Pickleball BC Association’s (“PBCA”) Activating Youth Pickleball in BC (“AYPBC”) Phase 2 Update

Friday, April 17th 2026, Vancouver, BC—AYPBC Phase 2 has picked up pace with the delivery of Franklin Sports pickleball equipment to our Regions for our K-7 Elementary school participants across BC. Five of our 7 Regions took advantage of Franklin’s offer to help sponsor balls, nets and paddles for our youth which is much appreciated, along with the financial support provided through their national relationship with Pickleball Canada. A huge “thank you” again to both organizations on behalf of our kids!

Above picture courtesy AYPBC Phase 2 Region 3: Franklin delivers equipment to Victoria West Elementary School. This equipment is also partially funded by the Victoria Fire Fighters but they were unable to attend. Photo: Connie McCann, Co-Project Leader AYPVRPA (leftmost); Grade 4 teacher, Tarrah Macdonald (2nd from left on floor); Grade 2 teacher (and a pickleball player) Alex Lyner (rightmost); and happy Grade 4 students.

AYPBC Phase 2 Participating Regions

A reminder that this year we expanded our AYPBC program from 3 Regions to 7 Regions across BC, representing a more diverse group of Elementary schools and kids. Each PBCA Region is sponsored and the program is managed through one of our Affiliated Clubs as follows:

Region 1 : Vancouver - Vancouver Pickleball Club
Region 2 : North Shore - North Shore Pickleball Club
Region 3 : Vancouver Island - Victoria Regional Pickleball Club
Region 4 : Sunshine Coast - Sunshine Coast Pickleball Club
Region 5 : Northern BC - Quesnel PC
Region 6 : South Okanagan - South Okanagan Youth Pickleball Association
Region 7 : Thompson/Okanagan North - Vernon PC

The Phase 2 initiative would not be possible without the help of those Clubs and their dedicated volunteers along with the 2nd Provincial Sport Development Grant received from viaSport BC, donations from PBCA and PCO, Franklin Sports, and the numerous regional school personnel who tirelessly worked around the clock to make this happen. Also, kudos to both Sharon Hoy for organizing the various NCCP training sessions that are in progress as we speak, and to Tracy Bennet Head of Pickleball Coach Education for managing them.

Also, we were recently pleased to release the 2026 Leaders Guide for Activating Youth Pickleball in BC — “Inspiring Leadership and Introducing Pickleball in Elementary Schools in BC©”. This comprehensive Guide was developed with the help of our Phase 1 experiences, Regional program participants’ input, and the dedication of tireless volunteers such as Sharon Hoy, PBCA’s Heather Hood, Tony Casey and Greg Feehan. Thank you all!

David Snell, PBCA President explains: “This expansion of AYPBC Phase 2, witnessed by the above Phase 2 accomplishments, provides a strong base of support for grassroots growth in pickleball, embedding the sport early in elementary education and building long-term player participation across British Columbia. With coordinated support from our regional Clubs, trained coaches, and partners like Pickleball Canada and viaSport BC, this initiative will strengthen community engagement, develop future talent, and establish a sustainable framework for the sport’s continued growth. Also, enriching the students’ health, well-being, and social disposition.”

Please refer to the AYPBC Phase 2 representative updates from the various Regions posted on our AYPBC News pages here.

For more information, contact:
David Snell, PBCA President
[email protected]

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AYPBC Phase 2 Region Updates Here