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Ottawa, ON – Pickleball Canada held it’s Annual General Meeting held by video conference on Thursday, June 26, 2025.  During this meeting Pickleball Canada’s membership voted to elect seven (7) directors from a slate of twenty six (26) total nominees.  Each of these newly elected directors will serve a two-year term.

The newly elected members include:

1. Alexandre Baril
2. Laurie Bonten
3. Alden Briggs
4. Caroline Butchey
5. Michelle Davey
6. Joanne Kealey
7. Matthew Harris

These new members join the existing board of:

1. Wendy Pattenden
2. Geoffery Biss
3. Luc Grenon
4. Ronald Marion
5. Mark Borgares

Pickleball Canada’s Board of Directors provides strategic leadership and direction to support the growth and development of pickleball nationwide. As the fastest-growing sport in the world, pickleball continues to surge in popularity across Canada, with nearly 1.52 million Canadians now playing the game.

Pickleball Canada’s membership is also experiencing steady growth, ending last year with 88,000 members and aiming to reach 100,000 this year. To support this expanding community, the organization hosts a national championship and delivers programs designed to promote participation and foster growth across all levels of play. Guided by its mandate, Pickleball Canada is committed to developing and sustaining a dynamic, integrated national system that encourages participation, nurtures competition, and drives excellence in the sport.

The 2025– 2026 Pickleball Canada Board of Directors is as follow:

Role	Name	Province/ Territory
President	Ron Marion	Ontario
Vice President, Operations	Alden Briggs	New Brunswick
Vice President, Development	Wendy Pattenden	British Columbia
Treasurer	Luc Grenon	Ontario
Secretary	Joanne Kealey	Ontario
Director-at-Large	Alexandre Baril	Quebec
Director – at- Large	Laurie Bonten	Manitoba
Director-at-Large	Caroline Butchey	Ontario
Director-at-Large	Michelle Davey	British Columbia
Director-at-Large	Matthew Harris	British Columbia
Director-at-Large	Geoffery Biss	Ontario
Director-at-Large	Mark Borgares	Saskatchewan

HearingLife Canada will serve as the official hearing care sponsor of Pickleball Canada, promoting hearing health to pickleballers nationwide

TORONTO – HearingLife, Canada’s largest hearing health care provider, is excited to announce its official sponsorship of Pickleball Canada for a 3-year term.

Why Pickleball?

Pickleball is taking Canada by storm, with over one million Canadians hitting the courts every month! It’s not just popular; it’s the fastest-growing sport among all age groups! Canadians love pickleball for its fun, social atmosphere, and incredible health and fitness benefits.

“I love playing pickleball and I know that communicating with and hearing your teammate is an essential part of the game, so I’m excited to spread the love your ears message to pickleballers across the country to help keep their paddles ready for years to come,” said Anna Shaw, Senior Brand Manager at HearingLife.

“We encourage everyone to have their hearing tested, the earlier the better. It’s why HearingLife offers FREE hearing tests for anyone over the age of 19. We want to create awareness around hearing health and how to protect your ears at any age so that you can ‘Keep being you’ and keep playing the game we love.”

The partnership will feature an interactive approach with onsite HearingLife branding and activations at Pickleball Canada’s Regional and National Championships. The multi-year partnership kicks off this week at the Atlantic Regional Championship, taking place from May 23 to 25 in Bedford, Nova Scotia. 

The full schedule includes:

• Nova Scotia Provincials – Halifax (May 23 -25)
• Saskatchewan Provincials – Saskatoon (Jun 6 – 8)
• Alberta Provincials – Medicine Hat (Jul 10 – 13)
• BC Provincials – Vernon (Jul 24 – 27)
• Ontario Provincials – TBC
• Pickleball Nationals – Winnipeg (Aug 19 – 24)

“Pickleball Canada is thrilled to welcome HearingLife Canada onto our courts to help players learn more about hearing health,” saidBarry Petrachenko, Executive Director of Pickleball Canada. “Our sport boasts a growing community of passionate players, many of whom hope to continue to play the game for many years to come. Protecting their hearing is an important part to ensure the paddles keep swinging.”

