President’s Kitchen Sink Newsletter Report April 2025 Edition
Picture courtesy of Onix Pickleball: Whether you’re spending the day on or off the court, we hope you have an “eggcellent” weekend and Happy Easter! #ONIX #Pickleball #HappyEaster #PickleballBC
The Kitchen Sink April Edition, Pickleball BC (“PBC”) President’s Introduction
Welcome to the April Easter edition of our Kitchen Sink Newsletter.
We wish to wish everyone a happy and safe upcoming Easter long weekend with your family, friends and pickleball partners. Easter traditions in BC and Canada are similar to those in other Western countries, including attending religious services, decorating eggs, and kids participating in Easter egg hunts. Many in BC also enjoy family gatherings, eating special foods (barbecue anyone?), and engaging in outdoor activities like pickleball. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring Equinox, a date that varies annually, but in 2025 it’s this coming weekend here in BC. The holiday is also seen as a celebration of new life—ergo, eggs painted or not!
As we enter the Spring/Summer season for outdoor play, we have lots of tournament and related updates for our members this month, which we will cover below, and more news from our Affiliated and Associated clubs.
In this April 2025 issue we wanted to highlight: update regarding our unexpected BC player interest to establish a BC Provincial Team, which as its first event, will compete against other Provinces’ teams at the Nationals; a PBC and Pickleball Canada (“PCO”) tournament update; the announcement of the PCO Ambassador Program and introducing our two BC Ambassadors; a “From Our Clubs” report about the Golden Ears Pickleball Club: Building Community Through Sport; and, other updates regarding News, Policy reports and our new PBC 2025 initiatives in our Director’s Kitchen Corners section here.
Enjoy all the new news and updates in our April Kitchen Sink Newsletter and see you on the courts—with your eyewear protection!
David Snell
President Pickleball BC
President@PickleballBC.ca
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News From Our Clubs
Golden Ears Pickleball Club: Building Community Through Sport
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President’s Report
As outlined above, in this Kitchen Sink Edition we wanted to first of all remind everyone of some of the major tournaments coming this Summer along with the 30+ 2025 tournaments our clubs are hosting and have asked us to post on our PBC website Tournament page here.
BC Provincial Team Competition at Nationals
PBC recently sent out a request for expressions of interest to our 400+ British Columbia CTPR 4.0+ rated players of record, as we formulate our first BC Provincial Team. The first event that they will compete in will be at the Nationals to be held in Winnipeg, August 19th – 24th 2025.
A reminder of what the team and the event look like, which will take place Thursday August 21st:
- The BC Provincial Team is selected by the PBC Tournament Committee headed by our Chair Rick Folk, based on a transparent selection process to be announced after the April 30th close of applications
- The BC Team is comprised of sixteen 4.0+ CTPR players with 4-8 alternates. There are 2 Divisions of Masters 50+ and Open Divisions, each with Men’s and Women’s Doubles teams, a Mixed Doubles team, and a Men and Women’s Singles team
- Competition Format proposed is a Round Robin where each provincial team in the Open and 50+ Divisions plays one game against the other provincial teams, leading to Gold/Silver and Bronze medal matches
- This event is proposed to take place one dedicated day within the 2025 Nationals, which will not interfere with other matches
We were very pleased with the response as we currently have over 35 players who qualify and are interested in playing for our team of up to 24 BC Provincial Team members (16 players with up to 8 alternates). Also when players sign up for the Nationals, there is a question posed as to whether that “qualified” player wants to provide an expression of interest to join the BC Provincial Team – we have over 25 currently who have done so (some duplicates) and they will be added to our “Interest List”. Still time to apply as below!
Still lots of details to be worked out including team “gear” but we would like to ask for expressions of interest or club recommendations for players 4.0+ CTPR who may be interested in applying for the BC Team on or before our cut-off of April 30th. Please send us details with your current CTPR rating, and the Division and event(s) that you would be interested in (one player per event) to: TournamentCommittee@PickleballBC.ca.
Thanks for your interest and we think this will be a lot of fun and a way to celebrate our best players in BC! Also upon registration in the Nationals, you will be asked if you’re interested in applying, and PBC will be notified—so if you missed sending us an expression of interest, this will suffice.
Pictured above, from left: Richard Chambers, Vernon Pickleball Association Tournament Chair, and Cara Arding, owner, Pickleball Depot; and on the right Leah Peebles, Pickleball Depot and Brent Bolin, VPA President. Photography taken at the National Bank Financial Okanagan Wealth Advisors Pickleball Complex on Okanagan Landing Road. (Anne Longley photo)
Pickleball Depot BC Provincial Championships
Registration has opened and we already have 520+ players as of today! Still space available so register soon to confirm your spot here. Further details:
- REGISTRATION CLOSE DATE: June 20th 2025
- SANCTIONED BY PICKLEBALL CANADA: As a sanctioned tournament it is your CTPR rating that is used to determine your eligibility to enter an event.
