Support for the Lighthouse Foundation

Brodies host pickleball tournament; Sons of Kent launches beer

Number three is in the books.

A large number of teams and players of all ages were scheduled to meet in Dresden this weekend for the third annual “Rally at the Barn” pickleball tournament.

The event’s organizers are NHL defenseman TJ Brodie and his wife Amber. Brodie said more than 150 people would attend at the Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre.

“It’s great to see so many young people getting excited about pickleball. It’s a sport that anyone can play,” he said. “The whole family can have fun together.”

The participants played in men’s, women’s and mixed classes and there was a youth training session on Sunday.

The event is a fundraiser for the Brodies’ charity, The Lighthouse Foundation (TLF), which raises funds to support people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Amber was diagnosed with MS in 2015 and one of TJ’s cousins ​​has been battling CF for much of his life.

It also coincides with the annual release of Sons of Kent’s amber lager ‘The Rally’, another fundraising opportunity for TLF.

Doug Hunter, one of the owners of Sons of Kent, said the Brodies approached the brewery three years ago to request assistance.

“They asked us to brew a beer. It was a huge hit and it’s for a good cause,” he said. “We like to support charities and this was pretty close with TJ and Amber.”

The beer is available on tap and in cans. All proceeds go to TLF.

TJ said the support from Sons of Kent was greatly appreciated.

“Doug has been great from the beginning. He has helped us every step of the way,” he said.