P​ickleball BC Association (“PBC”) announced in the recent November Kitchen Sink Newsletter that the Vernon Pickleball Association (VPA) will be hosting the 2025 Pickleball BC Provincial Championships July 24th to 27th 2025 in Vernon and Coldstream.
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Tournament Chair Richard Chambers said, "The Vernon Pickleball Association is excited to host the 2025 B.C. Pickleball Championships next July. Co-Tournament Director, Julie Varrie, has her experienced team in place and they and our volunteer cadre look forward to welcoming back players from around B.C. We appreciate the confidence that Pickleball BC has in awarding the championship to the VPA. We will strive to provide a quality, well run tournament.”

We know that they will! Vernon is blessed with dedicated volunteers and businesses and have built an excellent indoor (all weather) facility. Much to the credit of the Association and its members they can offer an excellent site to host events of this magnitude. To name just a few accolades: VPA was named by Pickleball Canada (“PCO”) as the “Best Pickleball Club in Canada”; they hosted the 2024 Western Regional Championships last summer and the 2022 BC Championships. All this to say, they really know how to run a great tournament and host BC enthusiastic pickleball players visiting Vernon!

This tournament is a chance for players in BC to showcase their skills at all levels and for the hosting club and its community to showcase Vernon hospitality to visiting “Pickleball Enthusiasts”.

As described in our Newsletter which can be found here, this announcement is a preliminary a “hold the date, find your partner” notice. More details will be made public as they become finalized but a couple salient items:

• Competitions will be held over 4 days (same as the Regionals in 2024)
• A third venue will added for mixed doubles day in Coldstream, about 10 km away
• U19 Singles events (both male and female), open, no level breakdowns are planned
• Protective eyewear will be mandatory for all players’ on court activity.

Walter Knecht PBC Director and Chair of our Tournament Committee said “We are expecting 600+ of the best in BC players, 40 officials, 150 volunteers and hundreds of spectators. See you there and stand by for information updates!”

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Over 30 Countries Including Canada Compete in Pickleball World Cup in Peru - The Kitchen Post  (with PBC editor comments) :

Hercilio and Miranda Cabieses are more than just a pair of sibling pickleball players. Their journey began in 2021 when they represented Peru for the first time at the US OPEN, making history as they carried the Peruvian flag during the opening ceremony. But their mission extended far beyond that. They wanted to bring the joys of pickleball to their home country and the rest of the world.

Hercilio said "Obtaining financial resources to carry out the activities that allow to spread the accessibility of the sport in the different regions has also been a challenge." That's where the pair's Cabieses Foundation comes into play. Through the organization, they’ve donated equipment, organized youth programs, and empowered para-athletes in pickleball. "We've spread the sport of Pickleball in the most vulnerable places and contribute to improving the quality of life for more than 30,000 children," Hercilio says of the foundation's accomplishments.
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Their crowning achievement was the Pickleball World Cup, which took place October 22-28, 2024, in Lima, Peru. This event had over 30 countries competing on over 16 courts, with more than 500 athletes striving to claim the title of World Pickleball Champion. Canada was a participant.

At Pickleball BC ("PBC") we applaud the work of the Cableses siblings to bring together different countries to celebrate pickleball in their World Cup event and other initiatives. "I visualize this as the greatest tournament in the world next to the Olympic Games " Hercilio says. We believe that with our goal to one day to have pickleball in the Olympics, they are on the right track!

Not to mention the work they have done to teach pickleball to 30,000 youth - we are not close to that yet but with the help of our viaSport "Activating BC Youth Pickleball K-7 in Under-Resourced Schools" grant and the collaboration with PBC Clubs in Victoria, Vernon and Vancouver, in 2025 we will have a set of guidelines and tools that any interested club in BC can adopt to teach pickleball to kids in Elementary schools. See our recent story about the grant and our project here. ​

New Pickleball Courts Official Opening at Nanaimo's Beban Park
Grand opening of new courts in Nanaimo on October 31st.

