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WINNIPEG, MB and TORONTO, ON – April 7, 2026 – IG Wealth Management (“IG”) and Pickleball Canada today announced a multi-year national partnership that will see IG become the organization’s Official Wealth Management Partner and Title Partner of the Pickleball Canada National Championship.

The partnership reflects IG’s commitment to fostering healthy, active communities and creating meaningful connections with Canadians through shared passions. Through this sponsorship, IG will support Pickleball Canada’s national programming, grassroots development initiatives and marquee events across the country. This includes the Pickleball Canada National Championship, scheduled to take place at Pickleplex Social Clubs in the Greater Toronto Area from August 24–30, 2026.

“As Canadians increasingly look for ways to stay active, socially connected, and healthy, pickleball offers a uniquely accessible path to supporting long‑term well‑being and connection – values that closely reflect our purpose at IG,” said Damon Murchison, President and CEO, IG Wealth Management. “Just as we help Canadians build their game plan for a confident financial future, we’re proud to support a sport that brings people together across generations and communities.”

Pickleball participation in Canada is growing rapidly.  More than 1.8 million Canadians play at least once a month, with annual expected growth rates of 15-20 per cent as the sport continues to grow in younger demographics, reports Pickleball Canada.   IG’s sponsorship will enable Pickleball Canada to further expand access to the game, strengthen national competitions, and support athletes, officials, and volunteers coast to coast.

“Pickleball Canada is incredibly excited to officially kick off this partnership with IG Wealth Management. As a key supporter of the continued growth and development of our sport, their commitment will help elevate pickleball to new heights across the country. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for our athletes, clubs, and communities, and ensuring the game continues to thrive at every level,” said Pickleball Canada’s Executive Director, Barry Petrachenko.

The 2026 Pickleball Canada National Championship will feature the sport’s top athletes from across the country and is expected to draw strong national participation and spectator interest. IG’s involvement will include on-site engagement, brand integration, and community-focused initiatives designed to enhance the championship experience for players and fans.

This sponsorship represents another way IG supports well-being in the places where Canadians live, work, and play – while reinforcing our core purpose of helping people feel confident about their financial lives today and into the future. As pickleball’s popularity continues to rise, IG sees a natural opportunity to support Canadians beyond finances – helping people feel confident, supported, and engaged in the moments that matter most.

About IG Wealth Management

Founded in 1926, IG Wealth Management is a Canadian leader in delivering financial planning with approximately $168 billion in assets under management as of February 28, 2026. For more than 95 years, IG has been focused on improving the financial well-being of Canadians so they can confidently embrace all of life’s possibilities. Through a network of advisors located across the country, IG provides approximately one million clients with personalized advice, comprehensive financial planning, insurance and mortgage services and professionally managed investment solutions. IG is a member of IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM), part of the Power Corporation group of companies and one of Canada’s leading diversified wealth and asset management organizations with approximately $326 billion in total assets under management and advisement as of February 28, 2026. For more information, visit ig.ca.

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 on Pickleball Canada, please contact info@pickleballcanada.org or visit pickleballcanada.org

Media Inquires – IG Canada

Jaimie Roebuck

647-629-2747                                                 

jaimie.roebuck@igmfinancial.com

Media Inquires – Pickleball Canada

Elizabeth Werner

613-691-6826

Elizabeth.werner@pickleballcanada.org

The 2026 IG Wealth Management National Championships Presented by HearingLife will take place August 24–30, 2026, in Toronto, Ontario, hosted at Pickleplex Social Club’s Downsview and Vaughan locations. An extra day has been added to accommodate increased interest in the event, and allows for the participation of up to 1,000 participants.

This event will provide athletes with the opportunity to compete in gender doubles, mixed doubles, and singles in age-based events that will take place during the week. Skill-based events will take place over the closing weekend, with Open Championships to be held Friday – Sunday.

Open divisions, designed for 5.0+ DUPR players, will follow a double-elimination format to crown national champions. All other events will begin with round-robin play, advancing into single-elimination medal rounds that will include bronze medal matches.

