Cincy TF in the News In

Contact: Jackie Reau, Game Day
(513) 708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com

Cincinnati Tennis Foundation launches new adaptive pickleball program with
major donation from pickleball enthusiast and author

CINCINNATI (April 6, 2023) – Cincinnati Tennis Foundation announced the formation of
its first-ever Adaptive Pickleball programs funded by a major donation from Larry
Blundred, the founder of Ollie Otter Enterprises, and will begin May 17, 6:30 p.m.
Registration is now open for the monthly Adaptive Pickleball Program.
Pickleball, a mix of tennis and ping-pong, is the fastest-growing sport in America, and
adaptive pickleball is a program for people with physical, cognitive, and developmental
challenges, according to Matt Dektas, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Tennis
Foundation. “The new program is one of the first in America and will create a safe and active program for our community thanks to the generous donation from Larry Blundred,” Dektas said.

Blundred is the founder of Ollie Otter Enterprises, a pickleball focused company, which
includes music videos and two popular children’s books: “How Pickleball Saved Ollie
Otter,” published by Blundred in 2020 and “Ollie and His Pickleball Friends Return
Home: The Story Continues…” published in 2022. Both books use the game of
pickleball and animal characters such as Ollie Otter, Robby Raccoon, Wally Wallaby
and Pauly Penguin to encourage compassion for differences among all people, young
and old, who find community, fun and purpose through the game of pickleball.
A member of the Cincinnati Pickleball and Sawyer Point Pickleball Clubs, Blundred is a
retired financial advisor and a former marketing executive in Cincinnati.
Blundred’s contribution to the Cincinnati Tennis Foundation will also provide annual
scholarships and additional programming support. For additional information, call 513-
204-9063 or email info@cincinnatitennisfoundation.org.

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About Cincinnati Tennis Foundation
Since 2015, Cincinnati Tennis Foundation has offered opportunities to thousands of students and players across parks, schools, youth centers, and clubs across Cincinnati and its urban core.  Our programming includes tennis, pickleball, education, and character building instruction.  We work hard to make these sports accessible for everyone, including a focus on wheelchair and adaptive programs.  In addition, through our NJTL Performance Program we have helped kids receive over $5 million in athletic and academic scholarships at top universities.