Author: 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.

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

(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 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 (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.

Officiating is an important component of pickleball and as the sport grows rapidly across Canada, we need more and more referees to officiate at tournaments all over the country. Referees ensure consistent application of the rules of pickleball and enhance the tournament experience for the players.

Refereeing is a great way to spread your love for pickleball, become an expert in the rules of the game, give back to your pickleball community, and travel to new destinations!

Officiating may be right for you if…

• You love pickleball (especially watching it)
• You have an admiration for fair play and the rules
• You want to give back to your pickleball community
• You want to meet new people
• You are looking for a new challenge 
• You are looking for opportunities to participate in local, provincial, regional, and national competitions

For more information, including the steps to become a referee, head to the Officiating page on the Pickleball Canada website.

Pickleball Canada is inviting all Pickleball players to join us on Saturday, August 13, 2022, to mark National Pickleball Day in Canada! This is a special day to showcase the sport we all love, and there are so many ways to celebrate. How about hosting a tournament, providing free lessons, holding skills competitions, or inviting friends and family to join you in a day of play. It just has to be Fun!

National Pickleball Day is an excellent opportunity to spread awareness of the sport and introduce the game to new players across the country. Show your friends and family why pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America.

If you do take part in, or organize a National Pickleball Day event, make sure to tell us about it! We would love to share your stories with our members on our social media, website, and PC Scoop newsletter.

You can send your pictures, videos, and stories to Kaitlyn Green, Project Coordinator at kaitlyn.green@pickleballcanada.org.

Find ideas to celebrate, as well as access to National Pickleball Day logos and social media frames in the National Pickleball Day 2022 Toolkit.

Keep up with our National Pickleball Day celebrations, as well as other Pickleball Canada news on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

BREAKING NEWS!

We are very pleased to inform you that the Unify Pickleball Task Force (UPTF) and the World Pickleball Federation (WPF) have completed a signed letter of intent (LOI) with the goal of working towards an agreement. With the LOI now signed, the following steps are now in process:

• An Engagement Team has been established, composed of 3 WPF delegates and 3 UPTF delegates chaired by an independent facilitator.
• The purpose of this Engagement Team is to guide and facilitate the transition to a unified international federation for pickleball that complies with the Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance of the Olympics, Paralympics and the general world Sports Movement.
• The Engagement Team will discuss and formulate proposals including critical aspects of the transition such as Name, Branding, Country Membership Criteria, Invitation to Non-member Countries to join, basis of voting at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), etc.

INVITATION TO FOLLOW OUR ACTION

As you are aware from our previous communications, the purpose of the UPTF is to guide and facilitate the establishment of an international governing body for pickleball that complies with the Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance of the Olympics, Paralympics and the general world Sports Movement.

While much work remains, we are delighted with the progress made thus far as a result of our communications with WPF.

• The WPF has positively responded to our initial request and already agreed with several proposed bylaw changes.
• The Engagement Team process has been agreed as the vehicle to facilitate the transition.

We are confident that the outcome from the Engagement Team process will be an entity ready to become the international federation for pickleball and fully compliant with international sporting norms.

We therefore invite your organisation to engage with either ourselves (UPTF) or the WPF directly in order to obtain all the necessary information to enable you to plan your course of action regarding joining the new entity.

Respectfully
The Unify Pickleball Task Force (*)

(*) Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Mexico, Philippines, Spain, United States