Foundation
Learn, grow and compete

On July 2023, my beautiful mother, ANITA, left us to become another star in the sky. As an educator, having a passion for sport, and her love for sharing her passions with children, I felt compelled to do something in her name and have her light continue to shine as it echoes in the hearts of those who knew her.

My name is Carlos Argote, I am Anita's youngest of three children and am originally from Guanajuato, México, and recently have been splitting my time between Barra de Navidad, México and Okotoks, AB, Canada. After discovering the vibrant Pickleball community in Barra, I found myself captivated by the sport, which my mother also enjoyed. The sport brings people together, builds friendships, and creates community.

The ANITA Pickleball Foundation & Academy was created to keep her spirit alive, spreading love, joy, and the values she bestowed upon us. Anita had an infectious joyful energy and always found a reason to smile. Through the foundation we want to create that smile in others, most importantly with the young in our community who often don't have the same opportunities as we've had.

Through our Pickleball academy, we will bring the sport and people together with enjoying the game and having fun at the forefront as we develop young skills. Anita loved seeing how sport brings people of all walks together, and making Pickleball more accessible and affordable is our goal. This platform will allow us to gain trust and in a less formal manner speak to our youth about topics important to them. As a mom Anita taught her children the importance of education, how to carry themselves, have self esteem, and stand up for the things they believe. Sharing these important foundations and giving the tools to the new generation to equip them for facing challenges, are are the goals of the foundation and academy.

Some upcoming events are the organization of street clean ups, as Anita was a stickler for cleanliness and the enviroment,for Christmas and Three Kings Day we will be bringing small gifts to children in the small towns in the Barra area, and of course putting together Pickleball workshops.

We invite you to be a part of the Anita movement and encourage you to be a part of and support the foundation. We are excited and proud as we build this legacy in Anita's name and thank you for your support.

For donations, ideas, or volunteer time for the foundation please contact : Siera Sawatzky (403) 978 9291.

We love you, ANITA.