Registration will occur in two phases. Pre-registration opens Thursday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m ET for Gold Medal winners from the 2025 Pickleball Canada National Championship, with eligible participants receiving an email containing a registration code.

Following pre-registration, a lottery system will be used for general registration – the high level of interest in events requires this step to maintain fairness in the registration process while keeping pace with the increasing demand for entries.  Individuals may register for the lottery starting Thursday, April 23 at 9:00 am ET on the National Championship Registration site.

The lottery will take place on Thursday, April 30 and successful lottery bids will be notified the same day – registration payment will be required by May 3 to secure their spot. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the spot, which will then be offered to individuals on the waitlist. Please note that for doubles events, both partners must complete payment by May 3. If one or both partners fail to do so, the team will forfeit its spot.

Key Registration Details:

• Registration fee: $165, plus $45 per event entered
• Registration closes August 10, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET, however we encourage players to register early as we expect to reach capacity
• Withdrawals or cancellations submitted on or before August 3, 2026, are eligible for a refund less a $15 administrative fee. Requests received after this date are not eligible for a refund. No refunds will be issued after the deadline for any reason, including illness, injury, or unforeseen circumstances.
• Registration for the event will be done through pickleball.com at this this link: National Championship Registration

Event Schedule:

• August 23 – Set Up & Practice
• August 24 – Age – Mixed Doubles
• August 25 – Age – Men’s Doubles, Skill – Women’s Singles 4.0 categories 4.0, Open, Senior Open
• August 26 – Age – Women’s Doubles, Skill – Men’s Singles 4.0 categories, Open, Senior Open
• August 27 – Provincial Team Competition, Junior Doubles, Skill – Men’s & Women’s Singles categories 3.0 & 3.5
• August 28 – Skill – Mixed Doubles, Mixed Doubles Open, Mixed Doubles Senior Open
• August 29 – Skill – Men’s Doubles, Men’s Doubles Open, Men’s Doubles Senior Open
• August 30 – Skill – Women’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles Open, Women’s Doubles Senior Open

One of the many highlights of the event is the Provincial Team Competition (PTC) on Thursday, August 27. Introduced at last year’s National Championship in Winnipeg, this competition brings together teams representing each province, all vying to dethrone British Columbia, the inaugural champions. Be sure to attend and stay tuned for more details surrounding the competition and make sure to reach out to your Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) to learn how you can get involved.

To ensure you are eligible to compete at the event and for more information surrounding our championships, please head to our website to review the criteria here: National Championship FAQ

Pickleball Canada is seeking volunteers with professional experience in legal, accounting, finance, technology, governance, or entrepreneurial fields, as well as individuals with sport industry experience, including high-performance sport expertise, to serve on its Board of Directors for terms beginning June 25, 2026.

We welcome candidates from across the country. At present, the Board does not have representation from Alberta, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut, and nominations from individuals in these regions are strongly encouraged.

For the upcoming year there will be five (5) positions up for election. Four of the positions will be elected for a three (3) year term, and one (1) position will be elected for a one (1) year term. All terms will commence at the close of the Pickleball Canada Annual General Meeting.

Interested individuals must complete the Nominee Application Form outlining their interest and experience.

The completed application must be received by Pickleball Canada no later than April 15, 2026 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.

For more information please contact: info@pickleballcanada.org

On February 26, 2026, Pickleball Canada held a Special General Meeting where members exercised their voting rights to strengthen the organization’s governance framework and long-term stability.

All six proposed bylaw amendments were approved with strong support from the membership. These changes mark an important step forward as Pickleball Canada continues to modernize its governance structure and position the organization for sustainable growth.

The approved amendments will benefit members by:

• Reducing annual Board turnover and establishing three-year terms for directors, resulting in approximately one-third of the Board being elected each year and improving continuity and retention of organizational knowledge. 
• Amending the election process to recognize the importance of the vetting process conducted by the Nominations Committee.
• Formalizing the role of National Pickleball Advisory Council (NPAC) and establishing the NPAC within the Bylaws.  

