President’s Kitchen Sink Newsletter June 2025 Edition
Picture courtesy of Vector Stock #PickleballBC #FathersDay #USAPA
The Kitchen Sink June Edition, Pickleball BC (“PBC”) President’s Introduction
Welcome to the June edition of our Kitchen Sink Newsletter.
The modern Father’s Day in North America is largely credited to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909, she wanted to honour her own father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who single-handedly raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth.
Father’s Day 2025 in Canada arrives today Sunday, June 15th. It’s a movable celebration held on the third Sunday of June each year, dedicated to honouring the fathers and father figures who enrich our lives. Your plans may have included a special trip, a quiet day at home, a welcome phone call (or Zoom) from afar, time on the pickleball court with family and friends – in any case, perhaps Father’s Day provides a chance for us to simply express our love and appreciation for all that fathers do or have done for us.
In this June 2025 issue we wanted to highlight: the nomination of Heather Hood to the PBC Board of Directors; update regarding the Provincials and Nationals and the status of our formation of our BC Provincial Team; update on Phase 1 of our Activating Youth Pickleball in BC (“AYPBC”) project and a recent “Slamboree”; reminder of the Pickleball Canada (“PCO”) AGM June 26th 4pm PDT; our new PBC YouTube channel and a few uploads; a “From Our Clubs” report about a pickleball facility in Haida Gwaii and a new PBC Associate Club there; and, other updates regarding our PBC Grants’ Program successes on Cortes Island, News, Policy reports and our new PBC 2025 initiatives in our Directors’ Kitchen Corners section here.
Enjoy all the new news and updates in our June 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
Pickleball Passion Ignites in the remote community of K’il Kun (Sandspit), Haida Gwaii—Our 101st Associate PBC Club.
Hekate’s Retreat in Sandspit on Haida Gwaii is Pickleball BC’s 101st club offering their guests pickleball facilities, including many other amenities.
Nestled on coast of Moresby Island on Haida Gwaii lies the tiny community of K’il Kun (Sandspit), with a population of just 300 people. It’s the kind of place where the world slows down, and nature envelops you. Now, thanks to one passionate player, it’s also becoming an unlikely hotspot for pickleball lovers.
<Click link to read more.>
• Pickleball Passion Ignites
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<Click link to read more.>
• Board Meeting April 15, 2025
• Board Meeting March 11, 2025
• AGM Minutes February 18, 2025
• Board Meeting February 11 and 25, 2025
• Board Meeting January 14, 2025
• Board Meeting December 11, 2024
• More Board information including Youth Programs, Committees, Policies, Strategic Plans, President’s Reports and more on PBC website.
PBC Website Stories
Submit your club stories and photos for inclusion in the website and/or upcoming newsletter. Send to Marcom@PickleballBC.ca
<Click link to read more.>
• May 20, 2025: PBC Sponsors Pickleball Charity Event With Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver White Caps, and BC Lions Alumni, Including Pro Pickleball Players
• May 19, 2025: PADDLES FOR PADS 2nd Annual Pacific Assistance Dog Society & Hollyburn Country Club Partner For A Great Cause
• May 13, 2025: Indoor Pickleball Facility Opens At The City of Lougheed: The Inclusive Place of Pickleball
• April 16, 2025: 2025 Pickleball Canada Ambassadors Program Launched
• March 30, 2025: PBCA Invites Top BC Players To Compete Against Other Provincial Teams At 2025 National Championships
• March 21, 2025: BC Provincial and Canadian National Championships Registration and Tournament Date Reminders
• March 20, 2025: McKenzie Elementary School Receives AYPBC Pickleball Equipment
Resources
<Click link to read more.>
• Officiating Program
• Coach Education Program
• Grant Program
• PBC Policies and Plans
• Newsletters (Past and Present)
• Your Board of Directors
Additional Content
<Click link to read more.>
• Visit PBC Instagram
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President’s Report
New PBC Board Member
We are pleased to announce that Heather Hood has been nominated as a PBC Director at our Board meeting last week. Heather has served on our Board in the past having helped establish our Youth and Community Grant Programs with Sharon MacDonald, serves as Co-Chair of our Youth Committee and as our Yukon/BC Representative on the PCO Board. Heather also helped manage the Vancouver Island Region of our AYPBC project – update below.
