For John Raschilla (JR) Pickleball on Padre is more than just a tournament, and he hopes it is for all of those that attend as well. It’s a week-long celebration of the sport and the island. The event includes free open play at the SPI Convention Center, clinics and lessons for beginners, daily social mixers, vendor booths, and giveaways. Whether you’re a competitive player or just looking to try something new, there’s something for everyone – especially Winter Texans.

Pickleball on Padre will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Center and Isla Grand Resort from January 26 through February 2. Hosted by the RGV Pickleball Association, full details can be found on their website at rgvpickleball.org.

The Pickleball on Padre event is hosted by the RGV Pickleball Association, something JR has been pivotal in forming along with others in the Valley that realized there was a need to bring structure, support, and access to the sport of pickleball across the RGV. He said what started as small local meetups quickly revealed a much larger demand – not just from seasoned players, but from schools, families, and community centers looking for a positive, healthy outlet.

“We realized that if we wanted to grow this sport responsibly and inclusively, we needed an organized effort to make sure all communities – especially youth and seniors – had the opportunity to play, learn, and benefit,” said JR about forming the organization. He is more than just one of the founding members, he is an ambassador, a level 2 certified instructor, and a national pickleball champion.

When Pickleball on Padre began, there were maybe 15 people in a single tournament, said JR. “Last year, we had more than 250 participants – and thousands more showed up just to watch”

Through events like Pickleball on Padre, the organization has hosted clinics, provided free gear, and even helped Isla Grand Resort convert two of its tennis courts into permanent pickleball courts to accommodate the demand.

The Pickleball on Padre event is their most exciting event. For the first time, they will be hosting a dual-sanctioned tournament. The indoor tournament will be sanctioned by the United States Senior Pickleball Association (USSPA), and the outdoor tournament will be sanctioned by the United States Pickleball Association (USPA). The indoor tournament will focus on the over 50-year-old picklers, and the outdoor tournament will be open to all ages and levels. There will also be an opportunity for those new to pickleball to compete.

The goal of this event, and the association, is to make the RGV a pickleball destination. The sport has dramatically increased its presence in the RGV with many courts opening up throughout the Valley like RGV Pickle in Harlingen, and facilities in SPI, Brownsville, Pharr, McAllen, and Mission – and don’t forget how many courts are now open at many senior parks in the RGV as well.

Every dollar raised during the event goes right back into pickleball development in the Rio Grande Valley, said JR. “We’ve never taken a salary – our team is entirely volunteer-based.”

In just a few years, the organization has partnered with multiple school districts, hosted free clinics for kids during school breaks, and worked with PE teachers across cities like Harlingen, Mission, Brownsville, and South Padre Island to introduce pickleball into their programs.

Funds help them provide free paddles and equipment for local schools, to host free youth camps during the summer and winter breaks, to support seniors with access facilities and programming, and to reach their goal of becoming an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to expand their mission. They are currently in the process of completing their nonprofit registration, which will open up even more opportunities to give back.

The association also continues to assist the Veteran community with fundraising. They have ran tournaments for the South Texas Afghanistan Veterans Association, The Laguna Madre Veterans Association, The Port Isabel Veterans United Association, the local chapter of the Wounded Warrior Project, the Salvation Army, and with the help of Elena Villarreal (owner of RGV Pickle located at 6201 FM 106, in Harlingen), allowing them to use her facility, it has made a huge impact assisting these organizations.

If you want to help out the organization, they welcome volunteers for event support, donations, business sponsors for future programs, and community partners who want to help bring pickleball to their own town. If someone wants to get involved with the association, they can reach out directly to JR by calling him at (413) 896-0756. Or you can visit their website at rgvpickleball.org.

“We truly believe in the power of pickleball to bring people together – across generations, cultures, and communities,” said JR. “Events like Pickleball on Padre help us create moments of joy, movement, and connection, right here in South Texas.”