The Frugal Dutchman sponsors kids to compete in Pokémon championship

Two local kids are preparing to compete in international Pokémon tournaments with support from The Frugal Dutchman.

Nine-year-old Poppy Kentie and 10-year-old Anderson Kentie, who are both among the shop’s strongest junior players, are travelling to regional events in Milwaukee and Toronto after competing in Pittsburgh this month.

The shop’s owner, Christian Kentie, who is also a longtime judge in competitive Pokémon, says supporting young players matters for both family and community.

“These tournaments are big events with thousands of players, and for a kid it can be daunting,” Kentie told Fort Erie Radio on Monday. “The fact that Poppy played at the level she did in her first major competition, we were super happy with how it turned out.”

Kentie began sponsoring youth players last year, starting with his son Anderson. His niece Poppy earned her sponsorship this season after recording 10 game wins in Pittsburgh.

“She went to Pittsburgh not sponsored and earned her sponsorship while she was there, which is fantastic,” said Kentie.

Anderson, who started competing at nine, earned his first Toronto regional trip after meeting a goal set by his father to gain sponsorship. He placed 99th out of 157 players in his division and has continued to improve.

Kentie said the program is less about winning than about building confidence and resilience.

“I like to tell our players, if you’re having a rough weekend, the best thing you can do is have more fun losing than the guys have winning,” he said.

The Frugal Dutchman runs weekly Pokémon league nights every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., which are free and open to the public. The shop also hosts monthly league challenges and quarterly league cups, where players can earn points toward qualifying for the world championships.

Kentie said competitive play brings more than fun, it offers young kids a chance to sharpen their reading skills while building confidence in a supportive environment.

“The game helps with cognitive thought, with motivation to learn how to read, with strategic thinking, problem solving, and reacting responsibly,” he said. “It’s a long list of benefits, and simply playing the game can bring them in a very organic way.”

He added that many families discover the community atmosphere once they attend. Parents who had little interest in Pokémon often get drawn in while watching their kids play.

Locals interested in getting involved can join the Wednesday league nights at The Frugal Dutchman on Ridge Road North, whether they are new to Pokémon or seasoned collectors.

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