A quest to develop the next generation of pickleball players

Wayne Kerr

Most professional pickleball players have a background in tennis or another racquet sport. Not so  with Mike ‘Botts’ Botterill from the Okanagan region of Canada. Growing up, Botts played primarily hockey and football, ultimately spending seven seasons playing in the CFL. The former professional linebacker is proof that a good athlete can master just about any sport he or she is dedicated to. This athlete has won medals at almost every pickleball tournament he has entered in, including two podium finishes at the US Nationals, held in Indian Wells, California.

I first met Botts when he and his partner Rebecca ‘Beck’ Hackman gave a clinic to a group of volunteer instructors (which I attended) at the West Kelowna Pickleball Club. The passion and excitement this pair bring to the sport was immediately evident to me. True ambassadors of pickleball, their goal is to help grow the sport at every level.  Providing lessons and clinics for each level of player, hosting high level matches and competitive events throughout the region, not to mention teaching other instructors, Botts and Beck give back to the sport they love in a big way.


Perhaps their greatest passion, however, is growing youth participation in the sport. They are having great success  reaching this younger demographic. Along with tailoring programs for younger players of al ages, they have teamed up with Manta World Sport and Pickleball International to design and distribute the 'BottMan' paddles for children. Made in Canada, these exciting paddles are lighter with smaller grips, perfect for small hands and developing muscles.

“We know it can be a multigenerational game,” Botts commented recently. “When I was young my Gram taught me cribbage, now other grandmothers are teaching their grandchildren pickleball". I agreed, there are few things more gratifying than witnessing multiple generations having loads of fun together on a pickleball court.

Botts and Beck are growing a successful pickleball business here in Canada. The couple credit the years of volunteering at the West Kelowna and Kelowna Pickleball Clubs as well as their time spent working with the Vernon Pickleball Association and Predator Ridge for their many accomplishments. We all benefit from their love of our favorite sport.