Author: Nick Ward

Pickleball Canada Organization (Pickleball Canada) AND Tennis Canada today announced a long-term agreement on pickleball coaching development across Canada. Pickleball Canada and the Tennis Professionals Association (TPA) — Tennis Canada’s coaching development arm — will collaborate in the development and implementation of a nationwide pickleball coaching education and certification program accredited by the Coaching Association of Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).

Pickleball Canada is pleased that Mark Renneson has joined TPA to lead this initiative under the terms of this five- year agreement with Tennis Canada. Courses will begin in October 2021, with pilot sessions to be held in advance. Mark will work closely with Deanna Hanes, Pickleball Canada’s Vice-President of Sport Development and Competition to develop and roll out the program. With these two well qualified individuals working together, the emerging program is well positioned to provide excellent coaching for new and existing Canadian pickleball players for years to come.

“As one of the fastest growing sports worldwide, this collaborative agreement with Tennis Canada will only help the long-term development of pickleball in Canada”, said Karen Rust, President of Pickleball Canada. “We look forward to working with Tennis Canada to help build and strengthen both of these great sports in our country.”

“Our research clearly indicates that pickleball – while being a fast-growing, independent sport – can be part of the tennis pathway for life for some of the over three million frequent tennis players in Canada”, said Michael Downey, President and CEO of Tennis Canada. “These players include pickleball in their menu of recreation sports, so it makes sense that Tennis Canada assist an emerging sport that can be played on tennis courts and is included in the offering of many tennis clubs.”

Mark Renneson has built a strong reputation in the world of pickleball and pickleball coaching development. Through his business, Mark trains pickleball players and serves as a consultant to clubs and other pickleball organizations across North America. He is well known to pickleball fans in Canada and abroad and is a regular colour commentator at major pickleball tournaments.

Pickleball remains the fastest growing sport worldwide, with over 350,000 pickleball players across Canada. This number is expected to increase significantly in the coming years. As the number of players grows, so does the need for well-trained coaches. This agreement will allow Pickleball Canada to leverage Tennis Canada’s existing infrastructure and status with NCCP and the Coaching Association of Canada.

For more information, please contact:
Deanna Hanes
Pickleball Canada Organization
613-888-7968

We invite all Pickleball players to join us on Saturday, August 14, 2021, to mark National Pickleball Day in Canada. This is a special day to celebrate our sport and players to continue to help the growth of Pickleball across Canada. There are many ways to mark the day, including holding fun tournaments; providing free lessons, holding skills competitions, and inviting friends and family to join in playing a game that is the fastest growing sport in North America.

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that ONIX Pickleball has been named the official supplier of balls to the Pickleball Canada National Championship (the Nationals) taking place in Red Deer, Alberta from August 10-15, 2021. Since its founding in 2005, ONIX Pickleball has become the leading manufacturer of performance pickleball paddles, balls, and accessories and is dedicated to growing and supporting the sport at a professional level.

The ninth edition of the Nationals is being hosted by the Red Deer Pickleball Club and Pickleball Canada and being held at the Red Deer Pickleball Courts at Motorworks Fields. Ranging in age from 10 to 80, more than 800 athletes are competing over six days for the right to be crowned Canadian champions in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in Open, Skill and Age-based categories.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, with over 22,000 registered players in Canada.

In less than a week the 9th Pickleball Canada National Championship is coming to Red Deer, Alberta. From August 10-15, 2021, the Red Deer Pickleball Club in partnership with Pickleball Canada will host the Nationals at the Red Deer Pickleball Courts at Motorworks Fields. This Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournament will use the current international rules. This event has been held every year since 2012, except for COVID-19 impacted 2020.

Over the course of six days, the Championship will see more than 800 athletes compete in singles, doubles and mixed doubles in Open, Skill and Age-based categories. Competitors range in age from 10 to 80 and will come to Red Deer from all across Canada for the right to be crowned Canadian champions.

We know this is going to be an exciting event with top athletes such as Steve Deakin, Mark Renneson, Charles Neufeld, Karina Michaud Ernesto Fajardo, Cookie Drake, Paul Clemens, and Michael Botterill competing for top spots.

For those in attendance, don’t forget to purchase your ticket for the Pickleball Canada dinner on Friday, August 13th at 6:00 p.m. The menu is mouth watering with a buffet including Chicken Divine, St Louis Ribs, Caesar Salad, Macaroni Salad, Broccoli Salad, Baby Carrots, Kernel Corn, Oven Roasted Potatoes; Assorted Rolls, Black Forest Cake, Tropical Fresh Fruit Cake; Coffee, Tea, Punch. And the entertainment will be performed by Dean Ray. The cost is $28.50. Please pre-order at Pickleball Brackets or eTransfer.

If you are not able to attend but are excited to see the results, please use the following link to Pickleball Brackets: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?cpg=r&eid=e9cb2fe3-09ef-43bb-88f5-b0e696031f36

On July 28, 2011, Pickleball Canada was incorporated through the Canada Corporations Act.  Pickleball Canada and pickleball in Canada have grown so much over these past 10 years with 22,183 registered members! Thank you to all those who have helped build Pickleball Canada to what it is today and will continue to make Pickleball Canada a stronger National Sport Organization! Thank you to all the volunteers over the years. We wouldn’t be where we are without you. Here’s to the next 10 years!