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

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

Attention All Members!:

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

Operating at arms length from the Board of Directors, the Nominating 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 Board 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.

Pickleball Canada Thinks Turkey for National Protein Partnership

Partnership aims to position turkey as the perfect protein for pickleball players

TORONTO, ON, February 28 – Today, Pickleball Canada named Think Turkey as the National Protein Partner of Pickleball Canada and Presenting Partner of the 2024 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship. The partnership will establish turkey as the protein of choice for active Canadians, while also supporting the growth of the sport in Canada.

“As a lean and nutritious protein, turkey can keep professional and everyday athletes at the top of their game,” said Darren Ference, Chair, Turkey Farmers of Canada. “Through our partnership with Pickleball Canada, we hope to tap into the thriving pickleball community and introduce more Canadians to this family-friendly sport.”

As part of the year-long partnership, Think Turkey and Pickleball Canada are cooking up exciting activations ranging from athlete appearances to pop-up courts, giveaways, grassroots facets such as new youth programming to come, as well as partnership of the Pickleball Canada Regional and National Championships.

“We are proud to welcome Think Turkey to the Pickleball Canada family of partners,” said Val Vollmin, President, Pickleball Canada. “Turkey and pickleball are the perfect match for a healthy lifestyle, and we look forward to sharing that message with pickleball players and fans this year.”

Pickleball has surged off the charts in popularity in recent years, with nearly 1.4 million Canadians participating in the sport currently, marking a 37% increase over the previous year. The rise in popularity can be attributed to pickleball being a fun and social sport that boasts a variety of health and fitness benefits.

“Like a turkey dinner, Pickleball brings people of all ages together,” said Mark Hubert, President and CEO, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors. “We’re thrilled to team up with Pickleball Canada and its star athletes to bring exciting new collaborations and engaging activations to communities throughout the year.”

To celebrate the partnership and encourage more Canadians to try pickleball and turkey, Think Turkey is hosting a contest for a chance to win 1 of 5 pickleball paddle sets! All entrants during the contest period will also be eligible for a grand prize draw for a chance to win 1 of 10 $100 grocery gift cards to stock their fridge with turkey for pre-and post-game meals.

For more information and healthy recipes, visit ThinkTurkey.ca

About Think Turkey

Turkey Farmers of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors’ Turkey Primary Processing Sector Members launched Think TurkeyTM / Pensez DindonMC in 2019 – a national, bilingual campaign aimed to boost turkey consumption. The fully integrated program includes advertising, digital, retail, PR, influencer, paid social and more, and focuses on engaging primary meal planners to raise awareness of the benefits of turkey, drive year-round demand and increase overall consumption.

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.

For more information:

Dane Gomez
Sponsorship Canada
Business Director, Partnerships
dane@sponsorshipcanada.com
C: 647-784-4112

Jessica Smith
Zeno Group
Account Manager
jessica.smith@zenogroup.com
C: 905-733-8518

Pickleball Canada is hiring a Membership and Event Services Coordinator

Position Type:  Full time – 37.5 hours per week

Application Deadline Date: March 15, 2024

Location:  Remote

Expected Start Date:  May 1, 2024

Supervisor:   Executive Director

The employer is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability. The employer welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.

Pickleball Canada is the national sport organization that governs, promotes, and leads the development of pickleball in Canada. We are seeking an individual with excellent interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, event delivery experience and knowledge of the sport of pickleball and pickleball in Canada. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Membership and Event Services Coordinator will assist in building Pickleball Canada’s membership services department.

General Duties:

  • Assist Work Groups, Task Teams and Provincial/Territorial Organizations (PTSOs) with the day-to-day coordination and administration of programs.
  • Update program documentation for posting on the Pickleball Canada website and social media and ensure that all sport communications are in English and French.
  • Provide relevant information to the Project and Communications Coordinator to promote programs, highlight players, tournaments, etc.
  • Assist with the creation of annual programming budgets.
  • Ensure that all events and programs are monitored and evaluated for effectiveness on a regular cycle.

Partner Servicing:

  • Liaise with Pickleball Canada corporate partners in the execution of sponsorship agreements.
  • Coordinate the delivery of programming in conjunction with Pickleball Canada PTSOs and corporate partners.

Pickleball Canada Major Tournaments:

  • Act as the key liaison between Pickleball Canada and the host club, providing answers from the appropriate area lead.
  • Assist the Project and Communications Coordinator to develop a social media and website content plan promoting the various Pickleball Canada Championship tournaments.

Tournaments:

  • Lead Pickleball Canada’s tournament approval process.
  • Work in the Pickleball Brackets software to manage sanctioned tournament approvals.
  • Manage the Pickleball Canada online calendar of sanctioned tournaments.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

  • A strong knowledge of, and passion for, the sport of Pickleball.
  • Knowledge of the Canadian sport system.
  • Minimum two (2) years of sport administration/business experience and/or event management experience and/or sponsorship experience.
  • Ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with staff, volunteers, and external service providers.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to set priorities, multi- task and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Office, Google Drive and Adobe Acrobat Pro, Zoom and Google Meet.
  • Demonstrated comfort and ability to learn and work with web-based applications.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that comes with an emerging sport with tremendous growth.
  • Strong team player, with the ability to work independently.
  • Experience in developing and delivering programs.
  • Understand the principles of Safe Sport.
  • Understand the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
  • Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Pickleball Canada.

