Author: Elizabeth Werner

Franklin X-40 and X-26 will be the exclusive balls for Pickleball Canada’s Regional and National Championships During the Five-Year Partnership

Stoughton, Mass. (June 22, 2023) – Franklin Sports, a leading manufacturer and retailer in the sporting goods industry, announced today that it has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Pickleball Canada, the National Sport Organization of the country’s fastest growing sport. As part of the agreement, Franklin’s signature X-40 and X-26 balls and wide assortment of paddles become the Official Balls and Paddle of Pickleball Canada.

Athletes across all provinces and territories will have opportunities to compete with Franklin pickleballs in the regional and national pickleball championships on an annual basis. The multi-year partnership kicks off this week at the Atlantic Regional Championship, taking place from June 23-25 in Bedford, Nova Scotia. By joining forces with Franklin, Pickleball Canada becomes the most recent property to select Franklin as an official ball partner, joining USA Pickleball, Pickleball England, and the Indian Pickleball Association.

During their engagement, Franklin Sports and Pickleball Canada will focus on growth initiatives for the sport, including providing support for the grassroots levels across Canada, and collaborating on ways to help pickleball athletes of all ages and backgrounds have access to the equipment they need to play the game. Both organizations deeply value inclusivity and making the sport as accessible as possible. Also, Franklin and Pickleball Canada will work to further develop pickleball programming focusing on youth athletes and equipping the next generation with a foundation for the sport across the country.

The crux of the partnership will feature an organic approach with onsite Franklin branding and activations at Pickleball Canada’s Regional and National Championships.

“We see pickleball rapidly becoming a global sport.” said Adam Franklin, President of Franklin Sports. “In working closely with Pickleball Canada, we can collaborate to help athletes of all ages and backgrounds have access to the products they need to be able to participate in all that pickleball has to offer. We will work together towards our shared vision for the growth of pickleball which allows many to share in all the wonderful social, mental and health benefits that pickleball affords. We’re looking forward to pushing the growth of pickleball in Canada to the next level with all our existing Canadian retail partners and now our new partners in Pickleball Canada.”

In Canada, Pickleball originated in the early 1970s, but its growth trajectory took off mainly in the last few years. Most notably, Pickleball Canada’s membership has grown over three times since 2021 and currently has over 51,000 members. Additionally, according to market research the organization conducted earlier this year with over 2,000 Canadian households, Pickleball Canada discovered an impressive 50% YOY increase from 2022 to 2023 in the number of females playing pickleball and the fastest growing player demographic segment being millennials between the ages of 18 – 34.

“This relationship between Franklin Sports and Pickleball Canada provides sustainability in the ball and paddle categories for our National and Regional Championships over the next five years,” said Peter Milovanovic, President of Pickleball Canada. “We look forward to working with such a well-known and established company with great pickleball products. Franklin Sports’ support and longstanding track record will help to grow pickleball in Canada.”

Franklin Sports, a global sporting goods brand that manufactures and sells thousands of products across many different categories, entered the pickleball market in early 2016 with the release of the X-40 ball. Just over 7 years later, the Massachusetts-based company offers a wide collection of pickleball products – paddles, balls, nets, and more – and has partnerships with several professional pickleball players including top US Pickleball Athletes JW and Jorja Johnson, as well as Europe’s #1 ranked pickleball athlete Louis Laville.

As the National Sport Organization for pickleball in Canada, Pickleball Canada also provides players with official rules, tournaments, rankings, and offers through valued partners like Franklin. In the coming months, both organizations will unveil new product packaging featuring Pickleball Canada’s marks and logos through Franklin’s network of more than 1,000 retailers across Canada. These products will direct consumers to learning more about Pickleball Canada and help to further tap its surging membership base into the over 1M+ players across Canada playing pickleball monthly.

For more information about Pickleball Canada, please visit pickleballcanada.org. Pickleball players interested in learning more about Franklin’s collection of pickleball products can visit franklinsports.com/pickleball.

About Franklin Sports

Founded by Irving Franklin in 1946, Franklin Sports is a Stoughton, Massachusetts-based sporting goods brand that manufactures and sells over 10,000 products across many different categories. Franklin is the Official Batting Glove and Official PlayBall Equipment Partner of Major League Baseball (MLB), the Official Street Hockey Partner of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the brand is heavily involved with all of the leagues’ youth participation programs. Franklin also works with hundreds of elite athletes through sports equipment and apparel collaborations. Franklin is a multigenerational, family-owned business run by Adam Franklin, who succeeded his father, Larry, as president in 2019. Franklin’s rich history and trusted reputation as a quality sporting goods brand – from recreational sports all the way up to the professional level – has made it one of the perennial leaders in the industry. Celebrating its 75^thyear in business, Franklin continues to honor its tradition of providing athletes of all levels with excellent value across its full product collection, while also supporting various professional league’s growth initiatives and investing in popular emerging sports like pickleball. For more information on Franklin, please visit www.franklinsports.com or follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @franklinsports. 

