Gratitude in the Time of a Pandemic

I am grateful that we have heard of very few cases of pickleball players becoming ill as a result of COVID-19.  As a potentially vulnerable population perhaps our more active lifestyle helps protect us and perhaps, we have taken our individual responsibility to protect ourselves and others seriously.

I am grateful that Pickleball Canada members have stuck with us over this trying time.  With a three to four month shutdown PCO appreciates that so many members continued to renew their membership.  Pickleball Canada is almost entirely dependent on our membership revenue for its operation.  When $2 of the $5 fee goes for insurance it does not leave a lot on which to operate. It appears as if we have lost 10-15% of our members over the COVID-19 shutdown.  Hopefully, with courts opening up, many will return.  I want to thank our Social Media volunteer, Rhonda Stoner, for her enthusiastic and creative approach to engaging and recognizing many of you over the past half year.

TAKING THE NEXT BIG STEP

Our game of pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.   It is estimated that the game has over 3,000,000 players and has been growing by more than 10 percent each year over the past decade.  With that said, it is up to the sport and the governing association to go through the process of obtaining the coveted status of a National Sport Organization (NSO). 

Many organizations make up Canada’s sport system, each playing their own important role. Some provide Canadians with access to sport, help athletes to both participate and succeed in competitions. Other organizations are responsible for hosting sporting events. As the single largest investor in amateur sport in Canada, the Federal Government plays a vital role.  Through Sport Canada, it develops programs and policies to help the sport system meet the needs of Canadians. 

At its June 2020 Annual General Meeting, Pickleball Canada affirmed a direction for the coming months and longer term.  Building on a strong foundation, the Board of Directors is advancing the development of our sport in several key areas.

Pickleball Canada is guided by its Purpose “to develop and sustain a dynamic, integrated Canadian system that promotes participation, competition and excellence in pickleball”.  Pickleball Canada works with its partners to develop pickleball as a sport that is welcoming, inclusive and safe; a sport that embraces and supports players of all ages, abilities and interests.

On July 1st, Canada Day, Pickleball Canada was pleased to have welcomed Newfoundland & Labrador as our 10th Affiliation!   Did you know that, coincidentally, Newfoundland was also our 10th Province to have joined the Confederation in 1949.  In 2001 it was officially renamed to Newfoundland and Labrador.

President, Leonard Lye advises that the potential for growth is great, with lots of publicity promoting the sport being provided by CBC TV, VOCM radio and CBC News.  Currently there are active groups playing in Stephenville, Grandfalls-Windsor, Marystown, Clarenville and St. John’s.  

Taking advantage of Covid-times, they have seized the opportunity to get themselves organized.  They will be having their first AGM shortly. 

 Current board members are:

President	Leonard Lye
Vice-President	Barrie Barrell
Treasurer	Vincent Hoang
Secretary	Liam Mcerlean
Officiating Lead	Donald MacDonell

Steve Deakin, a multi-medal winning professional player and PCO’s 2020 Ambassador,  has successfully competed with and against the best players in the sport, and is ranked as Canada’s top male pickleball player. In this first installment of ‘Speakin’ with Deakin’, we asked him a few questions to get to know him better. In future editions, Steve will answer your questions. 

Tell us a little about yourself?

I'm an only child and grew up in Port Moody, BC. I spent my junior years playing and competing in tennis and managed to win eleven national titles before going on the satellite tour. When I suffered an elbow injury, I decided to give it up and go to work for my grandfather’s mining supply business in Vancouver. I didn't realize how much I would miss competition until I picked up a racquet again in 2010. I played hard and made the Young Senior Canadian Team and travelled to Antalya, Turkey and then Umag, Croatia to play in the World Championships. I loved the sport all over again but mostly the friendships and camaraderie that come with competing together with like-minded athletes. 

PICKLEBALL IS EVOLVING

As stronger and faster athletes enter the sport of pickleball, the game is evolving. Great footwork is becoming more and more important. The traditional idea of ​​planting yourself at the Non-Volley-Zone (NVZ) line is being challenged at the upper levels of the game. In fact, some of today's top players have stepped back a few feet (30 -120 cm) off the NVZ line much of the time. Of course, when their opponents are back or have popped up a ball, these innovators are eagerly up at the NVZ line ready to hit a put-away shot.  However, when all four are at the net, many modern players take a step back, giving themselves extra time to defend or counter an attacked ball.

Another advantage of being back a few feet is that this allows a player to hit the ball from below the top of the net and have a better chance of it rising above the tape.  Using topspin, these balls can be hit with considerable force, clear the net, and stay in-bounds.  Teenager, Anna Leigh Waters of the United States and Catherine Parenteau of Canada are two of the best players in the world at employing this technique.

COACHES CORNER

"Trying to correct errors in the execution of a skill is impossible during a game.  It requires repetitive practice of the skill in a controlled situation." P. 41.Pickleball Fundamentals: (2015).  USA Pickleball Association and Mary Littlewood.  Published by Human Kinetics.

Sign up to be part of World Pickleball Day!

World Pickleball Day is going to be a fantastic opportunity to share how wonderful the game is for all ages.  Every pickleball association, club or player can get involved.  The World Pickleball Federation (“WPF”) have developed a Tool-Box to help countries, clubs or players make the most of the opportunity to grow pickleball.

We encourage you to go to and access their free on-line Tool-Box!  

www.worldpickleballfederation.org

Tool-Box Contents:

• World Pickleball Day logo
• Draft Press Release for local country use
• Ideas for World Pickleball Day
• e-book ‘Play Pickleball – A Beginners Guide’ by Tony Roig with access to training videos
• Communication plan ideas
• T-shirt design that can be printed locally
• Poster advert
• Banner design (vertical & horizontal)
• Covid-19 contingency plans