Although the weather objected to the ceremony, the new Beban Park Pickleball Courts were officially opened on Halloween Day, on Thursday.  On hand to conduct the Ceremony were Richard Harding, the General Manager Community Services & Deputy CAO of the City of Nanaimo and Mayor Krog, along with two city Councilors who cut the ribbon to open the new courts for play. On hand and representing Pickleball BC were board members, Dave Eaton and John Davis.

Up to 80 players were on hand, and two demonstration games were held despite the cold and wetness of the day.

The courts are fully fenced, the city noted, and the courts feature an “anti-slip coating” and are equipped with event power and a water fountain. In addition, the Nanaimo Pickleball Club provided some funding, which will help pay for bleachers on both sides of the courts.
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Meanwhile, the former pickleball courts at Beaufort Park are expected to be converted to accommodate various other forms of recreation, including basketball and street hockey, according to the press release.

The Beban Park project carried a price tag of $518,000 partially paid for with B.C. government’s community works fund and Canadian government’s community-building fund money.
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With swimming, skating, BMX, mountain biking, tennis and golf among recreation opportunities at Beban Park, pickleball is the perfect complement, said Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog in the press release.

Left to Right (top to bottom on Smart Phone):
1. "Sweet Pickle" Richard Harding
​2. Official Ribbon current - Mayor Krog and Councilors
3. Demonstration Game
4. Mayor Krog with some Attendees
​(5&6) The facilities.

Expansion in Penticton.
 
Penticton Pickleball Club Announces New Courts at Robinson Park and Future
Development at Skaha Lake Park
 
Penticton, BC, [October 15, 2024] – The Penticton Pickleball Club (PPC), a non-profit
organization, is excited to announce the addition of two new pickleball courts at
Robinson Park, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2025. This expansion will
enhance recreational opportunities in the community and accommodate the growing
interest in pickleball.
 
Pickleball, a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong,
has quickly become the fastest growing sport in North America. Played on a smaller
court with a net like tennis, players use paddles to hit a lightweight plastic ball. The
game is easy to learn, making it accessible for all ages and skill levels. Its combination
of fast-paced action and strategic gameplay encourages both friendly competition and
social interaction, making it an ideal sport for community engagement.
 
The new courts at Robinson Park were partially funded by PPC and reflect its
commitment to serving 465 members while increasing access for the public. The club’s
leadership, including Past President Dave Burgoyne, Treasurer Don Milne, and
President Ronna Pearson, worked closely with the City of Penticton to make this project
a reality.
 
In addition, the City of Penticton recently approved PPC’s Connected Community
Capital Grant program application to construct four more pickleball courts at Skaha
Lake Park, scheduled for completion in late 2025. Although these courts will be
exclusively for public use the PPC has contributed an additional $100,000 toward this
initiative, further cementing its dedication to expanding pickleball facilities in the region.
 
For More Information Contact:

​Ronna Pearson
President
Penticton Pickleball Club
[email protected]
www.pentictonpickleball.ca

Passing of the Flag Ceremony
 
Debbie Cannon officially passed the flag to Diana Johnstone on Friday, September 13, 2024 during the Participant Dance on Alexander Street in Salmon Arm. A bittersweet moment marking the end of over 18 months of planning and executing for the Salmon Arm 2024 55+ BC Games Board. Nanaimo now takes center stage as the Games return to Vancouver Island.

“On behalf of the Nanaimo 2025 55+ BC Games Board of Directors , I would like to thank the BCSGS for granting our city's bid to host the Games in Nanaimo in 2025.  
 
When asked to assume the role of President, I was elated and very honoured to accept as I had the privilege of serving in this capacity in 2007.  My past career as Recreation Administrator and Event planner holds many happy memories, however, to volunteer alongside other members of the communities I've lived in is by far the most rewarding.
 
