Author: Elizabeth Werner

New! Ratings FAQs Webpage

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

As pickleball in Canada continues to grow, more players look to understand their skill level ratings and what they mean in both club and tournament settings.

To help answer a variety of common questions, Pickleball Canada has added a new webpage to the Ratings menu titled Ratings FAQs (frequently asked questions). This page can be found by clicking on “Ratings” in the main menu located at the top of the website.

We cover topics such as:

  • how to rate yourself for the first time
  • the differences between performance-based and subjective observation ratings
  • common questions about Pickleball Brackets
  • tournament ratings vs. club ratings
  • and more!

Click here to visit the Ratings FAQs webpage.

Have a question that you don’t see answered? Send us an email at info@pickleballcanada.org.

The Tennis Professionals Association and Pickleball Canada Announce the Pickleball Coach Education Program Partnership with Selkirk Sport

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

The two-year deal will further assist Pickleball Canada in promoting the growth of pickleball, from players to coaches, across the nation.

The Tennis Professionals Association (TPA), Pickleball Canada (PCO) and Tennis Canada, announced today a two-year partnership with Selkirk Sport, a world-leading pickleball company focusing on paddle innovation and technology. As of January 1, 2023, Selkirk Sport is the Official Paddle of the Pickleball Coach Education Program.

“We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Selkirk Sport,” said Mark Renneson, the lead of the pickleball program for the TPA. “Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide, and with a market leader like Selkirk Sport by our side, it will only help us grow the game and get more Canadians to go out and pick up a paddle.” 

Deanna Christie, the lead of the pickleball program for Pickleball Canada said “This is a great program where coach facilitators and those participating in the courses will receive high quality paddles as they become Canadian certified coaches”.

This partnership with Selkirk Sport marks the first of its kind for the pickleball coach program. In addition to becoming the official paddle supplier, Selkirk Sport will also be providing members with access to online learning tools for pickleball instructors, as well as balls and demo paddles for all Level 1 and 2 Pickleball Instructor Courses.

“As the beginner-friendly sport of pickleball continues to spread rapidly, the opportunity for pickleball coaching is massive”, said Mike Barnes, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Selkirk Sport. “The TPA, Pickleball Canada, and Tennis Canada are the perfect partners to provide the Canadian pickleball public with premium quality pickleball education and equipment, and we couldn’t be more excited to team up with them.”

As the industry leader, Selkirk pickleball paddles can be found at many pickleball and tennis facilities throughout the United States and Canada. Selkirk is also heavily involved in the professional side of pickleball. Selkirk is represented on the professional tour by a deep roster of top-ranked pickleball professionals. For more information on Selkirk Sport and its products, visit Selkirk.com.

About the Tennis Professionals Association
The Tennis Professionals Association (TPA) is a member-based association devoted to growing the profession of tennis coaching throughout Canada. The TPA was developed by Tennis Canada for Canadian certified instructors, coaches and Club Professionals. Since it’s inception in 2004, the TPA has grown from 800 members to over 3300. To learn more, go to https://www.tpacanada.com/

About Pickleball Canada
Pickleball Canada is the national sport organization that governs, promotes, and leads the development of pickleball in Canada.  Its mission is to assist and promote the growth of pickleball as a sport for all levels and ages.  Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, with over 1 million Canadians playing.  Pickleball Canada has over 46,000 members.   To learn more, go to https://pickleballcanada.org/

About Selkirk Sport
Selkirk Sport, a Made-in-the-USA Manufacturer of Pickleball paddles and accessories, is a family-owned and operated company based in Hayden, Idaho, located in the shadows of its namesake, the Selkirk mountain range. Founded in 2014, Selkirk Sport is born off a passion for sport, as well as the great western outdoor leisure lifestyle that was afforded to the Company’s founders, Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their father Jim, who is Selkirk’s production manager. Backed by the philosophy of always pushing the limits, Selkirk Sport is committed to manufacturing products that deliver the highest performance with unmatched quality and service.  As part of their early success, Selkirk Sport was the very first Pickleball manufacturer to offer an unprecedented lifetime warranty on its high-performance products. And, to meet the demands of the game’s premier professionals, the Company developed low-profile edgeguards that are lightweight and extremely durable. Selkirk Sport has become one of the industry’s fastest growing companies with paddles used by many of the game’s premier players, such as Tyson McGuffin, Parris Todd, Dylan Frazier, Mary Brascia, Maggie Brascia, Wesley Gabrielsen, Cammy MacGregor, and a host of others who are premier players and national/regional champions.

