The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) partners with The Kitchen Dink to unleash the power of pickleball’s next champions, naming the popular apparel brand as the official leisure partner of the APP’s Next Gen platform.
APP Next Gen is the first-of-its-kind development platform for pickleball’s aspiring pros ages 16-23. Since 2021, the three-day tournaments feature educational seminars and coaching opportunities from industry veterans and APP pros before competing for a portion of the $15,000 prize purse. Top players also have the opportunity to compete on a national and international level with the APP.
“The future of pickleball relies on creating meaningful opportunities to uplift the next generation of stars,” said Tom Webb, APP chief marketing officer. “We’re pleased to welcome The Kitchen Dink as an official partner of our Next Gen program based on our shared goal of empowering pickleball players of all ages and skill levels. Now, these talented young athletes will have a brand by their side to keep them fashionable and comfortable as they pursue their pickleball dreams.”
The popular pickleball apparel brand will have a significant on-site presence at the 2024 APP Next Gen Series events, which are scheduled for February 16-18 in San Antonio, July 18-21 in St. Louis and November 22-24 in Dallas.
“If one kid gets to attend college on a pickleball scholarship, then we have succeeded in our mission and everything else after that is just a bonus,” said The Kitchen Dink Founder Adam Bender.
The APP expanded the Next Gen platform in 2023 with the creation of the APP Next Gen National Team, which was comprised of 12 of the nation’s top up-and-coming pickleball professionals under the age of 23. APP Next Gen National Team members attend training camps, receive coaching and mentoring, undergo evaluation and represent the APP in international events. More information about the APP Next Gen Series, its upcoming events and registration is available at theapp.global.