Many members of our Board attended the Salmon Arm 2024 55+ BC Games and were in awe at how well they were managed.  To witness participants make happy memories was an honour.
Nanaimo has many fantastic sport venues, restaurants, hotels and parks; and our dedicated Board of Directors, their Chairs, and other community volunteers are happily planning, looking forward to hosting for all to enjoy.”
 
Diana Johnstone
President, Nanaimo 2025 55+ BC Games

Canada vs. USA – Woman’s Tournament
 
The inaugural Canada/USA Women’s Pro Pickleball Challenge, held from September 20-22 in Alberta, Canada, was a groundbreaking event designed by a group of passionate women, led by Tracy Bennet, who share a deep commitment to growing the sport of pickleball and supporting high-performance women athletes.  This first-of-its-kind competition showcased top talent from both Canada and the United States in an exciting cross-border showdown.

The event was deeply rooted in the values of mentorship, empowerment, excellence, performance, and contribution.  Its unique format ensured that all players—whether Pro, Senior Pro, or amateur—spent a significant amount of time on the court in an environment far beyond what they would typically experience in regular tournament formats.  Amateur players with a 4.25+ rating and high reliability were given the rare opportunity to compete against and partner with female Pros and Senior Pros from both countries.

 Moreover, the female Pro and Senior Pro players contributed to the development of the amateur players and event volunteers by running successful drill sessions.  These sessions elevated the skills of all participants, embodying the event's core values.  More than just a competition, the Canada/USA Women’s Pro Pickleball Challenge provided an inspiring platform to empower women athletes, grow the sport, and foster meaningful mentorship, leaving a lasting legacy in the pickleball community.   

For more see: Facebook pages

Kelly Joiner

New Ambleside Pickleball Courts – A collaboration between the North Shore Pickleball Club ("NSPC") and the Parks Staff of West Vancouver
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In 2021 West Vancouver earned the title of 'B.C.'s Most Active Community'.   Today West Vancouver Council, Parks Staff and local players are to be congratulated on the opening of the first four purpose-built, regulation-sized pickleball courts with separating fences on the North Shore and possibly north of the Frazer!

West Vancouver led the North Shore in dedicated, permanent outdoor courts when three were opened at 29th St in October 2018 thanks to the long-time advocacy of Ed and Lilly Orlovsky.  After years of active use, much was learned about the impact of the pickleball courts on neighbourhoods, and in 2021 the difficult decision was made to close the courts.  Subsequently, four excellent courts were created at Normanby Park, a remote park not accessible to anyone who doesn’t have a car or has personal mobility issues. 

A year ago, West Vancouver Council struck a Pickleball Roundtable Advisory Committee to expedite construction of new courts within our community. The committee consisted of players, community members interested in sport, and parks and community center staff. This proved to be a very good formula as Ambleside was quickly identified as the ideal location and staff cleared the hurdles to have the site assigned to pickleball.  Council approved four courts and development started this spring. 

The four new courts, located with a view of the beach in West Vancouver’s Ambleside Park, are exactly what was needed – centrally located, fully serviced, accessible by public transit and separated from residences.
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Parks Staff are to be commended for referring the court design once again to a players’ committee.  Longtime West Vancouver residents, pickleball advocates and NSPC members Bruce Foskett and Maureen Jarman were part of that design team.   As a wonderful coincidence (or not!), Court Opening Day is also Maureen and Bruce’s birthday!  While Lily and Ed no longer play, we know that the pickleball elixir will keep these seniors and many others enjoying the courts for many years to come!
 
Pickleball demand continues to grow, and players are getting younger.  Almost 4000 local students and their teachers have been visited by NSPC volunteers who provide free introductions to pickleball.  The Advisory Committee is now focusing on further pickleball expansion opportunities in the District of West Vancouver with its community partners, the North Shore Pickleball Club and West Van Players.  

