PICKLEBALL CANADA – SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

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.

Pickleball Canada Announces Venue for the 2025 Myoflex® National Championship Presented by HearingLife

Ottawa, ON – March 14, 2025 – Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce the official venue for the 2025 Myoflex® National Championship Presented by HearingLife, taking place August 19 – 24th at the Taylor Tennis Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

This facility allows for outstanding accommodations for both athletes and spectators. There will be a total of 32 indoor courts that will be used throughout the event on a plexipave surface that will be popular among participants.

“Pickleball Manitoba is thrilled to advise the chosen venue for the 2025 Myoflex® National Championship Presented by HearingLife will be The Taylor Tennis Centre in Winnipeg. The venue is equipped with top-quality amenities, including spacious courts, comfortable lounge seating for spectators, and modern locker rooms.  This exciting announcement marks a significant milestone for the sport of pickleball in Manitoba. Our organizing committee is eager to welcome players, coaches, and fans to what promises to be an unforgettable national championship event in 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a newcomer, The Taylor Tennis Centre will provide the perfect environment to showcase talent, sportsmanship, and passion for the game”, said Pickleball Manitoba President Ted Fardoe.

“We are incredibly excited to have the 2025 Myoflex® National Championship Presented by HearingLife at the Taylor Tennis Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba this year. This incredible venue offers everything we need to showcase immense talent amongst our participants. It will be the perfect backdrop for a championship that promises to be filled with passion, excellence, and sportsmanship”, declared Val Vollmin Pickleball Canada President.

Registration for the event will open Tuesday, April 15th at 4:00 p.m. CST and will close July 20 at 11:59 p.m. CST for the event. Pre-registration will take place on Tuesday, April 8 for the event for gold medal winners at Pickleball Canada’s 2024 Regional events. More information surrounding registration will be provided.

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the event, including registration details, tournament schedules, and exciting community engagement opportunities leading up to the championship!

For more information, please contact:

info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball in Canada – January 2025 Survey

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

Pickleball Canada is seeking Ambassadors

Are you enthusiastic, outgoing, and passionate about expanding pickleball? We’re looking for dynamic and outgoing individuals who are eager to contribute their time and energy to Pickleball Canada. Whether you’re interested in event planning, community outreach, or assisting with our communication efforts, we would love to have you on board!

Key Responsibilities:

  • Represent Pickleball Canada organization in their community.
  • Assist with social media engagement and content creation.
  • Help facilitate communication between different teams and stakeholders.
  • Engage with our audience via email, phone, or in person to share updates and promote initiatives.
  • Be willing to take active leadership role in their pickleball community.
  • Collaborate with other volunteers and staff to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Ideal Candidate:

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Outgoing, personable, and comfortable engaging with diverse groups of people.
  • Strong organizational skills with an ability to multitask and manage time effectively.
  • Creative mindset with the ability to think on your feet and solve problems.
  • A passion for our cause and a desire to help us reach our goals.
  • Previous volunteer or work experience in similar roles is a plus, but not required.

Why Volunteer with Us?

  • Build new connections with professionals and like-minded individuals.
  • Make a tangible impact on our organization and community.
  • Receive training, support, and recognition for your contributions.

The Pickleball Canada Ambassador Program is a new initiative that Pickleball Canada is launching to better reach their membership. Pickleball Canada is looking for individuals across Canada to represent their organization in their own pickleball community. This position will be for one full year with a maximum of three years extension.

How to Apply: Please fill out this application form here: https://form.jotform.com/243395069794270

Please note all application are due on Friday, February 21, 2025.  

Any questions can be directed to info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada is hiring a Program and Events Director

Position Type:                       Full time – 37.5 hours per week

Application Deadline Date:  January 17, 2025

Location:                                Remote

Expected Start Date:            February 15, 2025

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 extensive knowledge of the sport of pickleball and pickleball in Canada, with good interpersonal skills and a positive attitude. The main responsibility of the Program and Events Director is to help build Pickleball Canada’s sport department, while reporting to the Executive Director.

 General Duties:

  • Supervision of volunteer development pathway positions in the areas of Coaching, Officiating and Player Development
    • Coaching
      • Develop and administer direction of coaching support efforts Liaise with Coach Certification Program leads
      Officiating
      • Implement enhanced officiating development programs and monitor provincial delivery and administration Administer Officiating Certification Program
    • Player Development
      • Development and implementation of a long-term player development model
      • Development of a High-Performance Program
  • Program budget creation and maintenance
  • Maintenance of all program administration
  • Oversight of National Championships

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, or any other relevant 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 January 17, 2025, to: hr@pickleballcanada.org.

Pickleball Canada is hiring an Administration Manager

Position Type:                       Full time – 37.5 hours per week

Application Deadline Date:  January 17, 2025

Location:                                Remote

Expected Start Date:            February 1, 2025

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 extensive knowledge of the sport of pickleball and pickleball in Canada, with good interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.

General Duties:

  • Serve as Staff Resource in support of Task Teams and Work Groups
  • Provide administrative support to the Board of Directors and Standing Committees
  • Provide administrative support to the National Pickleball Advisory Council
  • Human Resource tasks including:
    • Development of personnel procedures 
    • Drafting and delivery of Human Resource policies (as approved by the Board)
    • Management of volunteers and staff appointed to operational positions within the organization
  • Insurance Policy maintenance, renewals and supervision of day-to-day administration by Coordinators 
  • Administrative support to the Executive Director 

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, or any other relevant 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 January 17, 2025, to: hr@pickleballcanada.org.

Pickleball Canada Announces the Location and Dates of the 2025 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship

Ottawa, ON – December 13, 2024 – Pickleball Canada is thrilled to announce that Pickleball Manitoba has been selected to host the 2025 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship. The event will be held from August 19th to 24th, 2025 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Pickleball Manitoba has had great success with hosting pickleball specific evens in the past. Most recently they hosted the 2024 and 2023 Manitoba Provincial Championships, which brought together a number of players from all over the province of Manitoba.

“Today, we’re proud to announce that Winnipeg, Manitoba will be the home for upcoming the 2025 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship. This is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of community, spirit, and the love of the game. We look forward to welcoming athletes from around the country to Winnipeg,” said Val Vollmin Pickleball Canada President.

Over the course of these five days, it is expected over 700 players from all over Canada will be in attendance to compete. 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.

“We are incredibly excited and honored to host the 2025 Myoflex® Pickleball Canada National Championship,” said Ted Fardoe, President of Pickleball Manitoba. “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Manitoba’s thriving pickleball community and our commitment to growing the sport. We can’t wait to welcome our fellow athletes and fans from coast to coast to experience our hospitality and love for the game.

Winnipeg is located in the heart of Canada surrounded by history, and natural beauty. The city offers an immersive experience in both culture and history. Winnipeg is home to the famous Forks Market, where local flavours and crafts come alive, or the iconic Red River trails perfect for walking, biking, or just relaxing.

For more information, please contact:

info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada Celebrates 80,000 Members

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, please contact:

info@pickleballcanada.org  

National Pickleball Day 2024

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

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

A few highlights of the stories received include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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