These bylaw amendments further support the NPAC in its role of fostering strong relationships among national, provincial, and territorial pickleball organizations. By bringing together Provincial and Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) leaders, the NPAC helps build a more coordinated, integrated, and unified pickleball system across Canada.

The amendments will also guide the nominations process for the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for June 25, 2026.

Additional details regarding the AGM will be shared in the coming months.

K-Swiss Named Official Preferred Footwear of Pickleball Canada

Montreal, QC, Canada — February 6th, 2026 — K-Swiss, the iconic performance footwear brand with deep roots in racquet sports, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Pickleball Canada, formally establishing K-Swiss as the preferred footwear partner of Pickleball Canada. This collaboration supports the continued expansion of pickleball across Canada and reinforces K-Swiss’s commitment to athletes and communities across all levels of sport.

Through this partnership, K-Swiss will play an integral role in supporting and elevating Pickleball Canada’s National Championships, while also contributing to select events across the country. As part of its commitment to growing the sport, K-Swiss will actively promote Pickleball Canada within retail locations nationwide, helping to raise awareness and connect new audiences to the game. This partnership will help drive new development opportunities and support the continued growth of pickleball nationwide, with a commitment to supporting and enhancing Pickleball Canada’s initiatives nationwide.

“We are thrilled to partner with Pickleball Canada as the preferred footwear provider,” said Leo Incollingo, brand director of K-Swiss Performance Canada. “Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada, and this partnership reflects our belief in the sport’s potential and the community that drives it. We look forward to supporting players at all levels with performance-driven footwear.”

Barry Petrachenko Pickleball Canada’s Executive Directer said, “K-Swiss is a terrific partner whose longstanding legacy in court sports and commitment to innovation align perfectly with our vision for the sport. Having a dedicated pickleball shoe supporting Pickleball Canada is an exciting step forward, and this partnership will enhance the experience for players while strengthening our events and programs from coast to coast to coast.”

Pickleball has experienced dynamic growth in recent years, with close to two million Canadians now playing the sport nationwide. Pickleball Canada, the sport’s national governing body, has been at the forefront of this growth by supporting players, standardizing competition, and fostering a welcoming environment for both new and experienced participants. This continued momentum is strengthened through partnerships such as K-Swiss, whose support of Pickleball Canada events includes the introduction of innovative products designed to enhance the athlete and participant experience across the country.

About K-Swiss:
Founded in 1966, K-Swiss has a rich heritage rooted in tennis. The brand was started by two Swiss brothers—Art and Ernie Brunner—who set out to make durable, performance-driven footwear designed for the demands of competitive court sports. Over the decades, K-Swiss has evolved into a global leader in high-quality athletic footwear, renowned for innovation, comfort, and support.

From its early dominance in tennis to modern advancements in performance running and court sports, K-Swiss remains a trusted choice among athletes. K-Swiss’s commitment to craftsmanship and athlete-centered design has made it a staple in the world of performance footwear.

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 on Pickleball Canada, please contact info@pickleballcanada.org or
visit pickleballcanada.org

For more information about K-Swiss Performance Canada, please contact: Logica Sport / K-Swiss
Performance Canada:
Leo Incollingo: Leo@logica.ca

For more information regarding Pickleball Canada, please contact: info@pickleballcanada.org

Club Med has always believed that the best vacations are the ones where people are free to do what they love in places where they move, connect, and share meaningful moments together. Pickleball perfectly reflects that philosophy. It’s an accessible, social sport, welcoming by design. Families, beginners, all ages and skill levels can step onto the court. In the rally, everyone belongs.

Pickleball Canada brings credibility, structure, and a fast-growing community to the partnership, proudly
aligning with Club Med’s superior pickleball offering. With iconic destinations, a unique lifestyle spirit, and decades of expertise in creating environments where generations play together, Club Med has established itself as a leader in pickleball experiences in North America. Across five resorts, Club Med offers an unmatched pickleball footprint with 34 courts, supported by passionate and highly trained Great Organizers (GOs). The program goes far beyond access to courts, delivering structured training, multiple hours of instruction each week, daily social play, and tournaments, making pickleball a central part of the guest experience.