Pickleball Federation of Americas Announces Pickleball BC Association (“PBCA”) Award of Excellence
 
Toronto, Canada, September 27, 2024 – Pickleball Federation of Americas announces 2024 Excellence Awards:

Pickleball Americas (PFA) announced the winners of the 2024 PFA Award of Excellence, celebrating outstanding achievements in the pickleball community. This year’s honorees represent remarkable contributions across grassroots advocacy, national leadership, and sports technology, furthering the growth and impact of pickleball around the globe.

Gary Schwartz, CEO and Chair of Pickleball Americas, stated, “The PFA Award of Excellence is our way of honoring the innovators and leaders who are driving pickleball forward. These organizations have set the standard for excellence in our sport, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their achievements.”

PBCA 2024 PFA’s Excellence Award Recipients:

Pickleball BC Association & Pickleball Schools were awarded the Grassroots Advocacy Award. Pickleball BC Association and its pioneering Pickleball Schools “Activating Youth Pickleball K-7” initiative assisted by a grant from viaSport, have been instrumental in expanding access to pickleball in communities across British Columbia. By empowering schools, teachers, and students with resources and training, they have created a strong foundation for the next generation of players. “Pickleball BC is a shining example of how grassroots initiatives can transform a local community and provide a platform for schools globally,” said Schwartz. “Their commitment to education and advocacy is truly inspiring.”

The 2024 PFA Award of Excellence highlights organizations that embody the spirit of innovation, leadership, and advocacy, essential to the continued growth of pickleball worldwide. Pickleball Americas (PFA) remains committed to supporting and recognizing those who contribute to the advancement of this dynamic and rapidly growing sport.

David Snell, President PBCA stated “As announced previously, PBCA was awarded a $30,000 grant from viaSport BC to carry on the tremendous EVES Pickleball Schools initiative started in 2022 by the Vancouver Pickleball Club, and expand this program throughout BC. We chose 3 sites for Phase 1 of this expansion: Vancouver Area sponsored by Vancouver Pickleball Club, Vancouver Island sponsored by Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, and Thompson Okanagan sponsored by the Vernon Pickleball Club.  PBCA invested in this program along with our sponsors. I can’t tell you how excited I and the team are about this BC youth program and the goal is to share our project's further-developed curriculum and tool set with all our clubs in BC in 2025.” 
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For more information about Pickleball America and the PFA Award of Excellence, visit www.pickleballamericas.org

The PFA.
The PFA (Pickleball Federation of the Americas) was established to represent the Americas.
It has two main foci:

1. grassroots adoption of the sport, and
2. fostering tournament play across the member countries.
   
   

Here is Their mission statement:
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The Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA) is the standard bearer of Pickleball across the Americas. Our mission is to foster grassroots adoption of the sport in schools and communities from Toronto to Santiago. Pickleball Americas works closely with the Global Pickleball Federation to standardize training and the rules of the sport as well as with Pickleball Schools to drive inclusion, service special needs and foster intergenerational play.
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The PFA currently has 18 member countries including Canada, the US and ​Mexico.

A well-known venue in the Foothills has gone through a major rebrand.

Lynwood Ranch in Aldersyde, known as an event space and caterer for decades, is now a dedicated pickleball facility.

Those familiar with the space may see the change as an odd choice, but co-owner Gus LeDuc says it came about in a pretty organic way.

“When COVID hit, we were shut down cold, as many businesses were. We didn’t know how to restart. I played pickleball, Wendy, my wife, played pickleball, our kids did, and we started playing inside the facility because it was dormant. Then it evolved into our brothers and sisters and their kids coming over, and the neighbors.”

Seeing some potential, having seen more and more private facilities opening in the states, and knowing the sport’s popularity in the Foothills, LeDuc and his family decided to go through with the renovations to convert the building into a pickleball facility back in November.
Though many sports facilities support a wide array of netball sports including pickleball, according to LeDuc, Lynnwood is the second dedicated pickleball facility, the other being in Edmonton.
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Lynnwood has four courts and a seating/spectating area, which is planned to function as a café later down the line. They plan to continue operating their BBQ food truck as well.