HearingLife Canada is on a mission to help more people hear better. By combining a personalized approach, conducted by professionals in hearing care, with a focus on advanced hearing technology, and comprehensive aftercare, the organization delivers personalized hearing care and solutions tailored specifically to each person. For more information about HearingLife Canada and where to find a local clinic, visit hearinglife.ca.

About HearingLife Canada

HearingLife is Canada’s largest hearing care provider, with over 350 clinics nationwide. We are dedicated to improving hearing health through free hearing tests, personalized solutions, and ongoing support. Our mission is to help individuals stay connected to the people and activities they love by delivering exceptional hearing care tailored to their needs.

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

SOURCE: HearingLife Canada

Media Contact:

Christina Mangiola

North Strategic on behalf of HearingLife Canada

christina.mangiola@northstrategic.com

Are you ready to put your city on the national stage and be part of the biggest pickleball event in Canada? With pickleball exploding in popularity across the country, the 2026 National Championship promises to bring together over 1,000 athletes, fans, and families from coast to coast. This is more than a tournament, it’s a celebration of community, competition, and the fastest-growing sport in Canada!

Pickleball Canada invites municipalities, tourism authorities, sport organizations, and dedicated event venues to submit their Expression of Interest and be part of delivering an unforgettable national event. By filling out the form, you’ll receive more information about what to expect when hosting a Pickleball Canada National Championship.

Why Host?

Economic & Financial Boost

• Revenue opportunities through registrations, merchandise, local sponsorship, concessions & more
• A surge in local tourism: hotels, restaurants, and retail all benefit
• Potential access to local, provincial, and federal sport hosting grants
• Shared revenue opportunities with Pickleball Canada

Community Impact

• National exposure for your city and local pickleball community
• Volunteer and community engagement like never before
• Build pride and spirit through a shared celebration of sport

Sport Development

• Shine the spotlight on your local pickleball facilities
• Host exclusive clinics, workshops, and promotional events
• Inspire the next generation of pickleball players in your community!

Don’t miss this opportunity to bring the excitement and pride of the Pickleball Canada National Championship to your community!

Interested in hosting? Submit your Expression of Interest today using the following link: 

👉 https://form.jotform.com/Pickleball_Canada/expression-of-interest-hosting-2026

Further questions can be directed to tamara.edwards@pickleballcanada.org

Please submit the “Expression of Interest” form by July 10th, 2025

OTTAWA, ON – Pickleball Canada is proud to announce its support for the 2025 Provincial Championships taking place across the country this spring and summer. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a first-time participant, these tournaments provide an exciting opportunity to play, connect with your community, and represent your province on the path to Nationals.

As the National Sport Organization for pickleball, Pickleball Canada remains committed to strengthening provincial associations and advancing the sport’s rapid growth from coast to coast. Each provincial championship plays a vital role in building competitive pathways and highlighting local talent.

“We wholeheartedly encourage all individuals with a passion for pickleball—whether they are first-time participants eager to experience the thrill of competition or returning champions looking to build on past successes—to take the initiative to give it a try and register early. By doing so, they will not only secure their place in what promises to be an exciting and memorable provincial event, but also be a part of the growth of our vibrant pickleball community and the continued development of our sport across Canada,” said Barry Petrachenko, Executive Director of Pickleball Canada.

As these events are sanctioned by Pickleball Canada, international rules will apply and Individuals will need to be members of Pickleball Canada in order to register for their respective Provincial Championship. 

