Category: Uncategorized

The United States, Canada and Mexico align to promote the development and growth of pickleball across the Western Hemisphere

PHOENIX/OTTAWA/MEXICO CITY (April 20, 2023) — The National Governing Bodies for the sport of pickleball in the United States, Canada and Mexico today announced the creation and launch of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA).

The PFA is established to serve as the first continental pickleball federation in the Americas for the purpose of promoting the development and growth of pickleball throughout North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

Other recognized National Federations for pickleball in the Americas are encouraged to join the PFA as members of an organization and network that focuses on assistance and support for the international development of pickleball. 

“The formation of a continental pickleball federation is a much-needed development as we continue to support the recent explosion of pickleball, particularly in our region of the world,” said Robert Quicksilver, USA Pickleball Chairman of the Board of Directors. “With the launch of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas, we are thrilled to align with our colleagues across the Western Hemisphere and lend support to those beginning to build pickleball communities in their respective countries.”

“Along with my peers in the United States and Mexico, I am proud to help launch this federation and ensure that the sport of pickleball evolves as a safe, welcoming and respectful environment throughout the Americas,” said Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President. “We are committed to serving as stewards of this wonderful sport and guiding its development towards a culture that is wholly fair and equal.”

“I look forward to welcoming additional countries and national federations to this exciting alliance as we progress and take great strides forward,” said Javier Regalado, La Liga Profesional de Pickleball Mexico President. “We anticipate the coming years to witness the continued growth of pickleball around the world, and we hope to lead the way through mutual collaboration and visionary governance.”

Regalado will serve as the first Chair of the Board of Directors for PFA.

While representatives from USA Pickleball, Pickleball Canada and La Liga Profesional de Pickleball Mexico have led the establishment of the PFA and will comprise the initial leadership group, a nine-member Board of Directors will be formed this summer, comprised of leaders from other member countries.  

The PFA is established as a non-profit corporation that serves and exists to:

• Encourage the development of the sport of pickleball in the Americas ⎯ including providing access to advice/information/best practices in the areas of program development, administration, governance and communications.
• Coordinate efforts to position pickleball as a welcoming and accessible sport that fosters social connections and a sense of community.
• Organize continental championships, member national federations’ championships, and other major events.
• Support equity, diversity and inclusion within pickleball throughout the Americas.
• Help ensure that the culture of pickleball evolves as a safe sport, and a sport in which players, coaches, officials and volunteers experience a welcoming and respectful environment for all with a commitment to fair play and equal treatment.
• Encourage and support measures in competitions and with athletes that safeguard the integrity of pickleball and para pickleball and protect clean athletes through anti-doping efforts and the prevention of the manipulation of competitions.
• Encourage and support measures related to the medical care and health of the athletes who participate in PFA competitions.
• Serve as the official continental federation for pickleball in the Americas.

Member countries of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas will have direct access to a variety of resources, such as:

• Official Playing Rules
• Coaching and Officiating Materials
• Guidelines for Federation Websites, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation and Tournament Operations

To learn more about the Pickleball Federation of the Americas, or to apply for membership, please visit the PFA landing page at https://pickleballfederation-americas.org/

For more information on becoming a member country (applies to National Federation representatives only) of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas, please email: pickleballfederationamericas@gmail.com

USA Pickleball Media Contact:

Melissa Zhang, Director of Communications & Content: mzhang@usapickleball.org

Chuck Menke, Chief Marketing Officer: cmenke@usapickleball.org

Pickleball Canada Media Contact:

Tony Casey, Director of Global Affairs: tony.casey@pickleballcanada.org

La Liga Profesional de Pickleball Mexico Media Contact:

Natalia Bustamante, Marketing Director: natalia.bustamante@lppm.mx

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Pickleball Nova Scotia has been selected to host the 2023 Pickleball Canada Atlantic Regional Championship (Regionals). The event will be held from June 23^rd to 25^th, 2023 at the Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre in Bedford, NS. 

Over the course of three days, participants from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador will compete for the coveted title of the Atlantic Region’s best pickleball athletes of all ages. Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. As a Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournament, current international rules will be in effect.

“We are thrilled to have Pickleball Nova Scotia host this year’s Atlantic Regional Championship” said Deanna Christie, Vice President, Sport, Pickleball Canada. “The community’s passion for pickleball and their experience hosting events makes them the perfect location to showcase the talent of the region’s athletes. We thank them for taking on this opportunity and we look forward to a great event.”

“Pickleball Nova Scotia is proud to be hosting the 2023 Pickleball Canada Atlantic Regional Championship”, said Pat Morrison, President, Pickleball Nova Scotia. “This is going to be an opportunity for the top pickleball players from across all four Atlantic Provinces to go head-to-head over three full days.  Our own provincial championships are taking place in May and we have more than 400 players registered. We won’t be surprised to see over 500 players taking place in the Regionals!”

Registration will open on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Atlantic time.  Detailed information (including registration) on Atlantic Regionals can be found on Pickleball Brackets at:  https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=ae0f847b-18c5-4a45-aba1-e1ebcea24c2f.

Bedford is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This land is governed by the treaties of Peace and Friendship, first signed by the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey, Peskotomuhkatiyik, and the British Crown in 1726.

Bedford sits at the northwestern end of the Bedford Basin and offers brilliant views of the Halifax Harbour from DeWolf Park. The area is known for Sunnyside Mall, the charming Bedford Basin Farmers’ Market and Garden Centre, and historic Hemlock Ravine Park.

For more information, please contact:

Pickleball Nova Scotia: pickleballnovascotiaweb@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada:  info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that registration has opened for the 2023 Pickleball Canada Western Regional Championship (Regionals). Western Regionals will be held from July 6th to 9th, 2023 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. 

