On Monday, Franklin Sports, in partnership with CityPickle and City Parks Foundation, hosted a youth pickleball clinic and fundraising event featuring World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and her mother, Leigh Waters.

The event welcomed 40 teenage girls from across New York City for an afternoon of on-court instruction, demonstrations, and Q&A sessions led by Anna Leigh and Leigh alongside CityPickle teaching professionals.

The girls participate in CityParks Play’s Girls Forward, which creates safe and empowering spaces for girls ages 13-16 to play and stay in sports, led by female coaches.

"Pickleball has given me so many incredible opportunities, and it's really important to me to help introduce more young girls to the sport,” said Anna Leigh. “Getting to share this experience alongside my mom makes it especially meaningful because she's been at the center of my journey from the very beginning."

The event at CityPickle Times Square included a special fundraising “Play the Pro” session that offered select players a chance to test their skills against the mother/daughter duo. 

Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit CityParks Play, City Parks Foundation’s free youth sports program serving 9,000 children across New York City each year. The program helps young New Yorkers access year-round sports instruction, mentorship, fitness, and wellness opportunities in city parks throughout the five boroughs.

"One of the best parts of pickleball is how quickly it can build confidence and connection," said Mary Cannon, Co-Founder of CityPickle. "It's a sport that encourages players to step outside their comfort zones, support one another, and have fun along the way."

“We’re proud to partner with CityPickle and City Parks Foundation to help create meaningful opportunities for young athletes to experience the excitement and accessibility of pickleball,” said Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports. “Anna Leigh Waters has been an incredible advocate and leader within the sport as a whole, and watching her inspire the next generation together makes this event especially impactful. As pickleball continues to grow across the country, Franklin Sports remains committed to supporting the sport at every level from grassroots youth programming to the game’s biggest stages, and we’re excited to be part of an event that helps introduce more young players to the lifelong benefits of staying active through sport.”