Commitment:

  • Possibility of some evenings and weekends.
  • Possibility of some overnight travel and away-from-home work.

NOTE: Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset.

A satisfactory police records check will be required as a condition of hire.

APPLICATION PROCESS – Apply in confidence by sending your cover letter and resume by March 15, 2024, to: hr@pickleballcanada.org

A Look Back to National Pickleball Day 2023

Saturday, August 10, marked National Pickleball Day 2023 in Canada. This day is marked as a day for celebration to promote the pickleball across the country. This day is an excellent way to increase awareness to new players and promote the social inclusion and health benefits this game brings to all.

This last National Pickleball Day was celebrated from coast to coast to showcase that pickleball is an incredible sport that is fun for everyone.

A few highlights of the stories received include:

  • Shediac, New Brunswick – The Shediac Pickleball Club’s National Pickleball Day event had open play pickleball. They served a corn boil for lunch with around 60 members in attendance including some Shediac Town staff and councillors
  • St. Thomas, Ontario – The St. Thomas Pickleball Club posted signs at their outdoor courts inviting any and all to try pickleball. They mixed up club members and non-club players to create the social/fun side of the game.
  • L’ Ange-Gardien, Quebec – A group in the town of L’ Ange-Gardien, Quebec invited fans of the sport to familiarize themselves with activity. They offered a fun social event for all.
  • Powell River, British Columbia – A group which formed in 2020 by Barb Struch who organized a learn-to-play program for seniors in the area hosted a reunion for the group. There were dinking games, court play, two barbecues during this event.
  • Miltonvale, Prince Edward Island – In Miltonvale they celebrated National Pickleball Day with a fun tournament. There were two categories, recreational and advanced. For a number of the players in the recreational category it was their first-time experiencing tournament play. There was a hotdog/ hamburger barbecue lunch between the categories. It was a good time had by all!

Mark the date for Saturday, August 10, 2024, on your calendars for National Pickleball Day 2024! We can not wait to see how this day is celebrated this year! Make sure to submit your story to info@pickleballcanada.org this National Pickleball Day to be featured.

Pickleball Canada’s 2024 Atlantic Regional Dates and Location Announced

Ottawa – ON – January 29, 2024 – Pickleball Canada’s Atlantic Regional Championship will be hosted by Events Moncton and Pickleball Moncton and be held at the Moncton Coliseum/Agrena Complex in Moncton, New Brunswick. The event will take place June 13th – June 16th, 2024 and look to unite pickleball players from all over Atlantic Canada.

Pickleball Moncton has had great success with hosting pickleball specific events in the past. Most recently they hosted the 2022 Provincial Championships, which brought in 236 players from around the great province of New Brunswick.

“Pickleball Canada is very pleased to have the beautiful City of Moncton as the host for the Atlantic Regionals,” said Val Vollmin Pickleball Canada President. “Mark it in your calendars and join us for some great pickleball.”

Alden Briggs, President of Pickleball New Brunswick adds “I am extremely pleased and proud that Pickleball Moncton will be host the 2024 Atlantic Regional Championships and I fully expect that they will deliver a top-notch tournament for players in the Atlantic region.”

The event will be played on concrete with roughly 24 courts located indoor at the Moncton Coliseum/Agrena Complex. Franklin will be the official ball for the 2024 Pickleball Canada Atlantic Regionals, with Franklin being the official ball and paddle of Pickleball Canada.

“Pickleball is becoming more and more popular and we are thrilled to help grow this great sport for people of all skill levels and ability. We look forward to hosting all these great players” said Maurice Belliveau, President of Pickleball Moncton.

Over the course of these three days, it is expected over 400 players from all over Atlantic Canada will be in attendance to compete for the coveted title of the Atlantic Canada’s best pickleball player. Competition categories 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.

The City of Moncton is situated in the Petitcodiac River Valley also known has the ‘Hub City’, which earned it’s nickname by the city’s central inland location in the region and for being the land transportation hub for the Atlantic Canada.

“We are extremely pleased to host the Atlantic Championships for 2024,” said Events Moncton Co-Chair Bill Whalen. “It will be a great opportunity for fans to see the best in our region in the fastest growing sport in North America.”

These Regionals will offer incredible social events and a spectacular pickleball competition for all players. More information on this is to follow.

For more information, please contact:

Moe Belliveau Pickleball Moncton

mbelliveau100@outlook.com

Pickleball Canada

info@pickleballcanada.org  

Rescue 7 joins Pickleball Canada to help save lives and further health and safety

MARKHAM, ON – January 24, 2024 – Rescue 7 Inc., a leading national health and safety training company which specializes in first aid, CPR and AED training and distributing automated external defibrillators (AEDs), announced today that it has signed a multiyear partnership with Pickleball Canada. As part of the agreement, Rescue 7 is committed to helping pickleball players across the country enhance safety and provide related training.