Together, they are turning the world’s fastest-growing sport into the world’s most effortless escape. Serving Up Paradise becomes more than a tagline. It becomes an invitation. A way of experiencing vacation, where play becomes a reason to travel, connect, and return.

Club Med, the pioneer of the all-inclusive resort concept, is proud to announce an official partnership with Pickleball Canada, the national governing body of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Together, they are serving up a new way to experience vacation where play, connection, and all-inclusive ease come together effortlessly.

As pickleball continues its explosive growth, Club Med’s partnership, as the exclusive partner in the resort category, is a natural extension of its longstanding commitment to sports, active living, and community. The collaboration will highlight Club Med’s world-class sports facilities and programming across its five North American resorts, which collectively offer 34 pickleball courts, all designed for both recreational play and professional-level tournaments.

Throughout the year, Club Med and Pickleball Canada will roll out a series of activations as part of this
new partnership. As Pickleball Canada’s Exclusive Resort Category Partner, Club Med will host an
immersive pickleball-themed press trip in Michès Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic, strengthening the connection between sport and premium lifestyle travel. The partnership will also feature a special Club Med vacation giveaway, exclusively for Pickleball Canada members, offering one winner the opportunity to experience the brand’s all-inclusive resort lifestyle firsthand. Supported by strong digital visibility across Pickleball Canada’s channels, the collaboration will highlight Club Med’s best offers for active, sport focused vacations, while connecting the brand with a fast-growing, engaged community of players.

This announcement follows the brand’s continuous investment in pickleball facilities and its ongoing
commitment to sports and active living. Recognized as the world’s most popular sports school with a
pioneering spirit, Club Med introduced its first pickleball courts in 2017 and has continued to expand the
offering ever since. Club Med is also actively expanding its pickleball footprint in Ontario through its
collaboration with Fairgrounds Pickleball Courts and other main players in the pickleball scene in Canada
further positioning Club Med as a leading destination for sports enthusiasts and families of all levels.

“We are thrilled to partner with Pickleball Canada as part of our ongoing commitment to sports, active
living, and community-driven experiences. This collaboration is a natural fit for both our brands, grounded in shared values and a highly engaged community. It also represents an important step in expanding pickleball across our North American resorts, while supporting our long-term vision to grow Club Med’s awareness in Canada and continue to pioneer premium, active vacation experiences.” Club Med Canada’s Vice President, Vincent Giraud.

“We are pleased to welcome Club Med as the Official All-Inclusive Resorts partner of Pickleball Canada.
Our shared commitment to excellence and our aligned vision to develop and grow pickleball make this a
natural and exciting partnership. Together, we look forward to creating innovative opportunities, enhancing the participant experience, and supporting the continued growth of pickleball for players, clubs, and communities across Canada” Pickleball Canada’s Executive Director, Barry Petrachenko.

This collaboration reinforces Club Med’s reputation as a global leader in premium sports and wellness
travel, offering between 10-15 sports and activities per resort, from pickleball to sailing, golfing, circus,
fitness. It also represents an exciting opportunity to connect with the vibrant and ever-growing pickleball
community through shared values of active, social, and all-inclusive experiences.

For more information on Club Med’s pickleball offerings and upcoming programming, visit
https://www.clubmed.ca/l/sports or www.pickleballcanada.org.

ABOUT CLUB MED:

Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gérard Blitz, is the pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, operating over 60
premium resorts in stunning locations around the world including North and South America, Caribbean,
Asia, Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean. Each Club Med resort features authentic local style and
comfortably upscale accommodations, superior sports programming and activities, enriching children’s
programs, gourmet dining, and warm and friendly service by its world-renowned staff with legendary
hospitality skills, an all-encompassing energy and diverse backgrounds. Club Med operates in 40 countries spanning across 5 continents and continues to maintain its authentic Club Med spirit with an international staff of more than 23,000 employees from more than 110 different nationalities. Led by its pioneering spirit, Club Med continues to grow and adapt to each market with three to five new resort openings or renovations per year, including a new mountain resort annually.