​viaSport/PBCA Announcement September 15th 2024: viaSport awards PBCA a $30,000 Grant “Activating Youth Pickleball K-7 in Under Resourced Schools”:
 
Background:

In June 2024 viaSport BC announced a grant proposal of up to $30,000 per BC Provincial Sport Organization under a BC Sport Participation Program called the “Provincial Sport Development Fund”. The BCSPP supports programs that attract children, youth, Indigenous and under-represented populations to lead active and healthy lifestyles through involvement in sport while also helping to support communities delivering physical activity programming throughout the province. Programs taking place between July 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 were eligible to apply. PBCA felt that we qualified, and we applied on June 30th 2024.

Grant Award: We are happy to announce that our bid was successful and we are the recipients of a viaSport $30,000 Grant. 

As part of our proposal to ViaSport, we identified 3 regions in the province that would help lead the charge with us. The Okanagan, Vancouver and Lower Vancouver Island

Vancouver Pickleball Association ("VPA"), Janet Martini President, was the first to step up as Region 1 Vancouver and contribute not only to overall project coordination and manpower (given their EVES experience and knowledge), but also to invest in the project. Next was Region 2 Vancouver Island with Victoria Regional Pickleball Association Connie McCann President who stepped up with both project manpower but also an investment. Then on behalf of Thompson Okanagan Region 3, Vernon Pickleball Club Youth Committee under Rick Klein committed. Our 3 Regions and club representation was formed!

The budget that we proposed included: investments from PBCA and our partners; equipment (paddles, nets and balls) for 3 Regions; programming oversight and Regional coordination; monthly “Learn and Play” sessions;  NCCP training for coaches; school planning guide, tool sets and curriculum documentation.

The objective is to have a youth programs K-7 resource package including a curriculum and tool set posted on our PBCA website for all clubs to utilize in mid 2025.
 
So now that we have been awarded the funds, what is the plan for phase two of this project? With one project meeting under our belt, having lined up some sponsors and project principals, here is the summary of some of our major goals:

• Now that schools are back in session, help kick off the project in each of the 3 Regions, supported by PBCA, the EVES experts and our Regional Affiliated Clubs mentioned above
• In order to “Activate Youth Pickleball K-7” (pickleball for schools, in schools, by schools) provide equipment, coaches, curriculum for youth pickleball programming K-7, and pickleball club support in our 3 Regions
• Ensure pickleball thrives and is sustainable - embedded within schools’ curriculum, woven into the fabric of a school-as-a-community, powered by schools with community sport support
• Effect school educators’ collaboration with sport leaders in their communities
• Build a prototype for developing physical literacy and nurturing social interaction for elementary school students of all abilities and ages
• Cornerstone for advancing pickleball and creating opportunities for the greatest number of children and young people
• Continue the support of a sport that is wonderfully and incomparably ... fun!

 
We welcome any questions or comments to [email protected] on this significant new PBCA initiative made possible by viaSport British Columbia!
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Above - the partners currently in Phase 1 of our BC Youth K-7 Project: Vancouver Pickleball Association, Vernon Pickleball Club, Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, Pickleball BC Association.

ABOUT VIASPORT:
Via Sport is an organization that benefits children without access to adequate sports infrastructure, women without access to sport opportunities, and people with physical disabilities through the sports programs and training we provide. Unlike the many other international development and sustainable tourism programs, Via Sport has a proven track record through its high quality research and evaluation of sport programs.
OUR VISION: Our vision is to create social impact by creating a healthy, happy  and inclusive society.
OUR MISSION: Via Sport's mission is to create impact through sport by providing access to sports infrastructure to schools and communities.  We encourage women's equality, disability inclusion, and cultural exchange.