LEMONT — Penny Eifrig, a dedicated pickleball player hailing from Lemont, has returned home after a journey as an international pickleball ambassador in Europe this summer. Her mission took her to Germany and Croatia, where she passionately shared the sport, leaving a lasting impact on pickleball enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.
The adventure began in June when Eifrig took center stage at the World Special Olympics Expo in Berlin, Germany. As an ambassador for pickleball, she had the opportunity to join a group from Butler University to teach the game to a participants in a diverse range of ages, nationalities and abilities. This experience highlighted how the sport is gradually gaining traction in Europe and how ambassadors from the U.S., like Eifrig, are playing a pivotal role in advancing the sport on the global stage.
Following her contributions in Berlin, Eifrig set her sights on Croatia. In the coastal town of Makarska, she offered a well-received clinic at the first-ever Pickleball Event in Croatia. Approximately 25 Croatian and international players eagerly gathered to learn from her expertise, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and excitement for the sport’s future.
After the day of training, on June 25 she helped make history by participating in the country’s inaugural pickleball tournament. The tournament’s unique format, where players were paired with new partners for each game, ensured that everyone experienced success on the court, reinforcing the inclusive nature of pickleball.
Accompanied by fervent Croatian-Canadian pickleball enthusiast Mirijana Juras, Eifrig’s host during the trip, her journey continued to the island of Brac on the Dalmatian coast. Together, they captivated passersby in the historic town of Split, introducing the game to curious spectators who quickly were enticed after picking up the paddles. Two newbies were curious enough to take the ferry over to the island the next day to join Eifrig and Juras in making history as they became the first to play on the recently established first permanent pickleball courts in Croatia, a testament to the tireless efforts of Juras to bring pickleball to her home on Brac.
From there, Eifrig and Juras’ pickleball odyssey continued to the birthplace of the visionary inventor, Nikola Tesla. Their pickleball demonstration at the historic site of his birth received interest from the staff and guests and press, sparking discussions about incorporating pickleball as an additional attraction. The sport’s potential to become a cultural bridge was evident as people from various backgrounds connected as they experimented with the balls and paddles.
In Zagreb, Eifrig was greeted by a devoted group of about 20 local pickleball enthusiasts. Over five days of training, she shared her knowledge and expertise, witnessing the continual advancement of their skill levels. The trip’s grand finale was Pickleball Day, organized by Steven Pavletic, president of the Association of Croatian-American Professionals and a passionate pickleball player from the Washington, D.C., area. The event drew dignitaries such as former Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who also serves on the Croatian Olympic Committee. Together, Eifrig and her Croatian and American newly found friends introduced the sport to over 100 pickleball newbies.
Eifrig’s journey as an international pickleball ambassador has not only left an indelible mark on the European pickleball community but also reaffirmed the power of sports to bring people together across borders. She will be returning to the area in September and October to teach on a pickleball trip to Greece and then will return to the shores on the Adriatic to play and relax in the island harbor town of Milna, where American players will enjoy the local culture while local players will benefit from the expertise of the more advanced players from the States.
“I first discovered the Dalmatian coast in 1990, when I biked from Italy down the coast to the island of Brac. It was exciting to return to this incredible country, and I cannot wait to share their diverse culture and beautiful shores with other U.S. pickleball players, when we come and share our love of pickleball with the locals,” Eifrig stated.
