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FOR ALL THE INS AND OUT ABOUT
THE PINKSTER TOURNAMENT
EUROPE’S OLDEST LGBTQIA+ TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Our mottoSmashing normality!
In essence, “Smashing Normality” serves as a rallying cry for inclusivity, diversity, and empowerment within the context of both tennis and the broader LGBTQIA+ community. It encourages participants to break free from stereotypes, celebrate their authenticity, and create an environment where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feels welcome and accepted.
our sponsors
Tournament program
17th - 20th of may 2024
16:00 – 18:00 Openings Clinic
Each year we invite our sponsors to take part in the openings clinic of the Pinkster Tournament. Smashing Pink’s main trainer Cindy creates a welcoming atmosphere, even for those who have never held a racket in their hands before.
18:00 – 22:00 Welcome drink & Registration Players
We would like to invite all participants to join our welcome drink at the tennis venue. Here you have the possibility to meet old and new friends, show gratitude to some of our sponsors and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. We’ll treat everyone with a free glass of bubbles!
This is also the perfect time for you to register your presence for the tournament and to receive your PNKSTR Goodie Bag.
19:00 – 22:00 Opening toss
Let’s be real: we’re all here to play tennis. And because we know so many of you can’t wait to set foot on the courts we organise a toss to get the party going. In rounds of 30 minutes you’ll be able to meet and play with other players and start making new friends.
08:30 – 23:00 Tennis matches
The first matches of the tournament are starting!
11:00 – 17:00 Warming up lessons
We are teaming up with We Are Queer Gym in Amsterdam to guide all our participants into a more healthy tennis lifestyle. While playing a GLTA tournament, it’s important to take good care of your body. The coaches of We Are Queer Gym will help you with warming up, cooling down and stretching after your matches.
Follow their classes on the following time slots:
11:00 – 11:15
12:30 – 12:45
14:00 – 14:15
15:30 – 15:45
17:00 – 22:00 Community market
To showcase all that Amsterdam has to bring to the LGBTQIA+ community, we’re inviting several queer-owned businesses to showcase their product, service or organisation.
08:30 – 19:00 Tennis matches
After the first successful day of playing tennis we make ourselves ready for yet another day!
20:00 – 01:00 Players Dinner & Party
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Pinkster Tournament, we eagerly invite all of you to celebrate this milestone together during the Players Dinner & Party. To do so we organised a beautiful and unique location to come together and enjoy each others company.
Location: PONG Bar
Jan van Galenstraat 315, 1056 CB Amsterdam
09:00 – 23:00 Tennis matches
After an amazing night the sun comes up early and invites us for the third day of tennis matches.
09:00 – 15:00 Tennis matches
On this final day, the winners of the 30th Pinkster Tournament in Amsterdam will emerge and claim their triumph. For those who have completed their matches, we extend a warm invitation to join us in cheering on your fellow participants.
15:00 – 16:00 Winners ceremony
Time to celebrate all the talent that GLTA has to offer. With beautiful trophies and some last goodbyes. The Pinkster Tournament comes to an end. Hope to see you all next year!
16:00 – 18:00 Openings Clinic
Each year we invite our sponsors to take part in the openings clinic of the Pinkster Tournament. Smashing Pink’s main trainer Cindy creates a welcoming atmosphere, even for those who have never held a racket in their hands before.
18:00 – 22:00 Welcome drink & Registration Players
We would like to invite all participants to join our welcome drink at the tennis venue. Here you have the possibility to meet old and new friends, show gratitude to some of our sponsors and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. We’ll treat everyone with a free glass of bubbles!
This is also the perfect time for you to register your presence for the tournament and to receive your PNKSTR Goodie Bag.
19:00 – 22:00 Opening toss
Let’s be real: we’re all here to play tennis. And because we know so many of you can’t wait to set foot on the courts we organise a toss to get the party going. In rounds of 30 minutes you’ll be able to meet and play with other players and start making new friends.
08:30 – 23:00 Tennis matches
The first matches of the tournament are starting!
11:00 – 17:00 Warming up lessons
We are teaming up with We Are Queer Gym in Amsterdam to guide all our participants into a more healthy tennis lifestyle. While playing a GLTA tournament, it’s important to take good care of your body. The coaches of We Are Queer Gym will help you with warming up, cooling down and stretching after your matches.
