Phnom Penh: An afternoon of hope and solidarity around Pickleball at the Rose Club

What a joy it was to experience such a radiant and meaningful day at the Rose Club Pickleball Event, organised at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh! Combining sport, sharing and commitment, the event provided an exceptional opportunity to strengthen community links, support children from vulnerable neighbourhoods and enjoy a dynamic sport together.

Pickleball, a racket sport combining tennis, badminton and table tennis, is rapidly gaining in popularity in Cambodia. The event, which took place in the elegant surroundings of the Hotel Cambodiana, gave children and their carers the chance to enjoy a fun introduction to the sport under the guidance of Picklemonster.kh experts, while sharing laughter, meeting new people and enjoying the delicious food prepared by the hotel.

Shanty Town Spirit: Ermine Norodom's NGO at the heart of the action

At the heart of this event is Shanty Town Spirit, an association founded in 2013 by philanthropist Princess Ermine Norodom and her husband Prince Narithipong Norodom. This NGO works with dedication to improve the living conditions of Phnom Penh's most disadvantaged families, particularly those living in the precarious neighbourhoods of Beoung Trabek.

The spirit of Shanty Town Spirit is above all a deep-rooted desire for dignity and sharing, embodied in education, food aid, healthcare and child support programmes.

Thanks to constant work in the field and the loyal support of local and international partners, the association has transformed the lives of hundreds of families over more than a decade, creating a genuine community of mutual aid and hope.

The Rose Club: a circle of elegance and commitment

In 2024, Shanty Town Spirit launched the Rose Club, a philanthropic circle bringing together committed players from the private sector and civil society around a common mission: to secure sustainable funding for the NGO's projects while cultivating a network of caring and inspiring exchanges.

Under the chairmanship of Tony Francis, the Rose Club organises exclusive events such as pickleball, combining elegance and social commitment. As well as raising funds, these events create a strong social dynamic, linking companies, donors and volunteers around the values of solidarity, in a refined and convivial setting.

A day of sharing and hope

This event at the Rose Club was not just a sporting competition: it was a celebration of life, a moment of friendship, but also a strong show of solidarity with the children and families supported by Shanty Town Spirit.

By sharing these moments of joy, play and learning, the community is showing that, together, it can build a brighter future for Phnom Penh.

More than just a sport, pickleball has become a vehicle for social inclusion and connection between generations, forging a new community around healthy activities, while raising the profile of a vital cause.

"What a great day at the Rose Club Pickleball, held at the Hotel Cambodiana! We had the joy of helping children in the community while spending time networking, laughing and enjoying delicious food together," said Ermine Norodom.

This event marks another milestone in the history of Shanty Town Spirit and the Rose Club, and is testament to the collective energy that drives these initiatives. Together, they continue to write a beautiful story of hope, driven by the desire to make a concrete difference in the most deprived areas of Phnom Penh.

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