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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.

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 14^th to September 15^th, 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.

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

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 10^th, 2024.

For more information please contact:

Richard Chambers, Tournament Director: pcwrc2024@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada: info@pickleballcanada.org

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 13^th – June 16^th, 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

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 20^th – August 24^th 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

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 Turkey^TM / Pensez Dindon^MC 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