Follow their classes on the following time slots:
11:00 – 11:15
12:30 – 12:45
14:00 – 14:15
15:30 – 15:45
17:00 – 22:00 Community market
To showcase all that Amsterdam has to bring to the LGBTQIA+ community, we’re inviting several queer-owned businesses to showcase their product, service or organisation.
08:30 – 19:00 Tennis matches
After the first successful day of playing tennis we make ourselves ready for yet another day!
20:00 – 01:00 Players Dinner & Party
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Pinkster Tournament, we eagerly invite all of you to celebrate this milestone together during the Players Dinner & Party. To do so we organised a beautiful and unique location to come together and enjoy each others company.
Location: PONG Bar
Jan van Galenstraat 315, 1056 CB Amsterdam
09:00 – 23:00 Tennis matches
After an amazing night the sun comes up early and invites us for the third day of tennis matches.
19:00 – 23:00 Cocktailbar
For everyone who wasn’t able to make it into the final rounds of the Pinkster Tournament we made sure there is still enough to be happy about. Let’s enjoy our last evening with some tasteful cocktails while we cheer on those who are still standing.
09:00 – 15:00 Tennis matches
On this final day, the winners of the 30th Pinkster Tournament in Amsterdam will emerge and claim their triumph. For those who have completed their matches, we extend a warm invitation to join us in cheering on your fellow participants.
15:00 – 16:00 Winners ceremony
Time to celebrate all the talent that GLTA has to offer. With beautiful trophies and some last goodbyes. The Pinkster Tournament comes to an end. Hope to see you all next year!
DINNER & PARTY
To mark the 30th anniversary of the Pinkster Tournament, we eagerly invite all of you to celebrate this milestone together during the Players Dinner & Party. To do so we organised a beautiful and unique location to come together and enjoy each others company.
Make sure to get your tickets on time, as there are limited spots available. Tickets can be bought through your GLTA registration.
Pongbar will provide us with various courses during a walking dinner. A selection of Asian street food, along with some classic snacks, offers something for every enthusiast. The cocktails and craft beers are irresistibly delicious and complement the food perfectly.
Afterwards Pongbar turns into a perfect for location for us to show our best dance moves. And next to that you’ll be able to utilize your tennis skills in a fun game of pingpong!
WARM UP
Together with We Are Queer Gym in Amsterdam we created these videos to help you with your warm up routine. With all the tennis matches you play during a GLTA tournament it is important to take good care of your body.
Let’s stay healthy together and prevent injuries!
SOLIdarity program
In the spirit of unity and inclusivity, our LGBTQIA+ tennis tournament is proud to announce the launch of our Solidarity Program in partnership with Pride & Sports. This initiative aims to break down barriers and welcome individuals who might otherwise be unable to participate due to financial constraints.
Our primary focus is on extending a warm invitation to members of marginalized groups within our community, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to engage in the joy of tennis.
Outreach program
Join the Pinkster Tournament’s tradition of global LGBTQIA+ support. Each year, our outreach program promotes a cause fighting for equal rights in less accepting regions. We raise funds to show solidarity and offer support to our LGBTQIA+ family worldwide. Help us make a difference and build a more inclusive world.
This year our outreach program focusses on two organisations: Queertopia and Pride & Sports. The money that will be raised will be evenly divided between both parties.
Our history
Smashing pinkIn 1993 a few gay and lesbian tennisplayers took the initiative to organise a friendly gay and lesbian tournament. 16 men and 16 women from various tennisclubs participated. The event took place on Pinkster Saturday.
In 1994 they organized the tournament again, this time as a preparation for those who were going to participate the Gay Games in New York. Amsterdam sent a strong delegation to the New York Gay Games because we were bidding to host the Gay Games in 1998 Amsterdam. You probably know that we won the bid!
Since 1995 the gay tennisplayers used a couple of courts on Saturday afternoons, and gradually their initiative attracted more participants. The idea for a gay and lesbian tennisclub was born. In 1996 Tom Bijlmer and Ed van Betuwe founded the first gay and lesbian tennisclub: Smashing Pink. The club got their first clay courts at NTC tennispark.
In the years to come Smashing Pink grew rapidly to over 400 gay and lesbian members. Once Amsterdam was elected to organize the Gay Games in 1998 the yearly Pinksterstennis became a rehearsal for organizing gay and lesbian tennistournaments on a larger scale. For clubmembers as well as for many others the Pinkster Tournament is a yearly highlight.