PHOTO PROVIDED Penny Eifrig stands with Ukrainian and Canadian pickleball enthusiasts.

Lemont — Penny Eifrig, a dedicated pickleball player hailing from Lemont, has returned home after an extraordinary 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 Penny 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 diverse range of participants of all ages, nationalities, sizes, and abilities. This empowering experience highlighted how the sport is gradually gaining traction in Europe and how ambassadors from the USA, like Penny, are playing a pivotal role in advancing the sport on the global stage.

Following her inspiring contributions in Berlin, Penny set her sights on Croatia, a country at the brink of the exciting world of pickleball. 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 Penny’s 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 the fervent Croatian-Canadian pickleball enthusiast, Mirijana Juras, Penny’s host during the trip, their journey continued to the enchanting 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 Penny and Mirijana in making history as they became the first to play on the recently established and very first permanent pickleball courts in Croatia, a testament to the tireless efforts of Mirijana to bring pickleball to her home on Brac.

From there, Penny and Mirijana’s pickleball odyssey continued to the birthplace of the visionary inventor, Nikola Tesla. Their pickleball demonstration at the historic site of his birth received immense 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, Penny was greeted by a devoted group of about 20 local pickleball enthusiasts. Over five days of training, Penny shared her knowledge and expertise, witnessing the continual advancement of their skill levels. The trip’s grand finale was Pickleball Day, a spectacular event organized by Dr. Steven Pavletic, president of the Association of Croatian-American Professionals and a passionate pickleball player from the DC area. The event drew dignitaries such as former Croatian president, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, who also serves on the Croatian Olympic Committee, alongside current and former US ambassadors in the region. Together, Penny and her Croatian and American newly found friends introduced the sport to over 100 pickleball newbies, demonstrating how enthusiastic all kinds of new players became immediately upon learning the game.

Penny Eifrig’s exciting 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 beautiful shores on the Adriatic to play and relax in the island harbor town of Milna, where American players will enjoy the local culture while the 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 US pickleball players, when we come and share our love of pickleball with the locals,” Penny stated.