About Pickleball Canada

Pickleball Canada is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in Canada. The Canadian Pickleball Association was established in 2009 and then incorporated as Pickleball Canada in 2011. The organization works to promote and develop the sport at all levels, from grassroots to high-performance. Their mission is to promote the growth and development of pickleball across the country by providing leadership, resources, and opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball Canada is responsible for the coordination and delivery of pickleball events across the country, including the National and Regional Championships, which brings together top players from across Canada to compete for the title of national champion. With a growing number of players and clubs across the country, pickleball is Canada’s fastest growing sport and Pickleball Canada is at the forefront of this exciting movement. For more information, please contact info@pickleballcanada.org or visit pickleballcanada.org

Contacts:

Jillian Tedeschi
Regan Communications
617-833-0507
jtedeschi@regancomm.com

Dane Gomez
Sponsorship Canada
647-784-4112
dane@sponsorshipcanada.com

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that registration has opened for the 2023 Pickleball Canada Central Regional Championship.  Central Regionals will be held from July 13^th to 16^th in Kingston, Ontario.  The location of Central Regionals alternates each year between Quebec and Ontario.

Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.  Events will take place at two venues – the Kingston Pickleball Club, and the nearby Invista Centre. As a Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournament, current international rules will be in effect, and interested players must be members of Pickleball Canada at time of registration.

Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President, said “I am very pleased to see the launch of registration for our Central Regional Championship. Scheduled during Kingston’s peak tourist season, the tournament should be a joyful celebration of pickleball and summer for locals and travellers alike.”

“We are thrilled to welcome players back to Kingston”, said Andrea Blackwell, President of the Kingston Pickleball Club. “We will leverage our experience in hosting large pickleball tournaments to ensure 2023 Central Regionals are one to remember!”

Kingston is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and Huron-Wendat First Nations. In Anishinaabemowin, this space is called “Gaadanokwii,” which is interpreted to mean “a great meeting place”.

Nestled where the St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, and Lake Ontario meet, the city’s lakeshore location is home to Ontario’s oldest public market with dozens of museums and historic sites, and dozens more unique shopping and dining experiences, Kingston offers something old and something new around every corner.

Individuals who want to participate can register on Pickleball Brackets at:  https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=3828800c-2a7c-4549-b334-efb7e05b87b0. Registration will remain open until July 4, 2023, if spaces remain in any events.

For more information, please contact:

Tournament Director Ryan Hanes:  twobouncesolutions@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada:  info@pickleballcanada.org

TORONTO / OTTAWA —May 3, 2023—Skechers, The Comfort Technology Company™, and Pickleball Canada today announce a partnership that names the brand as the Official Footwear Sponsor of the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship.  The agreement begins with the current season and will further establish Skechers’ prominent position in the fast-growing sport. 

We launched Skechers Viper Court footwear to a positive reaction from the pickleball community, athletes and fans,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Skechers currently sponsors every major elite professional pickleball tour in the United States and our athletes are winning on the court, so it’s the perfect time to expand our reach to the biggest circuit in Canada so that we can connect with more consumers across North America and around the world as they discover and fall in love with this incredible sport.”

Skechers kicked off 2022 by signing its first two elite pickleball athletes, Tyson McGuffin and Canadian Catherine Parenteau, who compete wearing Skechers pickleball footwear and Skechers-branded apparel. After introducing its pickleball collection at the US Open Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida last year, Skechers began to dominate the sport by sponsoring major tours including USA Pickleball, Major League Pickleball, the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) Tour, and the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour. Now, Skechers adds the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship to its sponsorship roster of existing major championships and tournaments across North America.

“I’m so proud to represent a brand that’s now part of growing the sport I love in my home country,” said Catherine Parenteau. “Pickleball matters, and we’re working together to help promote this movement in Canada.”

“The Pickleball Canada National Championship is our marquee annual event, so we are very happy to have a major brand like Skechers join us for this great event hosted by the Regina Pickleball Club,” said Peter Milovanovic, president of Pickleball Canada. “The number of pickleball players in Canada has increased significantly over the past few years and it is expected to continue to grow at a rapid rate as more Canadians are introduced to pickleball.” 