More than 500 players from across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Yukon are expected to compete for the coveted title of the Western Region’s best pickleball athletes in a broad range of age groupings. Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. 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.

Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President, said “I am very pleased to see the launch of registration for our Western Regional Championship. This promises to be an excellent summertime celebration of pickleball in Medicine Hat, Alberta.”

“The Medicine Hat Pickleball Club and our tremendous volunteers look forward to welcoming players from across Western Canada for Regional Championships,” said Brenda Lea MacPhail, Tournament Director. “Based on our past tournament experiences, we encourage interested players to register promptly to guarantee their chance of participating.”

Individuals who want to participate can register on Pickleball Brackets at:  https://pickleballbrackets.com/ptd.aspx?eid=fa11820a-6fde-41d6-b354-6788679fdcdf.  Registration will remain open until June 6, 2023, space permitting.

For more information, please contact:

Brenda Lea MacPhail, Tournament Director: tournamentdirectormh@gmail.com

Pickleball Canada:  info@pickleballcanada.org

After a comprehensive selection process, Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Sponsorship Canada (a division of REVXM-Immediate Productions) has been selected as its exclusive sponsorship agency of record.

During this time, Sponsorship Canada will lead Pickleball Canada’s sponsorship and commercial strategy with its team of industry leading experts in sponsorship, naming rights, events, and strategy.

“Global acclaim and excitement for the sport of Pickleball has grown rampant in recent years, with membership in Canada alone growing 40% since last December,” said Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President. “With high profile celebrities and brands investing and a surging membership base, there is no more lucrative sponsorship opportunity in Canadian amateur sport right now. Sponsorship Canada is the perfect partner to help us capitalize on this growth.”

Due to years of extensive success and a proven track record of excellence across properties such as in sports, Sponsorship Canada was selected to help Pickleball Canada further its commercial footprint.

“We are honoured and excited to represent Pickleball Canada”, said Bill Gaskey, Managing Partner of Sponsorship Canada. “Obviously, the growth story over the last few years has been nothing short of amazing. We also love the fact that the sport has a growing youth following and with an ever-growing digital audience, the sky’s the limit for pickleball’s commercial value and potential for brands, and we are pumped to help unlock some of that value for the property and their partners”.

Pickleball is played across the country, with the fastest growth in participation occurring in the 18-34 year old demographic.

Goals for Pickleball Canada, as the National Sport Organization for pickleball in Canada, are realistically ambitious, with plans to build youth and national team programs, and the ultimate goal of one day competing at the Olympic Games. 

For more information or to explore partnership opportunities with Pickleball Canada, please contact:

Dane Gomez
dane@sponsorshipcanada.com
C: 647-784-4112

ABOUT PICKLEBALL CANADA
Pickleball Canada is the national sport organization that governs, promotes, and leads the development of pickleball in Canada.  Its mission is to assist and promote the growth of pickleball as a sport for all levels and ages.  Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America, with over 1 million Canadians playing.  To learn more, go to https://pickleballcanada.org/

ABOUT SPONSORSHIP CANADA
Founded in 2006, as part of the XMC Group of Companies, Sponsorship Canada, a division of REVXM-Immediate Productions, is a leader in sponsorship asset evaluation, naming rights strategy as well as revenue generation for venues, events and properties.  We have represented cities, municipalities, not for profit charities, sports and entertainment properties and venues in naming rights and partnership deals totalling over $500M in revenue, over the last 15 years+. To learn more go to: https://www.sponsorshipcanada.com/

Pickleball Canada is pleased to announce that Kingston Pickleball Club has been selected to host the 2023 Pickleball Canada Central Regional Championship (Regionals). The event will be held from July 12th to 16th, 2023 in Kingston, ON. In 2022, Kingston Pickleball Club successfully hosted the National Championship.

Over the course of four days, more than 400 players from across Ontario and Quebec, are expected to compete for the coveted title of the Central Region’s best pickleball athletes of all ages. Competition categories include men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. As a Pickleball Canada sanctioned tournament, current international rules will be in effect.

Peter Milovanovic, Pickleball Canada President said, “I am very pleased to see Kingston Pickleball Club host our Central Regional Championship. The experience they have with hosting tournaments, and Pickleball Canada Championship events, ensures that the Central Regionals will be a great success. We look forward to all players having a great time.

“The Kingston Pickleball Club is excited to host this prestigious event and to welcome players from across Ontario and Quebec back to our wonderful city”, said Andrea Blackwell, President of the Kingston Pickleball Club.

Kingston is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and Huron-Wendat First Nations. In Anishinaabemowin, this space is called “Gaadanokwii,” which is interpreted to mean “a great meeting place”.

Nestled where the St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, and Lake Ontario meet, the city’s lakeshore location is home to Ontario’s oldest public market with dozens of museums and historic sites, and dozens more unique shopping and dining experiences, Kingston offers something old and something new around every corner.

For more information, please contact:
The Kingston Pickleball Club: information@kingstonpickleballclub.com
Pickleball Canada: info@pickleballcanada.org

Pickleball Canada is pleased to share the 2023 Pickleball Canada National Championship logo created by Pickleball Regina Inc.  Nationals will be held from August 23 – 27, 2023.

The official logo includes the Pickleball Canada logo and the Albert Street Memorial Bridge, an iconic symbol of Regina, built in the great depression to employ local workers. It symbolizes increasing connections, building bridges and stands as a world record holder as the longest span over the smallest body of water.

Pickleball Regina welcomes everyone to Regina for Nationals at the Viterra International Trade Centre and Queen City Pickleball Hub, with the expected number of athletes at 1,000, along with 300 volunteers.  For more information about Nationals, please go to Pickleball Brackets.

For more information, please contact:

Carla Anderson, Executive Director
Pickleball Canada Organization
carla.anderson@pickleballcanada.org