Pickleball BC Constitutes New FY 2024 Board and Elects a President

Special Board Meeting Tuesday February 17th Constitutes New Board and Elects a President for FY 2024:

Pickleball BC (PBC) convened a special Board meeting (minutes will be posted soon) to constitute its FY 2024 Board and elect a President given Walter Knecht, PBC founder and past President, stepped aside as President at the recent AGM (read Walter's Tribute here).

The FY 2024 PBC President and 11 member Board as elected (or continuing their term of office) with currently assigned remits are as follows:

• President is David Snell, also continuing with the MARCOM portfolio
• Nominated and elected to the Board and now the Vice President is Tom Burnell, who is also President of the Surrey Pickleball Club
• Secretary is Dave Eaton past President of the Nanaimo Pickleball Club
• Susan Inkman continues as Treasurer 
• Rod Williams continues as Registrar 
• Sharon MacDonald continues as Youth and Community Grants Coordinator, Assistant Referee Trainer with Rick Folk and is President of the Quesnel Pickleball Club
• Rick Folk continues as Head Referee and was former President of the Comox Valley Pickleball Association
• Facilities and Government Relationships: Jim Burke and Tom Burnell
• Tournament Coordination: Walter Knecht, along with the new President's hand-over responsibilities 
• Youth and Accessibility/Inclusion Programs: Tom Burnell
• Provincial Coaching Programs: TBA
• Business Development and Sponsors: Philip Sheps

David Snell said "filling Walter's big shoes (literally) is a challenge but one that I need not attempt alone - we have a full complement of 11 Directors on the PBC Board now with their remits assigned. We are eagerly ready and willing to provide the services that our BC 100+ Clubs and a forecasted 20,000 members this year have come to expect, and are planning new strategic and tactical plans to expand our services in BC."

With pickleball burgeoning in BC, Canada and elsewhere, amongst other issues PBC would like to prioritize and address in FY 2024 include but are not limited to: challenges in getting new courts to meet the increased demand experienced by our Clubs and communities; Government and sport association partnerships to benefit our members; purpose built programs to support our BC Clubs and members; designing and supporting inclusive intake programs like youth and players with disabilities programming; supporting BC's coaching, refereeing and information needs; "give-back" events and community and youth grants; and helping to expand pickleball's reach to all age groups. 

Meanwhile, let's get out there and participate!!

PS: Sign up for your local PADS event April 20th :) 

From left (top to bottom on mobile): David Snell PBC President; PADS companions who may make guest appearances at your local PADS Event;
​and, Walter Knecht and his doubles partner (at least for the picture) Ben Johns, world's number one mens player.