Pickleball Canada Hits the Court and Teams with Sponsorship Canada as its Sponsorship Agency of Record Amidst Rapid Growth

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

After a comprehensive selection process, Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Sponsorship Canada (a division of REVXM-Immediate Productions) has been selected as its exclusive sponsorship agency of record.

During this time, Sponsorship Canada will lead Pickleball Canada’s sponsorship and commercial strategy with its team of industry leading experts in sponsorship, naming rights, events, and strategy.

“Global acclaim and excitement for the sport of Pickleball has grown rampant in recent years, with membership in Canada alone growing 40% since last December,” said Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President. “With high profile celebrities and brands investing and a surging membership base, there is no more lucrative sponsorship opportunity in Canadian amateur sport right now. Sponsorship Canada is the perfect partner to help us capitalize on this growth.”

Due to years of extensive success and a proven track record of excellence across properties such as in sports, Sponsorship Canada was selected to help Pickleball Canada further its commercial footprint.

“We are honoured and excited to represent Pickleball Canada”, said Bill Gaskey, Managing Partner of Sponsorship Canada. “Obviously, the growth story over the last few years has been nothing short of amazing. We also love the fact that the sport has a growing youth following and with an ever-growing digital audience, the sky’s the limit for pickleball’s commercial value and potential for brands, and we are pumped to help unlock some of that value for the property and their partners”.

Pickleball is played across the country, with the fastest growth in participation occurring in the 18-34 year old demographic.

Goals for Pickleball Canada, as the National Sport Organization for pickleball in Canada, are realistically ambitious, with plans to build youth and national team programs, and the ultimate goal of one day competing at the Olympic Games. 

For more information or to explore partnership opportunities with Pickleball Canada, please contact:

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

ABOUT PICKLEBALL CANADA
Pickleball Canada is the national sport organization that governs, promotes, and leads the development of pickleball in Canada.  Its mission is to assist and promote the growth of pickleball as a sport for all levels and ages.  Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, with over 1 million Canadians playing.  To learn more, go to https://pickleballcanada.org/

ABOUT SPONSORSHIP CANADA
Founded in 2006, as part of the XMC Group of Companies, Sponsorship Canada, a division of REVXM-Immediate Productions, is a leader in sponsorship asset evaluation, naming rights strategy as well as revenue generation for venues, events and properties.  We have represented cities, municipalities, not for profit charities, sports and entertainment properties and venues in naming rights and partnership deals totalling over $500M in revenue, over the last 15 years+. To learn more go to: https://www.sponsorshipcanada.com/

2023 Pickleball Canada Central Regional Championship

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Kingston Pickleball Club has been selected to host the 2023 Pickleball Canada Central Regional Championship (Regionals). The event will be held from July 12th to 16th, 2023 in Kingston, ON. In 2022, Kingston Pickleball Club successfully hosted the National Championship.

Over the course of four days, more than 400 players from across Ontario and Quebec, are expected to compete for the coveted title of the Central 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.

Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President said, “I am very pleased to see Kingston Pickleball Club host our Central Regional Championship. The experience they have with hosting tournaments, and Pickleball Canada Championship events, ensures that the Central Regionals will be a great success. We look forward to all players having a great time.

“The Kingston Pickleball Club is excited to host this prestigious event and to welcome players from across Ontario and Quebec back to our wonderful city”, said Andrea Blackwell, President of the Kingston Pickleball Club.

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.

For more information, please contact:
The Kingston Pickleball Club: information@kingstonpickleballclub.com
Pickleball Canada: info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada’s Website Refresh

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

Pickleball Canada’s website has been refreshed just in time for 2023!

The website’s homepage has been redesigned to improve user experience and visual interest. Added features such as the image carousel with eye-catching graphics help visitors stay up to date on Pickleball Canada’s programs and events, with easy access to important news available through the News archives located below.

The most significant change is the new and improved page layout and main menu which have been designed with the user in mind. We have listened to our members and community to understand what information is most accessed and searched for. Pages are now easier to find, with the most visited pages made readily accessible in the main menu.

Take a look at the new design and let us know what you think!

If you are having trouble finding content you have previously visited or need assistance navigating the website, send us an email at info@pickleballcanada.org.