For more information, visit https://www.clubmed.ca/. For an inside look at Club Med, follow Club Med on
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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.

Contacts:
Zoï PR Agency
clubmed@agence-zoi.com

Pickleball Canada
info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada has officially launched its Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a host for the 2027 Pickleball Canada National Championships, the organization’s premier event. Hosted annually, the National Championship brings together 800+ pickleball players in the country, celebrating excellence in play from recreational athletes to elite competitors. The event delivers significant economic, community, and sport-development benefits to the host region while celebrating excellence in Canadian pickleball.

Hosting the Pickleball Canada National Championships leaves a lasting legacy for the local community, positioning the host region as a hub for the continued growth of pickleball while welcoming athletes from coast to coast. The event generates meaningful economic benefits through participant registrations, local sponsorships, merchandise, and eligibility for municipal, provincial, and federal sport hosting grants. 

Beyond the economic impact, hosting elevates the profile of the host city and club on a national stage, creates valuable volunteer and community engagement opportunities, and strengthens local pickleball culture. From a sport development perspective, the National Championships shine a spotlight on local facilities and provide access to promotional initiatives that help grow and sustain the sport long after the event concludes.

Through the 2027 Request for Proposals process, Pickleball Canada is seeking hosts that can demonstrate strong operational capability, access to high quality facilities, experienced event management personnel, and the ability to support and collaborate closely with Pickleball Canada staff in delivering a premier national championship experience.

Interested parties must submit a Letter of Intent by March 2, 2026. Full bid proposals are due by April 1, 2026. Proposals will be reviewed by Pickleball Canada, with a successful host expected to be announced following the evaluation process.

Please review the full RFP document that outlines hosting requirements, evaluation criteria, event scope, and submission details.The full RFP document can be found here.

For more information or questions regarding the RFP process, interested parties may contact tamara.edwards@pickleballcanada.org

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.

Position Title:                            Manager of Officiating

Position Type:                           Volunteer (approx.10-15 hours per week)

Application Deadline Date:   February 13, 2026

Location:                                   Remote

Expected Start Date:               March 1, 2026

Compensation:                          Expense Reimbursement and Stipends

Supervisor:                                Executive Director

Description of Duties

• Lead and manage the Pickleball Canada Officiating Program, including development, recruitment, evaluation, and maintenance.
• Support the development and oversight of the annual officiating budget.
• Oversee the delivery of officiating programs through the Officiating Workgroup at the provincial and territorial levels, ensuring training standards and rule updates are current and effectively communicated.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all officiating-related matters, maintaining effective communication with stakeholders and Pickleball Canada staff, particularly the Director of Events & Programs.
• Support Tournament Directors and Pickleball Canada staff in maintaining high standards of safety, risk management, and tournament operations regarding officiating matters.
• Oversee the Certified Referee Evaluation and Referee Maintenance Programs, including appeals, performance monitoring, and compliance expectations.
• Triage complaints involving credentialed referees.
• Supervise program volunteers, including the Officiating Testing Coordinator and Officiating Database Coordinator.
• Make recommendations on officiating program personnel appointments, including volunteer positions and the Head Referee for National Championships, to the Executive Director through the Director of Events & Programs.
• Liaise with international federations on officiating matters and represent Pickleball Canada’s interests.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Executive Director through the Director of Events & Programs.

Position Requirements:

• Current or previously recognized Pickleball Canada Credential Referee.
• Experience in developing and delivering programs.
• 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.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using computer programs, including Word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, online meetings, and digital filing systems.
• Ability to act in the best interests of the officiating program, while managing varied stakeholder interests and inputs.
• Understand the principles of Safe Sport, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
• Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Pickleball Canada.

NOTES:

Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset.

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

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume in one pdf document file named [LASTNAME, FIRST NAME, MANAGER OF OFFICIATING APPLICATION] by February 13, 2026, to: hr@pickleballcanada.org.