2025 Provincial Championship Schedule:

Quebec
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
May 17-18, 2025
Event Information Here
Registration Deadline: May 1, 2025 – 7:00 PM EST

Nova Scotia
Atlantic Tennis Centre
May 23-25, 2025
Event Details
Registration: Full

Manitoba
Dakota Community Center
May 29-June 1, 2025
Register Here
Registration Deadline: May 12, 2025 – 11:00 PM CST

Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Kinsmen/Henk Ruys Soccer Centre
June 6-8, 2025
Register Here
Registration Deadline: May 31, 2025 – 6:00 PM SASK

Newfoundland & Labrador
Rogers Dome at Greenbelt
June 20-22, 2025
Register Here
Registration Deadline: May 15, 2025 – 6:00 PM NST

Alberta
South Country Co-Op Courts
July 10-13, 2025
Register Here
Registration Deadline: June 1, 2025 – 7:00 PM MST

New Brunswick
Abony Family Tennis Center and Grant Harvey Center 
July 4 -6, 2025
Register Here 

Registration Deadline: June 15, 2025 – 7:00 PM AST

PEI
Eastlink Center Charlottetown
July 18-20, 2025
Register Here 

Registration Deadline: June 9, 2025 – 9:00 PM AST

British Columbia
Vernon Pickleball Complex
July 24-27, 2025
Register Here
Registration Deadline: June 20, 2025 – 9:00 PM PST

PICKLEBALL CANADA’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, June 26^th, 2025

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pickleball Canada is seeking volunteers who have a background in legal, accounting, governance and sport industry experience (National Sport Organizations/Multi Sport Organizations) to serve on its Board of Directors for terms beginning June 26, 2025.

For the upcoming year there will be six (6) 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 Nominations Applicant Information. Interested individuals must also complete the Nominee Application Form outlining their interest and experience.

The completed form must be received by Pickleball Canada no later than MAY 27, 2025 at 4:00pm (EDT).

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.

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In January 2025, Pickleball Canada commissioned a Canadian research firm to gain insights into pickleball trends nationwide. The survey reached over 2,000 Canadian households and revealed that more than 1.54 million Canadians are currently participating in the sport.

Pickleball Canada also sought to understand why some Canadians may not be involved in the sport and to identify the barriers contributing to this lack of participation. The survey found that 21% of respondents cited a lack of information about the sport as the primary obstacle. To address this communication gap, Pickleball Canada launched the Ambassador Program.

The new initiative aims to enhance communication efforts and better connect with Pickleball Canada’s community. The program targets individuals who are pickleball leaders and passionate about advancing the sport.

Pickleball Canada received over 160 applications for spots in the program.  After a selection process was undertaken, 17 individuals from across the country were selected based on their community involvement and dedication to our sport. 

‘This initiative represents a game-changing opportunity for us to engage more meaningfully with our stakeholders. I believe it will not only enhance our ability to collaborate but also empower every individual within our organization to connect, share ideas, and contribute to our shared vision in exciting new ways. I couldn’t be more excited to see where this journey takes us!’ said Pickleball Canada Executive Director Barry Petrachenko. 

Pickleball Canada is excited to announce the following individuals as the 2025 Pickleball Canada Ambassadors: 

• Asaan Maherali – Sooke, B.C 
• Lindsay Brown – Surrey, B.C
• Veronique Dewilde – Airdire, Alberta
• Yan Zhao – Edmonton, Alberta 
• Amy Klassen – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
• Eduardo Skiarski – Winnipeg, Manitoba 
• Gina Robinson – Newmarket, Ontario
• Jessica Toth – Niagara on the Lake, Ontario 
• Mehdi Salemi – Ottawa, Ontario 
• Marc-Andre Boivin – Mirabel, Quebec 
• Camille Ste-Marie – Montreal, Quebec 
• Michael Lanuevo – Halifax, Nova Scotia 
• Bryce Dauphinee – Kentville, Nova Scotia 
• David Summers – St. John’s Newfoundland 
• Alison Hickman – St. John’s Newfoundland 
• Melissa Clark-Brennan – Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick 
• Danarea Sommerville – Iqaluit, Nunavut 

Stay tuned for more information surrounding the program by staying up to date with Pickleball Canada’ social media!

To find out more regarding the 2025 Pickleball Canada Ambassadors please click here.

Attention All Members!

Pickleball Canada is seeking volunteers interested in serving on its Nominations Committee.