2023 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Medicine Hat Pickleball Club (MHPC) has been selected to host the 2023 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship (Regionals). The event will be held from July 6th to 9th, 2023 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. In 2022, Medicine Hat Pickleball Club successfully hosted the Alberta Provincial Championship.

Over the course of five days, more than 500 players from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are expected to compete for the coveted title of the Western Region’s best pickleball athletes in age categories ranging from 10 to 75+. 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.

Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President, said “I am very pleased to see the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club host our Western Regional Championship. They have a terrific facility and enthusiastic group of dedicated volunteers ready to put on an excellent event. We thank them for taking on this opportunity”.

“The MHPC cannot wait to showcase our new 20-court facility, our city and our club members and our outstanding volunteers to the Western Canadian Pickleball community”’ states Brenda Lea MacPhail, Tournament Director. “Our past tournament successes have been noted by all that have attended over the years, and we hope to continue that legacy in 2023 making this event a very memorable one for all”, says MacPhail.

Located in the southeast corner of Alberta and nestled along the South Saskatchewan River, the City of Medicine Hat has a population of just over 63,000 but don’t let size fool you. It is a vibrant city full of arts, entertainment, recreation and leisure activities. To fully experience the sunshine, the coulees and the rolling prairies alike, you can hike or bike, the 155+ kilometers of the Heritage Trail Network.

For a fabulous overview of the MHPC facility, please click this link, and enjoy an overhead view.

For more information, please contact:

Carla Anderson, Executive Director
Pickleball Canada Organization
carla.anderson@pickleballcanada.org

2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship Logo Announcement

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

Pickleball Canada is pleased to share the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship logo created by Pickleball Regina Inc.  Nationals will be held from August 23 – 27, 2023.

The official logo includes the Pickleball Canada logo and the Albert Street Memorial Bridge, an iconic symbol of Regina, built in the great depression to employ local workers. It symbolizes increasing connections, building bridges and stands as a world record holder as the longest span over the smallest body of water.

Pickleball Regina welcomes everyone to Regina for Nationals at the Viterra International Trade Centre and Queen City Pickleball Hub, with the expected number of athletes at 1,000, along with 300 volunteers.  For more information about Nationals, please go to Pickleball Brackets.

For more information, please contact:

Carla Anderson, Executive Director
Pickleball Canada Organization
carla.anderson@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada Announces Changes to the Board of Directors

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

(OTTAWA, ON) – Pickleball Canada would like to share some recent changes to the Pickleball Canada Board of Directors. The changes include:

  1. Peter Milovanovic, Markham, ON, replaces Karen Rust as President.
  2. Leigh Bradwell, Toronto, ON, moves to one of the two VP positions.
  3. Karen Rust, Regina, SK, moves to the Treasurer position.
  4. Debra Downing, Shediac, NB, who is new to the Board, fills a Director at Large position that was vacated by Cara Button, Calgary, AB. 

“I am honoured to be asked to serve our members. I am looking forward to working with our staff team, and with the tremendous volunteers on our Board, our Provinces and Territories and our clubs. Together we will continue to grow our sport across the country to make it truly a sport for All, for Life”, said new President Peter Milovanovic.

The role of Pickleball Canada’s Board of Directors is to provide overall strategic direction, leadership, and stability for the organization. The Board establishes the overall mission and purpose for the organization and is responsible for a number of key governance-related activities. These include approving the appointment of – and providing direction to – the senior leadership team as well as the development and adoption of organizational policies, financial oversight, and approval of the annual budget.

Pickleball remains the fastest growing sport worldwide, with over 1 million pickleball players across Canada, and over 43,000 Pickleball Canada members, and the number is expected to continue to significantly increase in the coming years. Pickleball Canada has national and regional pickleball championships and administers programs to promote and grow pickleball across the country. Pickleball Canada’s mandate and purpose is to develop and sustain a dynamic, integrated Canadian system that promotes participation, competition, and excellence in pickleball.

