Umbra’s Post

🏓 Exciting News for Garner, Iowa! The new pickleball courts in Garner have quickly become a community favorite, attracting people from all walks of life seeking a fun recreational activity. The popularity of the courts reflects the growing trend of pickleball participation across the U.S., seeing a remarkable 650% increase in the last six years according to USA Pickleball. 🇺🇸 Mayor Tim Schmidt's commitment to providing recreational opportunities, like the well-maintained pickleball courts, is a testament to the city's dedication to its residents' well-being. Investing in facilities like these not only fosters physical activity but also contributes to the economic growth of communities, as noted by the Urban Land Institute. Amidst the rise of recreational sports, the initiative in Garner aligns with creating inviting spaces for all ages and skill levels – truly highlighting the positive impact of community engagement and investment in public health and well-being. Have you tried pickleball yet? What recreational activities do you enjoy the most? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🌟 #pickleball #recreation #communityengagement #publichealth

We just read this great article all about the connection that pickleball provides, that we are all craving, that breeds true friendship. It's a great read! Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gN3FaKRt #pickleball #connection #friends

At some point over the next couple of days, take a #Timeout and watch this four minute segment featuring our own NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, alongside Adam Silver, Roger Goodell, and Robert Kraft. This terrific #Timeout Against Hate partnership, led by Robert Kraft's foundation, should make us all pause, reflect, and unite to fight hate. Mr. Kraft says it best: "In sports, we call a 'timeout' when things are heading in the wrong direction and right now, in our country, hate is winning, and we need to change the momentum. By uniting under a common cause, we amplify our message and demonstrate that the power of sports extends beyond stadiums, arenas and fields, and into our communities. This initiative is a call to action for everyone to join us in creating a world where hate is met with a unified stand for empathy, understanding, and respect." https://lnkd.in/gw6J28_W

“Building a strong community is all about connecting with others, and what better way to do it than through pickleball? This sport has a unique way of bringing people together—whether you’re a seasoned player or just picking up a paddle, everyone’s welcome on the court. It’s more than just a game; it’s a way to foster camaraderie, teamwork, and health. Let’s keep growing our communities, one serve at a time! 🏓” #Community #Pickleball #Teamwork #Networking #CommunityEngagement #Leadership #HealthAndWellness #Sportsmanship #ActiveLifestyle #SocialConnection #Inclusivity #NetworkingThroughSports #HealthyCommunities #BuildingBonds #PositiveImpact

🏗️ A First Look Inside Our World-Class Facility at Rea Farms We are excited to share an exclusive inside look at the future home of Slay Basketball—a state-of-the-art training facility opening at Rea Farms in November 2025. This cutting-edge facility is designed to redefine basketball development and athletic performance in the Charlotte region. Facility Highlights: • 2 Full NBA-Regulation Courts for elite training and competition • 12 Baskets to support dynamic and high-volume skill development • Advanced Strength & Conditioning Center for comprehensive athletic training • Sports Science Lab dedicated to injury prevention, recovery, and performance optimization This will be the most advanced and exclusive basketball facility in the region, built for athletes committed to reaching their highest potential. A Special Thank You to Our Partners: We are proud to collaborate with industry leaders who are helping bring this vision to life: 🤝 Rob Taylor of Taylor Capital – Strategic investment and support for long-term growth. 🏥 Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates – Prioritizing athlete health and performance. 💪 Architect Sports – Delivering expert sports performance and recovery solutions. Strategic Growth Opportunities: • Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships • Elite Training Programs for youth and professional athletes • Community Engagement & Youth Development Initiatives 📲 Learn more about partnership opportunities and upcoming programs: https://lnkd.in/ej_4piS6 Tamar Slay Founder & CEO Slay Basketball #SlayBasketball #AthleteDevelopment #EliteTraining #SportsPerformance #BasketballFacility #CharlotteBusiness #YouthDevelopment #ReaFarms #SportsScience

🌟 Sportsmanship Lead with Compassion: A Ripple Effect of Kindness 🌟 In the midst of a fierce match between the New York Red Bulls and Inter Miami, there was a moment that transcended the boundaries of competition—a moment that showcased the power of one individual to inspire collective action. As rain poured down relentlessly, one player from the New York Red Bulls noticed the discomfort of the children accompanying them. Without hesitation, he removed his own jacket and shielded the youngsters from the elements. His act of compassion sparked something profound. What followed was nothing short of remarkable. One by one, his teammates followed suit, offering their jackets to protect the children from the rain. It was a beautiful display of solidarity and empathy, driven by the simple gesture of one player. This moment serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have. By leading with kindness and compassion, we have the ability to inspire others to do the same. In a world often defined by division, the actions of this player and his teammates exemplify the beauty of coming together for the greater good. Let us take inspiration from their example and strive to be the catalysts for positive change in our own communities. Because when we lead with compassion, we not only uplift those around us but also create a ripple effect of kindness that can touch hearts and transform lives. #BeTheLight ✨

