Pipinya Pickleball Sri Lanka champions teen survivors of trauma with Emerge Lanka Foundation
This month, in honor of International Day of the Girl Child, Pipinya Pickleball opened its state-of-the-art courts to youth from the Emerge Centre for Reintegration, creating a safe space for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and trauma to play, express themselves and let off steam. Emerge Lanka Foundation supports young survivors who have suffered childhood sexual abuse or the threat of it, and have spent their formative years in protective care. Among the small, but two-decade-old, organisation’s programmes is the Emerge Centre, which supports survivors who are exiting protective care and making the challenging transition back into society as adults. The Centre provides young women like this with a three-month residential programme, where they learn transformative skills like life skills, reproductive health, self-defense (to name a few!) and also go through individualized mental health support. Currently, Emerge is working with its 10th batch at the Centre, and will see them graduating from this programme at the end of October with new opportunities and skills. Emerge has grown with the support of a strong community, recently adding Pipinya Pickleball’s growing community to its list of those championing the protection of children.
Recognizing the rapid growth of this sport and understanding the profound impact that sports can have on a survivor's life — helping them regain control over their lives, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and experience joy in a safe, supportive setting — Emerge Lanka Foundation was extremely excited by this new partnership. With a high energy, sensitive and encouraging young team, Pipinya Pickleball Sri Lanka makes you feel at one on the court. The programme participants of the Emerge Centre took to the court in a matter of minutes and enjoyed every second of their day with Pipinya.
This exposure visit was only the starting point in this partnership. Pipinya Pickleball Sri Lanka organised a Fundraiser Pickleball Tournament on 12 October 2024 at their venue where all proceeds were donated to Emerge Lanka Foundation. As true champions of the cause, they ensured that everyone registering for the tournament knew the impact of their registration fee and knew that they were playing for a cause. As the day kept inching closer, their digital audience learned about the incredible young programme participants of Emerge and their dreams via Pipinya’s social media platforms. The tournament hosted 40 novice and pro players from all areas of the island, ready to play with a collective purpose that empowered everyone at the event and beyond. The pickleball community applauds every single tournament participant. Winners of the various categories from the Fundraiser Pickleball Tournament included:
Women's Doubles - Amani Haniffa + Aneesha Lahir
Men's Doubles (No-Pro) - Erik Lauverjat + Pascal Gavotto
Mixed Doubles - Mehenaz Zaveer + Sankha Athukorale
Men's Doubles (Pro) - Sankha Athukorale + Romesh Nallaperuma
Even the tournament trophies were handmade by Emerge programme participants, and each winner carried them home with pride.
Every rupee raised through the Fundraiser Pickleball Tournament will make an impact through Emerge Lanka’s work with survivors as they heal, empower and emerge.