The partnership is set to kick off this week on January 26 at Rescue 7’s 8th annual Winter Carnival  at the Heights of Horseshoe Ski & Country Club located in Barrie, Ontario. All proceeds for this annual event go towards the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund and the Rescue 7 Forward Hearts Program – both programs donate defibrillators to charities and non-profit organizations across Canada.  

“The game of pickleball has taken Canada by a storm, and it is incredible to see the sport gaining popularity in cities and towns across the country. Sport and safety go hand in hand, and Rescue 7 is committed to keeping Canadians safe as they hit the court,” said John Collie, CEO at Rescue 7. “We are thrilled to partner with Pickleball Canada and we are excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

According to Rescue 7’s research, cardiac arrest occurs roughly once every seven minutes heightening the importance around preparation, education, and training for a sport surging on and off the court.

Even among youth, Pickleball Canada’s latest data reflects an approximately 50% increase in participation among high school graduates in pickleball, and nearly a 70% increase among those with less than a high school education. Given these statistics, safety, CPR training, and knowledge around AEDs is paramount for all age groups. To date, Rescue 7 and their partner Coromed in the US have deployed 200,000+ units across North America and are featured in multiple key retailers and facilities across the country.

“Pickleball Canada is very pleased to welcome Rescue 7 as our latest partner in the health and safety training category,” said Val Vollmin, President of Pickleball Canada. “As a leading health and safety training organization, this company should be a great addition for our affiliated clubs to be equipped with the necessary tools and resources to save lives! Pickleball Canada is looking to bringing RESCUE 7’s health & safety tips tothe pickleball community in Canada.”

In the coming days, Rescue 7 will begin rolling out a preferred pricing program for the AEDs for Pickleball Canada member clubs along with CPR, AED, and first aid training to collectively start today, in saving a life tomorrow.

About Rescue 7

Rescue 7 CEO John Collie, a long-time firefighter in the Toronto area, knew through responding to emergencies that many tragedies can be prevented, and out of this grew the Rescue 7 mission. For more than 25 years, Rescue 7 has delivered end-to-end CPR, AED, first aid training and health and safety programs to more than 8,000 corporations across Canada. To learn more, visit www.rescue7.net, or call 1-888-294-4208.

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

For more information on this partnership, please contact:

Dane Gomez
Sponsorship Canada
Business Director, Partnerships
dane@sponsorshipcanada.com
C: 647-784-4112

Vernon Pickleball Association’s New Officiating Program 

The Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA) is located in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The VPA is home to over 1100 members with 300 on the waitlist. In 2023 the association was voted the Top Pickleball Club in Canada by Pickleball Today.

The VPA runs three one day tournaments and one three-day sanctioned tournament each year.  Additionally, they hosted the first B.C. Championships in 2023 with 620 competitors. In order to successfully run provincials, they utilized 40+ officials. At the time the VPA only had three accredited referees. And so, in preparation for the 2023 Provincial Championships a referee training program occurred that resulted in the number of accredited referees in the VPA reaching 14 by the end of year.  There were many bumps and bruises along the way, and lots of learning of what not to do!  From this experience the VPA knew that it should create a referee training program that facilitated the development of new referees in a supportive environment in preparation for hosting the 2024 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championships 25 – 29 July, 2024.

Starting in October of 2023 Richard Chambers the Tournament Director at the VPA recruited Shannon McClean and Suzan Ross (both Level 2 credentialed referees at VPA) as coordinators of the referee training program. As well, five Level 1 referees volunteered to act as mentors.

On November 2, 2023, the program launched, and seventeen potential referees began training. During the first few lessons they learned the basics of the program such as how to hold a clipboard and how to call the score. These basic steps were taken slowly in order for the new referees to develop confidence in their abilities. From there they started to include the script and brought in time-out and game procedures followed by faults and most recently they introduced disciplinary actions and procedures. 

“Once people gained more confidence after the first few lessons people really started enjoying it and having fun. They started to realize the impact referees have on their club”, stated Suzan Ross one of the Coordinators for the Referee Program.

Many of the referees in training have found this program to be very helpful and appreciate the steps the VPA has taken to create a supportive program that has built their confidence.

“I am thrilled the VPA is holding a referee training program. They are making a huge effort to train new recruits for our organization, and they are taking their time to give us a better understanding of what it takes to become a new Referee”, said Ziggy Kreipe, one of the referees in training.

This program has not only been a big help for new referees but also for the referee mentors as it puts their knowledge to the test in guiding the referees in training. It assists the mentors in keeping their skills fresh for tournament season.

“It has been gratifying to see these trainees grow their skills so that they will be so much more prepared for tournament time. Plus, my own knowledge base has grown, and I too have benefitted as we discuss as a group the game procedures. In my opinion it’s a fun, casual learning environment that has and will benefit everybody”, said Referee Mentor Sandy Vaughan Hastie.

For more information, please contact:

info@pickleballcanada.org