- EYEWEAR: The Vernon Pickleball Association has a mandatory protective eyewear policy in place as of January 1, 2025. Eyewear must be worn by all players on court. Prescription glasses or sunglasses are acceptable. Players not wearing protective eyewear will be removed from the tournament without a refund.
- ATTENTION JUNIORS (U19): Sign up in the 13 – 49 age group in the event you want to enter. If there are sufficient registrations we will create a junior event.
- ELIGIBILITY: Open to Residents of BC (as verified by Driver’s License if required). Must be a Pickleball Canada and Pickleball B.C. member
- EVENTS: Please refer to the Pickleball.com posting link to this tournament above
CPO 2025 National Championships Winnipeg August 19th – 24th 2025
Registration opened yesterday at 4pm CST and there are already 540+ players registered as of today. There are expected to be up to 700 players and there is still room so if you want to join us, please go to Pickleball.com and register here. Don’t forget to provide your expression of interest to join our BC Provincial Team when you register if you qualify, and come to the Provincial Team playoffs event August 21, 2025 to cheer your team on!!
2025 Pickleball Canada Ambassadors Program Launched
After research results informed PCO that many Canadians are lacking information as a key barrier to participating in our engaging sport of Pickleball, PCO created a program that aims to enhance communication efforts and better connect with its community. Further, the program targets individuals who are pickleball leaders and passionate about advancing the sport. Thus, the 2025 Pickleball Canada Ambassadors Program was launched on April 10th 2025.
The full story can be read on the Pickleball BC website.
Ambassadors Search and Assignments
PCO sent out a communication call for applications on February 3, 2025 with a set deadline of February 21, 2025. Next, PCO received over 160 applications for spots in the program. After a selection process was undertaken, 17 individuals from across the country were selected based on their community involvement and dedication to our sport.
Pickleball BC Association (“PBC”) is excited to announce the following individuals as the 2025 Pickleball Canada Ambassadors in BC:
More information about Lindsay and Asaan can be found on the Pickleball BC website.
David Snell, President, Pickleball BC Association, adds: “There’s an Ancient Proverb that states … ‘If you are planning for one year, grow rice. If you are planning for twenty years, grow trees. If you are planning for centuries, grow people.’
That adage aligns with the Ambassador Program’s initiative to reach individuals, communities and to inform, educate them to participate in our inclusive, appealing sport. This will also engage our provincial members to cast a wider net in their respective region to educate others for growth. Let us welcome and support our BC Ambassadors Lindsay and Asaan as they plant the seeds for future generations.”
Additional 2025 PCO Ambassador Program information is here and also here.
For more information, contact:
David Snell, President
Pickleball BC Association
president@pickleballbc.ca
BC Mainland: Lindsay Brown
Pickleball Canada Ambassador – B.C.
lindsaybrown03@icloud.com
The Island: Asaan Maherali
Pickleball Canada Ambassador – B.C.
asaan.maherali@gmail.com
Kitchen Corners Reports. Updates on Memberships, Refereeing and Grants as noted above.
Finally, please send your Club stories and pics for consideration in our monthly “From our Clubs” segment, or if you can share some of your Club event pics for possible inclusion on our PBC website or Instagram, we would really appreciate it—for consideration please send them to Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
This Newsletter contains plenty of new news, which I hope you can enjoy along with time with family and friends on this Easter weekend. All comments and contributions are very welcome!
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David Snell, President
PICKLEBALL BC ASSOCIATION
President@PickleballBC.ca
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News From Our Clubs:
Golden Ears Pickleball Club: Building Community Through Sport
Members, and some of the executive team, celebrating and raising $3,100 for a fun, 2024 PADS tournament.
Established in 2020, the Golden Ears Pickleball Club (GEPBC) has quickly become a cornerstone of the Pickleball community in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. It was founded by a group of six enthusiastic Pickleball players who recognized the growing popularity of the sport. The club has grown into an inclusive and thriving organization where players of all skill levels can develop their game and enjoy friendly competition. The club’s mission is to promote the sport of pickleball by providing a welcoming environment that fosters skill development, camaraderie, and community spirit.
Winners of our February 2025 fun-club, 65+ tournament.
The club’s journey began with the founders reaching out to established clubs for advice and direction on how to get started. Under the leadership of the club’s first president, Colleen Hannah, GEPBC successfully navigated the steps needed to become a registered non-profit organization. From modest beginnings with approximately 50 members, the club has grown to a membership of 280 active players with an average age of 61. The club has become a hub for both seasoned players and newcomers, creating a space where everyone can feel welcome and engaged.
The Golden Ears Pickleball club hosted its first tournament in July 2021 at Garibaldi Secondary School, where six courts were created from two former tennis courts. Following the success of this inaugural event, the club went on to host several other members-only tournaments and charity events, often raising funds for the local food banks.
Adele Cloete, a Founding Club Member who has taught hundreds of new players, winning Gold against players young enough to be her grandchildren.
