Pickleball Canada Celebrates 80,000 Members

In mid November, Pickleball Canada reached 80,000 members!

Last year around this time Pickleball Canada reached 63,147 members. Looking back in November of 2022 Pickleball Canada had 36,985 members.

This achievement would not have been possible without the tireless support from Pickleball Canada’s incredible group of dedicated volunteers, sponsors, officials, board members, and members who have all played key roles in developing the sport in Canada.

Val Vollmin, President of Pickleball Canada said, “Reaching this milestone in membership is a reflection of the passion, dedication, and teamwork that drives our community. Every new member strengthens our foundation, and together we grow the sport of pickleball”.

Pickleball has seen incredible growth amongst all ages. In 2024 Pickleball Canada commissioned a national research company to look at the trends in pickleball participation levels across Canada. It was found that in 2024 there was the largest increase in the ages 35-54 age category between from January 2023 to January 2024. There was also a 16% growth in Gen Z participation compared to 2023.

Through the power of numbers, individuals and affiliated organizations, through Pickleball Canada, receive benefit from access to:

  • A comprehensive package of insurance products;
  • a National Coaching Certification Program;
  • a national program for accreditation of officials;
  • preferred pricing for software tools (for tournaments, pickleball programs, etc.); and
  • Canadian Tournament Player Ratings.

Pickleball Canada would like to thank their phenomenal members who continue to support each of Pickleball Canada’s initiatives to help grow the sport!

For more information, please contact:

info@pickleballcanada.org  

National Pickleball Day 2024

Saturday, August 10, marked National Pickleball Day 2024 in Canada. The second Saturday of August each year is designated National Pickleball Day, an opportunity for the pickleball community to celebrate the sport that brings us together, also serving as an excellent recruitment opportunity for clubs across the country.

This year many communities across the country came together to celebrate the incredible sport of pickleball.

A few highlights of the stories received include:

  • Vernon, British Columbia – The Vernon Pickleball Association was with the Downtown Vernon Association to host a Pickleball Day falling on National Pickleball Day August 10th.  A portion of downtown Vernon’s main street was completely closed down to accommodate four pickleball courts and a street party.  Three courts were used for a ‘Queen/King of the Court’ style tournament, and one court was used as a demonstration court for people interested in pickleball.  There was a DJ playing music, a few food trucks, Tourism Vernon & Pickleball Depot were on site, as well as tables and chairs for people to relax & enjoy the festive pickleball street party. All in all, it was a success and a great way to celebrate National Pickleball Day!
  • Newmarket, Ontario – The Newmarket Pickleball Club was established and opened in May 2023. On August 10 of 2024 they suddenly had 560 members of which 170 people came to their annual barbecue on August 10th to celebrate National Pickleball Day. The Newmarket Pickleball Club had four Canadian Professional Pickleball players put on a pros match for all the club members to see. Harvey’s also attended the event and provided a complementary barbeque for all of their members.  
  • Medicine Hat, Alberta – The Medicine Hat Pickleball Club hosted an Under the Lights Play at their club. They started the evening singing O Canada to honour National Pickleball Day. Play was sportsmanlike but competitive! Everyone brought a shareable snack and a beverage of choice for after the play was done and they had a great 70s and 80s music playlist to make it even more fun.
  • Invermere, British Columbia – Invermere Pickleball Club celebrated National Pickleball Day on Saturday, August 10th, with a great morning of pickleball followed by a potluck lunch. Fantastic turnout including players from other clubs in the area and visitors to the town. There were prizes awarded to the best dressed in Canadian clothes to celebrate the wrap up of the Olympics. Fun was had by all!!
  • Campbell River, British Columbia – The Campbell River Pickleball Association planned a full day of activities to celebrate National Pickleball Day. In the morning club members began the day with specific pickleball warm-up exercises led by a highly skilled kinesiologist form the city. Club players were then divided into two teams and participated in a Mega Team Rally Tournament. Rally scoring was kept after each round played. After every two rounds, Teams White and Red had to then complete fun challenges for additional points. This was the highlight of the morning with lots of laughs and friendly competition. Players shared food and the organizers drew participation prizes generously donated by various sponsors from the community. In the afternoon, drop-in ‘Learn-to-Play’ session for non-club members was organized and hosted by the Campbell River Pickleball Association. Participants were introduced to the game and its rules, practiced various skills and drills at different stations. This was followed by some game time with some of the clubs’ volunteers. Overall, it was a great day for all!
  • Alma, Quebec – The Alma Pickleball Club was very proud to participate in National Pickleball Day for the third consecutive year. The team at Alma Pickleball Club initiated around 20 new recruits during the event. They are more than happy to be added to the club’s current 350 members.