The 2022-2023 Pickleball Canada Board of Directors is as follows:

President – Peter Milovanovic, Markham, ON
Vice President – Leigh Bradwell, Toronto, ON
Vice President – Deanna Christie, Kingston, ON
Treasurer – Karen Rust, Regina, SK
Secretary – Jacqueline Clarke, Vancouver, BC
Director-at-Large – Dave Best, Ottawa, ON
Director-at-Large – Cynthia Clark, Calgary, AB
Director-at-Large – Jon de la Mothe, Toronto, ON
Director-at-Large – Debra Downing, Shediac, NB
Director-at-Large – Robert Hogue, Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka, QC
Director-at-Large – Rose Sawatzky, Morden, MB
Director-at-Large – Alan Thomson, Victoria, BC
Director-at-Large – Peter Walker, Calgary, AB
Regional Director British Columbia & Yukon – Barry Montgomery, Vernon, BC
Regional Director Prairies – Doug Fogg, Edmonton, AB
Regional Director Ontario – Gail Prior, Mt. Brydges, ON
Regional Director Quebec – France Emery, Laval, QC
Regional Director Atlantic – Pat Morrison, Inverness, NS

For more information, please contact:
Peter Milovanovic
peter.milovanovic@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada Selects Regina to host 2023 National Championship

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Pickleball Regina Inc. has been selected to host the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship (the Nationals). The event will be held from August 23 – 27, 2023 in Regina, Saskatchewan.  In 2022, Pickleball Regina successfully hosted the Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship.

Over the course of five days, more than 1,000 players from across Canada are expected to compete for the coveted title of Canada’s best pickleball athletes in age categories ranging from 16 to 75. 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.

“Pickleball Regina has earned a reputation as an enthusiastic, capable and welcoming host of competitions both large and small” said Deanna Christie, Vice President Sport for Pickleball Canada. “The club set a high bar by hosting the Western Regional Pickleball Championships, held in July, and we have no doubt that Regina will be able to deliver a successful Nationals”.

Randy Dove, the Chair of the Pickleball Regina Organizing Committee, said, “Pickleball Regina is excited to host the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship in August 2023. We have the skills, motivation, and confidence that we will provide an experience for athletes, volunteers and spectators that will raise the bar for hosting for the future. We look forward to working with Pickleball Canada and Pickleball Saskatchewan to ensure this is an outstanding event for everyone involved.”

Regina has a track record of being a very desirable destination to host world-class regional, national, and international events. The location provides for easy access by highway and air as well as first-rate accommodations and state of the art facilities. The community excels at delivering a welcoming spirit and warm prairie hospitality.

“We very much look forward to working with the Pickleball Regina host club to ensure the tournament is successful and provides a memorable experience for competitors, officials, volunteers, and spectators”, said Pickleball Canada Executive Director, Carla Anderson.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, and over one million people play pickleball in Canada. That number continues to quickly rise as more are introduced to the sport that is easy to learn, yet a challenge to master.

For more information, please contact:

Carla Anderson, Executive Director
Pickleball Canada Organization
carla.anderson@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada Celebrates 40,000 Members

Posted on by Elizabeth Werner

Pickleball Canada (PCO) has reached a major milestone of 40,000 members!

Since this past January, when our membership was at 28,000, we’ve experienced a 43% increase to reach this 40,000-member milestone.

This could not have been achieved without the tireless efforts of present and past volunteers, such as Pickleball Canada presidents, board members, officials, and coaches who have all played key roles in developing the sport in Canada.

Karen Rust, President of Pickleball Canada said, “we would like to thank all those who have played a part in this growth.  We are excited for the future of Pickleball Canada and working with other stakeholders to support the continued growth of pickleball in Canada”.

From the establishment of Pickleball Canada in 2011, many individuals have supported the organization in the role of President. To highlight the leaders from over the years, below are the Pickleball Canada Presidents in order of our incorporation to the present:

  • Bill Canning, Red Deer, Alberta
  • Colin Caldwell, Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia
  • Dave Shepherd, Abbotsford, British Columbia
  • Shirley Shepherd, Abbotsford, British Columbia
  • Marg Ouimet, Sturgeon County, Alberta
  • Val Vollmin, Red Deer, Alberta
  • Doug Thomson, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Richard Chambers, Vernon, British Columbia
  • Jim Parrott, Oshawa, Ontario
  • Kirk Jensen, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Karen Rust, Regina, Saskatchewan

Pickleball Canada would also like to thank our Affiliated Provincial/Territorial Pickleball Associations (PTSOs) who are crucial in the development of the game, as well as our Affiliated Clubs for their ongoing efforts to bring pickleball to more and more Canadian communities.

And of course, we would like to thank each of our members for your participation in pickleball and for your trust in PCO and your PTSOs to provide the best quality pickleball possible. We are committed to growing the game safely, with our members at the centre of all we do.

We appreciate the time and commitment of all volunteers who have contributed to the advancement of pickleball for all, for life.