I’m curious to hear people’s opinions on Pickleball tenants… I say tenant as opposed to sport purposely. Everyone’s seen the explosion of interest for pickleball and how operators are rolling out new facilities catered specifically for it. Personally, I don’t doubt the level of hype and interest surrounding the SPORT. But I do have my doubts about the longevity and profitability of pickleball OPERATORS, ie having a pickleball tenant in your retail center or owning a STNL pickleball facility. Why? It’s pretty easy to create a pickleball court. Outdoor/indoor tennis and basketball courts can easily be converted and/or improved to include the addition of pickleball. This is already happening pretty regularly in parks and residential communities. And the same way townships have children and adult basketball leagues, couldn’t they do the same for pickleball, while utilizing elementary/middle school/high school gyms and local parks? Am I over simplifying the barriers of entry? What do you think the future of pickleball as a business looks like? Is it a flash in the pan? Or is there real sustainability? #cre #commercialrealestate #pickleball #realestate Progress Realty Partners

What are the Educational, Health, or Economic Benefits to these Players and their Families for that kids uncompensated participation in any additional “NON-SCHOLARSHIP” private third-party postseason football games that pay the Universities and the Conferences for the use of their free labor to put on these highly profitable Bowl events. The answer is ZERO! These additional 1-5 POSTSEASON games are also above the Players’ 12 game athletic scholarship agreement? Our Proposal offers Major Benefits in all three Categories to the Players and their Families! Scholarship Football Players are owed Hundreds of Millions of dollars from this year’s Media contract that uses these Players’ Name, Image, and Likeness NIL without any equitable financial consideration to the Players or their Families! This lost Money could have a major impact on these Players lives, the lives of their current and future family members for generations? We do not support, or agree with the House vs NCAA Settlement or the current covert attempts to extend and expand this Antitrust exploitation of our young (mostly minority) FB & BB Players' labor that the US Supreme Court and Federal District Court have recently struck down as illegal and implausible.

As the second official Annual General Meeting of the Cleves Sport Group approaches, we can't help but reflect on the whirlwind journey which has brought us to this point. What started as a simple idea - to get some washed up athletes back together to scratch that competitive itch - has grown into a fully-fledged community. Cleves now spans multiple sports across myriad leagues, but what continues to define us (and unite us) are our core values: Community, Leadership, Energy, Veracity, and Empathy. CLEVE. Undoubtedly, there have been bumps along the way; and undoubtedly there will be several more to come. However, when we look out and see the collection of incredible individuals who now proudly call themselves Cleves, we are more confident than ever that our organization will continue going from strength to strength. We may have gotten the ball rolling, but the idea of Cleves has taken hold, and it is now a self-sustaining enterprise. And we could not be more proud. Once a Cleve, always a Cleve. - Evan, Max, and Esteban

Kru Live held a sports day! Seasoned Kru veterans and new faces competed side by side, revealing hidden talents and sparking friendly rivalries. It wasn't just about the races or games - it was about building stronger bonds beyond our desks and the day to day. It was reminiscent of a school sports day but with a grown-up twist – we weren't just running and jumping; we were laying foundations for better teamwork and communication. This break from routine reminded us of a crucial fact: play isn't just for kids. It's a powerful tool for building trust, enhancing collaboration and obviously, having fun! We’re making this an annual thing, Kru Sports Day is where team spirit meets team building, regardless of tenure or title. ---------------------- 🌐 We’re Kru Live, a global live engagement agency 🎯 Founded by Tom Eatenton 👋 Lead by our CEO Sarah-Jane Benham 👊 #WeBelieveInTheExperience 💪 We put experience at the heart of everything we do 🏆 We provide award winning staffing & entertainment 📍 We have global coverage Do you want to see more from us? 🔔 Ring the bell on our profile to see all our posts #️⃣ Follow #KruLiveGlobal ➕ Connect with us #KruLive #BrandExperiences #EventProfs #EventStaffing #LoveForPeople