In August 2023, using six newly surfaced courts at Pitt Meadows Athletic Park, the club held its first Summer Classic Tournament in honour of Steve Deakin. The event was a great success, featuring a meet and greet with Canada’s top professional Pickleball athlete, and a demonstration of 6.0 level pickleball. During the tournament, the club honoured Deakin with a lifetime, honorary membership, recognizing his contributions to the sport and his local roots.
Momentum continued into 2024, with the club participating in a province-wide event on April 20 to raise funds for PADS, generating over $3,100. Later that year, the second Summer Classic attracted over 300 participants from across the lower mainland, 4 Provinces and 3 countries. The finals day’s matches were unfortunately rained out, but the event showcased a high level of talent and enthusiasm.
Looking ahead, the club is already preparing for its third Summer Classic tournament, scheduled for August 15th, 16th, and 17th 2025, to be held again at Pitt Meadows Athletic Park. This year the event will include singles events, both Skinny and Full Court.
A group of volunteers installing wind screens at a Garibaldi school to improve the playing experience for all ladies skinny singles.
The club uses the revenue from these tournaments to fund year-round programming and club-play sessions. From October through March, when outdoor play is limited by weather, GEPBC rents multiple indoor venues to ensure members can continue to play and develop their skills. Outdoor courts are rented from May through mid September with sessions tailored to accommodate both the retired community and members that are still working. These sessions include free play, round-robin scramble, skill development and social events designed to encourage friendly competition and a strong sense of community.
Beyond the courts, GEPBC has formed valuable relationships with many local businesses in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. These partnerships, provide benefits to club members while strengthening the club’s connection to the broader community. The efforts to engage with local organizations reflect a determination to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where relationships extend beyond the game.
From its inception, GEPBC has been driven by a passion for the sport and a commitment to creating an inclusive and vibrant community. Through thoughtful, planning, engaging events, and a focus on skilled development and camaraderie, the club continues to grow and thrive. With a growing membership, successful tournaments, multiple club-play sessions, and a commitment to community engagement—the Golden Ears Pickleball club is poised to continue making a positive impact in the lives of its members and the community for years to come.
Alyson Cliff, Treasurer
Golden Ears Pickleball Club
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Kitchen Corners: By The Numbers
April 2025 Membership Report
As of April 14, 2025, there are 16,552 active members in BC, still down considerably from last December’s numbers. There were 1,341 memberships processed in Mar 2025. This is up by 335 from last month. 764 renewals processed and 577 new memberships. A relatively slow month but more than last month.
BC had one club end its existence with its members migrating to an existing club. The club that was terminated was the Saanich Peninsula Pickleball Association (SPPA). Most of the members migrated to Peninsula Community Pickleball Club (PCPC). This gives the province an even 100 PBC Affiliated or Associated clubs.
See you on the courts.
Blair Morton
PBC Registrar
Registrar@PickleballBC.ca
Thinking of joining—follow the link!
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Kitchen Corners: Head Referee Corners
How To Become a Pickleball Referee
As we are starting to get into the ‘outdoor’ season for pickleball in BC, there are players that ask how they could become a pickleball referee, or at least obtain more information about the officiating system in BC and Canada.
In the past week, we have welcomed two new accredited officials in our province. They completed their training and were successfully assessed in Vernon. They join 29 other Level One referees, 21 Level Two referees, and 12 Certified Referees. These referees are scattered all over our province; so, if you are interested in becoming a referee, perhaps check with your local pickleball club to find out if there is an accredited referee club member that you could talk to, and find out first hand what it is like to be a referee.
The second way you could obtain the information would be to contact myself, the Pickleball BC Head Referee, at headreferee@pickleballbc.ca and I would be happy to help you out.
The third way would be to go to the Pickleball Canada website and enter the ‘Officiating’ section. You will find a wealth of information that includes an explanation of the officiating program in Canada, how to videos, online training sessions, online tests, pickleball rules, and lots of other useful information.
This year, the BC Provincial Pickleball Championships will be held in Vernon from July 24 to 27. For 4 days, competitors will be competing from 8 AM until approximately 6:30 PM on 24 pickleball courts. Every one of these matches will be refereed by a BC accredited official!!
Check it out … perhaps you would like to become a pickleball referee.
Rick Folk
Head Referee
HeadReferee@PickleballBC.ca
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Sponsorships
We urge you to support and thank all our sponsors at every opportunity—they are listed throughout our website and in this newsletter. Sponsorships can help to defray the cost of hosting our website, sending this newsletter and also of supporting the running and promoting of tournaments and clinics.
Opportunities exist for businesses and individuals, starting at $25.00 to sponsor and support pickleball in British Columbia—details on our Sponsor Program page or contact Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
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Website or Newsletter
As always we are delighted to receive suggestions and/or contributions of content for the website and future newsletters. Send to Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
David Snell
President, Pickleball BC (Association)
President@PickleballBC.ca
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