This year’s National Championship will be held August 23-27, 2023 in Regina, Saskatchewan, and is hosted by Pickleball Regina. Over 1,000 players across Canada are expected to compete in different categories, with athletes ranging in age from 16 to 75.  

Skechers pickleball footwear brings signature Skechers comfort and innovation to the court. The Skechers Viper Court provides responsive performance in a breathable, lightweight design. The enhanced grip and stability of the Goodyear® rubber outsole paired with a shock-absorbing Arch Fit® insole deliver comfort and support, match after match. The recently launched Skechers Viper Court Pro is a lighter and faster high-performance pickleball shoe designed and suitable for everyday players looking for stability and a secure platform in their game.

Styles in the Skechers pickleball footwear collection are available at Skechers retail stores and sketchers.ca as well as key retail partners and specialty shops.

About Skechers USA Canada, Inc. and Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

Skechers USA Canada, Inc. is a subsidiary of Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX), The Comfort Technology Company™ based in Southern California. Skechers designs, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. The Company’s collections are available in over 180 countries and territories through department and specialty stores, and direct to consumers through digital stores and over 4,500 Company- and third-party-owned physical retail stores. The Company manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, please visit about.skechers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

About Pickleball Canada

Pickleball Canada is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in Canada. The Canadian Pickleball Association was established in 2009 and then incorporated as Pickleball Canada in 2011. The organization works to promote and develop the sport at all levels, from grassroots to high-performance. Their mission is to promote the growth and development of pickleball across the country by providing leadership, resources, and opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball Canada is responsible for the coordination and delivery of pickleball events across the country, including the National and Regional Championships, which brings together top players from across Canada to compete for the title of national champion. With a growing number of players and clubs across the country, pickleball is Canada’s fastest growing sport and Pickleball Canada is at the forefront of this exciting movement. For more information, please contact please contact info@pickleballcanada.org  or visit pickleballcanada.org/

About Goodyear

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 72,000 people and manufactures its products in 57 facilities in 23 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to http://www.goodyear.com/corporate.

For more information on this partnership, please contact:

Dane Gomez
dane@sponsorshipcanada.com
C: 647-784-4112

  

The United States, Canada and Mexico align to promote the development and growth of pickleball across the Western Hemisphere

PHOENIX/OTTAWA/MEXICO CITY (April 20, 2023) — The National Governing Bodies for the sport of pickleball in the United States, Canada and Mexico today announced the creation and launch of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA).

The PFA is established to serve as the first continental pickleball federation in the Americas for the purpose of promoting the development and growth of pickleball throughout North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

Other recognized National Federations for pickleball in the Americas are encouraged to join the PFA as members of an organization and network that focuses on assistance and support for the international development of pickleball. 

“The formation of a continental pickleball federation is a much-needed development as we continue to support the recent explosion of pickleball, particularly in our region of the world,” said Robert Quicksilver, USA Pickleball Chairman of the Board of Directors. “With the launch of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas, we are thrilled to align with our colleagues across the Western Hemisphere and lend support to those beginning to build pickleball communities in their respective countries.”

“Along with my peers in the United States and Mexico, I am proud to help launch this federation and ensure that the sport of pickleball evolves as a safe, welcoming and respectful environment throughout the Americas,” said Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President. “We are committed to serving as stewards of this wonderful sport and guiding its development towards a culture that is wholly fair and equal.”

“I look forward to welcoming additional countries and national federations to this exciting alliance as we progress and take great strides forward,” said Javier Regalado, La Liga Profesional de Pickleball Mexico President. “We anticipate the coming years to witness the continued growth of pickleball around the world, and we hope to lead the way through mutual collaboration and visionary governance.”

Regalado will serve as the first Chair of the Board of Directors for PFA.

While representatives from USA Pickleball, Pickleball Canada and La Liga Profesional de Pickleball Mexico have led the establishment of the PFA and will comprise the initial leadership group, a nine-member Board of Directors will be formed this summer, comprised of leaders from other member countries.  

