Help bring courts to Gospić!

Help Pickleball Build a Brighter Future in the Heart of Croatia

In the heart of Croatia, surrounded by mountains, forests, and the wide-open landscapes of Lika, lies Gospić.

It is a place of remarkable natural beauty, near to the famous Plitvice Lakes, but also one that still carries the scars of the Croatian War of Independence. Damaged buildings and the memories of conflict are reminders of a difficult past that continues to shape the community.

For more than three years, Pickleball Club Nikola Tesla has been introducing the sport to children, adults, and families throughout Gospić and the surrounding rural region. Through grassroots determination, community events, clinics, and tournaments, a small group of local enthusiasts has built something bigger than a sports club. Children are discovering the joy of play. Adults are finding new friendships. Even veterans are finding moments of connection and happiness on the court.

Since the beginning,international pickleball players have been part of this story. Penny Eifrig, founder of Effen Smith Pickleball, has helped connect Gospić with the international pickleball community through Croatian travel experiences, clinics, and tournaments that bring visiting athletes together with local players.

Now, the community is ready for its next step.

Four pickleball courts have been approved in Gospić, but funding is still needed to build them. These would bring dedicated outdoor pickleball facilities to the rural heartland of Croatia, expanding a sport that has already taken root in Zagreb and along the Dalmatian coast.

The impact could reach far beyond the courts themselves. They would give local children and families a place to play, create new opportunities for community connection, and establish Gospić as a distinctive destination for pickleball travelers seeking an authentic Croatian experience beyond the usual tourist trail.

We're inviting international pickleball players—especially those who have visited Croatia, played alongside Croatian friends, or dream of discovering the country through pickleball—to help make these courts a reality.

· Give $100 or more for a chance to enjoy a five-day pickleball vacation (for two) on the beautiful island of Brač with a visit to Gospić to play on the new courts, hosted by Effen Smith Pickleball and supported by the Nikola Tesla Pickleball Club in Gospić.
· Donate $75 or more to have your name added to a permanent plaque honoring the people who helped build the courts.
· Everyone who donates will be invited to join us for the opening of the new courts (date TBD).

This is a chance to do more than fund a public sports facility. It's a chance to support a community that has worked hard to grow the sport, build friendships across borders, and create something positive for the next generation.

Four courts. One community. A world of possibilities.

Help us build them!