Make sure to mark the date for Saturday, August 9th, 2025, on your calendars for National Pickleball Day 2025!

If you have any additional stories you would like to share regarding National Pickleball Day 2024 make sure to share them with info@pickleballcanada.org.

Pickleball Federation of the America’s Copa Latam and Latam Open Pickleball Tournament

In April 2023, Pickleball Canada joined forces with USA Pickleball and La Liga Profesional de Pickleball Mexico to form the Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA) in order to promote the growth of pickleball throughout the Western Hemisphere.  Since the launch, the PFA has expanded to many additional countries from South America and Central America, and the Caribbean region joining as members. 

One of the PFA’s goals is to promote international competition, including the organization of continental championships and other major events. As such, the PFA is hosting its inaugural event called the Copa Latam and Latam Open Pickleball 2024 in collaboration with the Brazilian Pickleball Confederation. The tournaments look to bring countries across the Americas together.

The event will be held the SESI Villa Leopoldina in Sao Paulo, Brazil from September 14th to September 15th, 2024. This event will contain two tournaments one called the Copa Latam Pickleball which is for the 16 Latin American countries who are affiliated with the PFA.

Canadian players will be able to enter the Latam Open Pickleball Tournament. This tournament is open to pickleball players from Latin America, the United States, and Canada. This tournament will be a Round Robin format. The competition will include Men’s Doubles (3.0, 4.0, and 5.0), Women’s Doubles (3.0, 4.0, and 5.0), and Mixed Doubles (3.0, 4.0, and 5.0).

For more information around the event and how you can get involved please head to the Pickleball Federation of Americas website.

Pickleball Canada Celebrates 70,000 Members

In early July, Pickleball Canada reached 70,000 members! This is an incredible achievement for the sport of pickleball in Canada.

In July of 2022 Pickleball Canada had 31,312 members and in July of 2023 Pickleball Canada reached 53,143 members. Pickleball Canada has seen extraordinary growth over the past few years and is counting to work towards this growth throughout the remainder of the year.

“I am immensely proud of Pickleball Canada for achieving this remarkable milestone. It reflects our collective dedication and unwavering commitment to our mission. Together, we have set a new standard of excellence and impact, and I look forward to even greater achievements ahead, “said Pickleball Canada President Val Vollmin.

Pickleball has seen incredible growth amongst all Canadians. In 2023 Pickleball Canada commissioned a national research company to look at pickleball participation levels in Canadians. In 2023 it was found that more than 1.37 million individual Canadians are playing pickleball at least once per month, with more than half playing four or more times per month. 

Individual Canadians and affiliated organizations through Pickleball Canada will receive access to:

  • A comprehensive package of insurance products;
  • a National Coaching Certification Program;
  • a national program for accreditation of officials;
  • preferred pricing for software tools (for tournaments, pickleball programs, etc.); and
  • Canadian Tournament Player Ratings.

Pickleball Canada would like to thank all our members, affiliated organizations, volunteers, and partners for their continued support of Pickleball Canada in promoting the growth of pickleball as a sport for all ages.

Pickleball Canada will continue to focus on their initiatives to further promote participation, competition, and excellence in pickleball for all!

For more information:

info@pickleballcanada.org  

Pickleball Canada Announces the Location and Date of the 2024 Central Regionals

Ottawa, ON – July 5, 2024 – Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Pickleball Quebec has been selected to host the 2024 Pickleball Canada Central Regional Championship, which will run August 10 – August 11, 2024 in Laval, Quebec.

