This is one of the few sanctioned tournaments in Maine this summer. We expect some of Maine’s finest pickleball players to compete at this inaugural event,” said Director of Portland Pickleball Steve Haines, who is also the facility manager for Maine Sports Arena.

USA Pickleball Association Regional Director Rocky Clark is also pleased to see the tournament scheduled for this summer.

“Let’s all put Kids First and enjoy a fun pickleball tournament in Saco, Maine,” he said.

The Kids First Pickleball Tournament is set to be a celebration of the game while raising awareness of the mission of Kids First. The tournament will feature a variety of competitive brackets, ensuring that players of every level have an opportunity to participate and test their skills against like-minded competitors. The tournament director is Joe Santoro of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Along with running many charity tournaments, Santoro is a past officer of the Board of Directors at USA Pickleball, serves on the Board of Directors of the Pickleball Hall of Fame, and is the USA Pickleball Referee Training Coordinator for the Atlantic Region.

The indoor climate-controlled event will be held at the Maine Sports Arena, 15 Lunt Road, Saco, with nine hardwood pickleball courts, ample spectator seating, and free parking. The tournament will also feature vendor and exhibitor tables.

“We are thrilled to launch the first Kids First Pickleball Tournament,” said Timothy Robbins, executive director of the Kids First Center. “Pickleball is a sport that brings people together, promotes healthy competition, and creates lasting friendships. We welcome players and fans from all over to provide an unforgettable experience that showcases Maine’s best of this incredible sport.”

Anyone interested in volunteering at this event should contact the Kids First Center at (207) 761-2709.

Registration for the tournament is now open, and players are encouraged to secure their spots early due to limited availability. For more information and to register, visit the official tournament registration page at https://t.ly/R0g-kidsfirstpickleball .

Established in 1998, Kids First Center is committed to keeping children out of the middle.  Through its educational programming for parents and outreach efforts, Kids First reinforces positive co-parenting communication skills and supports separated parents’ efforts to raise healthy, happy, and well-adjusted children.