The PFA is established as a non-profit corporation that serves and exists to:

• Encourage the development of the sport of pickleball in the Americas ⎯ including providing access to advice/information/best practices in the areas of program development, administration, governance and communications.
• Coordinate efforts to position pickleball as a welcoming and accessible sport that fosters social connections and a sense of community.
• Organize continental championships, member national federations’ championships, and other major events.
• Support equity, diversity and inclusion within pickleball throughout the Americas.
• Help ensure that the culture of pickleball evolves as a safe sport, and a sport in which players, coaches, officials and volunteers experience a welcoming and respectful environment for all with a commitment to fair play and equal treatment.
• Encourage and support measures in competitions and with athletes that safeguard the integrity of pickleball and para pickleball and protect clean athletes through anti-doping efforts and the prevention of the manipulation of competitions.
• Encourage and support measures related to the medical care and health of the athletes who participate in PFA competitions.
• Serve as the official continental federation for pickleball in the Americas.

Member countries of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas will have direct access to a variety of resources, such as:

• Official Playing Rules
• Coaching and Officiating Materials
• Guidelines for Federation Websites, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation and Tournament Operations

To learn more about the Pickleball Federation of the Americas, or to apply for membership, please visit the PFA landing page at https://pickleballfederation-americas.org/

For more information on becoming a member country (applies to National Federation representatives only) of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas, please email: pickleballfederationamericas@gmail.com

USA Pickleball Media Contact:

Melissa Zhang, Director of Communications & Content: mzhang@usapickleball.org

Chuck Menke, Chief Marketing Officer: cmenke@usapickleball.org

Pickleball Canada Media Contact:

Tony Casey, Director of Global Affairs: tony.casey@pickleballcanada.org

La Liga Profesional de Pickleball Mexico Media Contact:

Natalia Bustamante, Marketing Director: natalia.bustamante@lppm.mx

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Pickleball Nova Scotia has been selected to host the 2023 Pickleball Canada Atlantic Regional Championship (Regionals). The event will be held from June 23^rd to 25^th, 2023 at the Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre in Bedford, NS. 

Over the course of three days, participants from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador will compete for the coveted title of the Atlantic Region’s best pickleball athletes of all ages. Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. As a Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournament, current international rules will be in effect.

“We are thrilled to have Pickleball Nova Scotia host this year’s Atlantic Regional Championship” said Deanna Christie, Vice President, Sport, Pickleball Canada. “The community’s passion for pickleball and their experience hosting events makes them the perfect location to showcase the talent of the region’s athletes. We thank them for taking on this opportunity and we look forward to a great event.”

“Pickleball Nova Scotia is proud to be hosting the 2023 Pickleball Canada Atlantic Regional Championship”, said Pat Morrison, President, Pickleball Nova Scotia. “This is going to be an opportunity for the top pickleball players from across all four Atlantic Provinces to go head-to-head over three full days.  Our own provincial championships are taking place in May and we have more than 400 players registered. We won’t be surprised to see over 500 players taking place in the Regionals!”

Registration will open on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Atlantic time.  Detailed information (including registration) on Atlantic Regionals can be found on Pickleball Brackets at:  https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=ae0f847b-18c5-4a45-aba1-e1ebcea24c2f.

Bedford is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This land is governed by the treaties of Peace and Friendship, first signed by the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey, Peskotomuhkatiyik, and the British Crown in 1726.

Bedford sits at the northwestern end of the Bedford Basin and offers brilliant views of the Halifax Harbour from DeWolf Park. The area is known for Sunnyside Mall, the charming Bedford Basin Farmers’ Market and Garden Centre, and historic Hemlock Ravine Park.

For more information, please contact:

Pickleball Nova Scotia: pickleballnovascotiaweb@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada:  info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that registration has opened for the 2023 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship (Regionals). Western Regionals will be held from July 6th to 9th, 2023 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. 

More than 500 players from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon are expected to compete for the coveted title of the Western Region’s best pickleball athletes in a broad range of age groupings. Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. As a Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournament, current international rules will be in effect, and interested players must be members of Pickleball Canada at time of registration.

Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President, said “I am very pleased to see the launch of registration for our Western Regional Championship. This promises to be an excellent summertime celebration of pickleball in Medicine Hat, Alberta.”

“The Medicine Hat Pickleball Club and our tremendous volunteers look forward to welcoming players from across Western Canada for Regional Championships,” said Brenda Lea MacPhail, Tournament Director. “Based on our past tournament experiences, we encourage interested players to register promptly to guarantee their chance of participating.”

Individuals who want to participate can register on Pickleball Brackets at:  https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=fa11820a-6fde-41d6-b354-6788679fdcdf.  Registration will remain open until June 6, 2023, space permitting.

For more information, please contact:

Brenda Lea MacPhail, Tournament Director: tournamentdirectormh@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada:  info@pickleballcanada.org