The event will take place at Tennis 13 and be played on 24 indoor courts. Franklin will serve as the official ball for the 2024 Pickleball Canada Central Regional Championship, under their partnership as the official ball and paddle for Pickleball Canada.

Pickleball Quebec’s hosting efforts for the 2024 Pickleball Canada Central Regionals are made possible through the support of their partner Sports Experts.   

“Pickleball Canada is very pleased to see Pickleball Quebec host our Central Regionals. We are counting the days until the event!,” said Pickleball Canada President Val Vollmin.

Over the course of the two days, it is expected that over 300 players from all over the Central Region of Canada will be in attendance with competition categories that will include men’s and women’s doubles, men’s and women’s singles, and mixed doubles. The tournament will follow Pickleball Canada’s sanctioning criteria.

Registration for this event has already opened so please head to this link to sign up for the competition: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=d48840e2-fd6c-4c86-877f-ead70ee971f0

For more information please contact:

info@pickleballcanada.org

Stéphane Brière, Executive Director

Pickleball Quebec:

dg@pickleballquebec.com

PICKLEBALL CANADA – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Ottawa, ON – Pickleball Canada held it’s Annual General Meeting held by video conference on Thursday, June 27, 2024. During this meeting Pickleball Canada’s membership voted to elect eight directors from a slate of fourteen total nominees. 

The newly elected members include:

  1. Wendy Pattenden, Surrey, B.C
  2. Geoffery Biss, Shelburne, ON
  3. Lester Esteban, Saskatoon, SK
  4. Mark Borgares, Regina, SK
  5. Luc Grenon, Thornbury, ON
  6. Ronald Marion, Windsor, ON
  7. David Perfetti, Ottawa, ON
  8. Steven Sagal, Regina, SK

“I am very pleased with the composition of Pickleball Canada’s Board of Directors”, said President Val Vollmin. “Our new Nominating Sub-Committee received and processed a number of excellent applicants and provided support and guidance to our membership throughout the process, resulting in an election result that identified a very strong group of people to lead the continued growth of pickleball in Canada.” 

Pickleball Canada also took time during the Annual General Meeting to acknowledge and applaud the very good work done by the departing Pickleball Canada Board of Directors – Cynthia Clark, Dave Edwards and Chuck MacDonald, who have all volunteered countless hours to develop the sport during its exponential growth rate across Canada.

Pickleball Canada’s Board of Directors provide an overall strategic direction and leadership for the organization to develop the sport of pickleball nationally. As pickleball remains the fastest growing sport worldwide with almost 70,000 Pickleball Canada members and growing. Pickleball Canada looks to support this membership by hosting national and regional events, while administering 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 2024 – 2025 Pickleball Canada Board of Directors is as follow:

RoleNameHometown
PresidentVal VollminEckville, AB
Director-at-LargeLuc GrenonThornbury, ON
Director-at-LargeRod HamiltonCourtenay. BC
Director-at-LargeBrian RychlickiWinnipeg, MB
Director-at-LargeEileen McCleanSt. Albert, AB
Director-at- LargeBryan MerrittThunder Bay, ON
Director-at-LargeSteven SagalRegina, SK
Director-at-LargeWendy PattendenSurrey, BC
Director-at-LargeGeoffery BissShelburne, ON
Director-at-LargeLester EstebanSaskatoon, SK
Director-at-LargeMark BorgaresRegina, SK
Director-at-LargeRonald MarionWindsor, ON
Director-at-LargeDavid PerfettiOttawa, ON
Regional Director BC & YukonHeather HoodVictoria, BC
Regional Director AtlanticAlden BriggsFredericton, NB
Regional Director QuebecFrance EmeryLaval, QC
Regional Director OntarioJunior BentWhitby, ON

PICKLEBALL CANADA’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, June 27th, 2024

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pickleball Canada is seeking volunteers who have a background in legal, accounting, and sport industry experience (National Sport Organizations/Multi Sport Organizations) to serve on its Board of Directors for terms beginning June 27, 2024.

For the upcoming year there will be seven (7) positions up for election each position is a two (2) year term at the Pickleball Canada Annual General Meeting.