Operating at arms length from the Board of Directors, the Nominations Committee serves to assess the current Board member terms, upcoming vacancies or gaps that may exist and to develop strategies to recruit candidates who can provide the organization with appropriate skills and knowledge.

If you have a background in Human Resources, personnel recruitment or Board Management and would like to contribute to our dynamic sport organization, then please submit a letter of interest, including a CV or summary of your pertinent experience, to: hr@pickleballcanada.org.

Deadline for submission is April 15th at 11:59 pm ET.

Ottawa, ON – Pickleball Canada held it’s Special General Meeting held by video conference on Monday, March 24, 2025. During this meeting 157 Pickleball Canada members exercised their voting rights to modernize and enhance Pickleball Canada.

Pickleball Canada proposed four bylaw amendments to the membership which will assist in their goal to gain the Funded National Sport Organization status from the Government of Canada. This classification is necessary for Pickleball Canada to access financial resources to properly grow our organization or represent Canada on the international stage.

Each amendment did pass with neutrality from the Pickleball Canada membership. These amendments will benefit the membership in many ways and allow for the following to take place:

• reduce the number of Directors on the Pickleball Canada Board of Directors from 18 to 12 to align Pickleball Canada governance with the direction and best practices of sport governing bodies and sporting organizations (such as Sport Canada). It will also enhance our ability to deliver faster, more efficient services to members and improve program delivery.
• specify that Directors of provincial/territorial or other national pickleball organizations are ineligible for the Pickleball Canada Board of Directors selection. This will ensure the Pickleball Canada decision-making is focused on the best interest of Pickleball Canada and its members across the country.
• establish geographic diversity criteria for nominating directors to ensure needs and perspectives from across the country are represented during the conduct of Board Business; and
• establish a cycle for the number of directors to be elected annually to provide for knowledge retention and institutional memory on the Board.

These amendments to the bylaws will guide the Pickleball Canada nomination process in lead up to the 2025 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2025. More information regarding the nomination process and details of Pickleball Canada’s Annual General Meeting will be circulated later this week.

Results from a recent survey conducted by a Canadian research firm estimates that 1.54 million people are currently playing the sport of pickleball across the country.

The survey, conducted in January 2025 and reaching over 2,000 Canadian households, asked each household questions regarding: 

• How often they play pickleball 
• Why do they play pickleball
• What barriers do they face in playing pickleball

When the survey was first conducted in 2022, it revealed that 1 million people were playing pickleball. The recent results indicate a 57% increase in participation over the past three years, with a modest year-over-year growth of 15% since 2024.

The largest increase in participation over the past year has been in the 35-54 age group, with households with higher income levels reflecting higher participation rates.

Participation levels in pickleball across Canadian provinces generally align with population figures. As a result, Ontario has the highest number of players, with an estimated 598,900 participants. Quebec follows as the second-largest, with approximately 315,000 players.

Enjoyment / fun was the top reason participants indicated for playing pickleball, with 88% of respondents citing it as their main motivation. Health and fitness followed as the primary factor for 54% of respondents. Playing for the social aspect came in third as the most common reason for taking part in the sport.

The number of Canadians with a Pickleball Canada membership also grew by 25% from the end of 2023 (68,102 members) to the end of 2024 (85,223 members). This increase can be attributed to the vibrant pickleball community, and the many benefits Pickleball Canada members enjoy, including access to sanctioned tournaments nationwide, a cutting-edge officiating program, coaching opportunities, and exciting local and provincial/territorial club initiatives.

The survey highlighted some of the barriers Canadians may face when trying to participate in pickleball. The two main obstacles indicated in the results were a lack of information about the sport (21%) and a shortage of facilities (15%). To address these challenges, the organization is enhancing its communication strategies over the spring and summer of 2025 with the implementation of an Ambassador program, and has introduced a Facility Task Team, which launched in the fall of 2024 and is building informational resources to assist Pickleball Canada members in advocating for the construction of pickleball facilities within their communities.

Overall, the trends seen in this most recent survey tells us pickleball is still on the incline in Canadian society. 

For more information, please contact: 

info@pickleballcanada.org