OTTAWA, Ontario (November 3, 2023) – Pickleball Canada, the national governing body for pickleball in Canada, has joined with other national federations to introduce and activate the Global Pickleball Federation.
With its responsibility, authority and accountability as the international federation for pickleball, GPF promotes, leads and supports the growth and development of pickleball as a sport for all, for life. Priorities include gaining recognition by the International Olympic Committee as the unifying global governing body for the sport of pickleball and securing inclusion of pickleball in the Olympics, Paralympics and other major, multi-sport international competitions.
The GPF will ensure its members have access to best practices and other practical resources that enable growth and development within their regions and communities. For member countries, the GPF will arrange access to equipment, official rules, educational and instructional programs, an active ambassador network, international tournaments, equipment standards and other valuable tools.
“An urgent need existed for a dynamic, effective and respected international governing body that is led by member countries in alignment with their continental federations,” says Javier Regalado, President of the Pickleball Federation of the Americas and GPF Board Member. “The countries committed to the GPF represent approximately 95% of pickleball members in the world.”
“Today’s launch of the Global Pickleball Federation is a huge step forward for pickleball,” says Val Vollmin, President of Pickleball Canada. “Together with our colleagues in countries around the globe, we will create a big, welcoming tent under which we can truly unify and grow pickleball. We now have the opportunity to work in collaboration to promote and advance pickleball as a marvelous, inclusive sport.”
The Asian Pickleball Association, Confederation of African Pickleball, Oceania Pickleball Federation and the Pickleball Federation of the Americas are aligned exclusively with the GPF. The national governing bodies across these four continents include American Samoa, Australia, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, United States and Venezuela.
The path for GPF membership is application through the respective continental federation to meet their membership requirements. Upon completion, member applications will be evaluated by both a national federation’s continental federation and the Global Pickleball Federation. An online application for Global Pickleball Federation membership is available at www.globalpickleballfederation.org.
More information about the GPF can be found on its website here.
About the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF)
The GPF is non-profit corporation established in 2023 and operates in accordance with GPF bylaws. The GPF is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado – the home to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The GPF is guided by a Board of Directors, including a Chair of the Board and elected leaders of each participating continental federation.
For more information, please visit www.globalpickleballfederation.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.
The mission of Pickleball Canada 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. 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 please contact info@pickleballcanada.org or visit pickleballcanada.org/
GPF Media Contact:
Javier Regalado, Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA) President and GPF Board Member
Pickleball Canada Media Contact:
Dave Harris