These openings will be filled by persons having expertise in the competency areas outlined in the attached Call for Nominations of Directors Package. Interested individuals must complete the Nominee Application Form outlining their interest and experience.

The completed form must be received by Pickleball Canada no later than June 4, 2024 at 4:00pm (EDT), to the following address: hr@pickleballcanada.org.

Pickleball Canada is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse Board.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability.

Registration is Open for the 2024 Western Regional Championship

Registration for the 2024 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship has officially opened. This event will be held from July 25 – July 28, 2024, in Vernon, British Columbia located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley.

More than 600 players from all across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Yukon are expected to compete in this marquee event. Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Interested players must be members of Pickleball Canada at the time of registration.

“Come and join us for some great pickleball at the Western Regionals in Vernon.  We are looking forward to seeing you there!  The Okanagan in July is beautiful!” said Val Vollmin, Pickleball Canada President.

“We look forward to hosting the top players and referees in Western Canada in Vernon in the heart of the summer.  There has been a very strong registration and are looking at ways we can accommodate more players. Stay tuned!”, said Tournament Director Richard Chambers

To register for the event please head to Pickleball Brackets at: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=9f0bb38c-3b21-47d5-9ed9-01252e313f81 . Registration will remain open until May 10th, 2024.

For more information please contact:

Richard Chambers, Tournament Director: pcwrc2024@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada: info@pickleballcanada.org

Registration is Open for the 2024 Atlantic Regional Championship

Pickleball Canada is please to announce that registration has opened for the 2024 Pickleball Canada Atlantic Regional Championship. Atlantic Regionals will be held from June 13th – June 16th, 2024 in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Around 400 players from across Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are expected to compete for the coveted title of the Atlantic Region’s best pickleball athletes in a broad range of events.  Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Interested players must be members of Pickleball Canada at time of registration.

“Excitement is building for the Atlantic Regionals.  This tournament opened on April 1 and currently has over 450 players!  Pickleball Canada looks forward to seeing you in Moncton!” said Pickleball Canada President Val Vollmin.  

“We are excited to be hosting these great athletes and welcoming them to Moncton. We are also thrilled to announce that we are bringing in four of the top Canadian Pros for exhibition matches on the Saturday night; free of charge for all who register to the tournament. So get ready, you may be invited to join them!” said Moe Belliveau, President of Pickleball Moncton.

To register for the event please head to Pickleball Brackets at: https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=a6baeee7-85a0-4a9b-b50e-a2eb39664522 . Registration will remain open until May 31, 2024.

For more information please contact:

Pickleball Canada Atlantic Regional Tournament Team,

atlanticregionals2024@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada,

info@pcikleballcanada.org

Registration is Open for the 2024 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship Presented by Think Turkey

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that registration has opened for the 2024 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship Presented by Think Turkey. This event will be held from August 20th – August 24th in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Events will take place at the Atlantic Tennis 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.

“I am excited to see the launch of registration for our National Championship.  Over 660 competitors in the first 24 hours of registration.  That is fantastic! Come and join us in beautiful Halifax in August!!,” said Pickleball Canada President Val Vollmin.

“Pickleball Nova Scotia is proud to have been chosen to host the 2024 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship Presented by Think Turkey. The tournament will be an exciting display of Pickleball talent from across the country. The inclusion of multiple skill levels and age groups makes this a tournament for everyone,” said Pickleball Nova Scotia President & Tournament Chair Don Johnston.  

As the capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax is a wonderful tourist destination, with plenty of amazing sights to see and experience. Indulge yourself in Nova Scotia’s fabulous seafood cuisine, take in the incredible ocean scenery, and explore the multitude of historic sites.

Join us for the 2024 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship Presented by Think Turkey … Stay for the Maritime Hospitality!

To register for the event please visit https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=b152e3a7-8790-42ae-9300-70b9369da74f

To find out more about Halifax please visit  https://discoverhalifaxns.com/event/myoflex-canadian-national-pickleball-championships/

For more information on the event, please contact:

Don Johnston, President of Pickleball Nova Scotia & Tournament Chair,

2024pbnationals@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada,

info@pickleballcanada.org