Please help me welcome Heather to her new position and she can be contacted at Youth@PickleballBC.ca.
2025 Provincials and Nationals Reminders
First of all a final reminder of the PBC Pickleball Depot 2025 Provincials in Vernon with 615 players as of today with registration closing June 20th – a few events still have some room so register soon to confirm your spot here. The 2025 Myoflex National Championship in Winnipeg has 697 players registered as of today and registration closes July 20th.
BC Provincial Team Competition at Nationals
Thank you to those of you who have committed to play with the Team in the event that you are selected as a player or an alternate. A follow-up email will be sent soon for the other invited players who have not responded asking for an updated commitment to play with the Team on Thursday August 21st (all day during Nationals with no other events).
Selection of the final team and alternates will be made by the Tournament Committee one week after the Provincials.
Activating Youth Pickleball in BC (“AYPBC”) Phase 1 Update
As the school year is winding down we wanted to provide an update on Phase 1 on our AYPBC project which is in its final stages. As noted in prior updates (AYPBC PBC website pages on the history and successes of the project can be found here) this project funded by a grant from ViaSport, PBC, Pickleball Canada (“PCO”) and three PBC Affiliate Clubs (Victoria, Vancouver and Vernon) provided equipment, NCCP teacher/coach training, and event funding for 18 BC Elementary schools in various Regions of BC.
Our goal was to provide up to 3,000 introductions to pickleball to Elementary school youth in our three Regions of Vancouver Island, Vancouver and Thompson/Okanagan – the AYPBC team achieved an INCREDIBLE 11,000 INTRODUCTIONS! In addition we trained 33 coaches, 23 of which obtained NCCP Level 1 certification. Introductions were made through intramural activities, PD days, before and after school sessionsand part of the program included hosting “Slamborees” – which were designed to involve multiple schools, various coaches at the school and district level to provide sustainability and the adoption of pickleball as part of the regular school curriculum.
One such Slamboree, which I attended, was held last week at the David Thompson Secondary School in Vancouver that involved 90 students from 9 Elementary schools – all with school-provided event shirts as seen below! When asked, I was told that they loved playing pickleball with friends and family because it was “fun” – and that’s what this sport is all about is it not? A short video can be found here.
Phase 2 is scheduled to start this September following publication of our AYPBC Teachers Guide, Elementary School Teaching Curriculums and Unit Plans, and FAQ’s on our PBC website for all of our Affiliated and Associated Clubs in BC. These documents can then be used by teams assembled to provide pickleball introductions to Elementary School Youth in areas throughout BC. More information and timing will be available shortly as we assemble the results of Phase 1. Any general questions or expressions of interest in joining Phase 2 of the AYPBC project please inquire to info@PickleballBC.ca.
Left photo: David Snell, PBC President; Justin Liao, Level 2 Coach; Andre Plourde, VPA Member At Large; Sharon Hoy, AYPBC Project Coordinator; Greg Feehan, former President VPA; and Kirsten Ernst, Volunteer. Right photo: briefing with the 90 kids and several teacher and player coaches.
PCO Annual General Meeting June 26th 4pm PDT
To attend and be eligible to vote at the AGM, Pickleball Canada members must register in advance. Closer to the meeting date, all registered members will receive further details, including the Zoom meeting link, attendance and voting instructions, rules of procedure, and Director nominee information. Translation services will be provided in English and French.
The following documents made available:
- 2025 Annual General Meeting Agenda
- 2025 Special General Meeting Minutes
- 2024 Annual General Meeting Minutes
- 2024 Audited Financial Statements
PBC YouTube Channel
We are pleased to remind members of our new YouTube channel dedicated to Pickleball BC and its stakeholders including but not limited to our PBC Members, Affiliate and Associated Clubs, BC pickleball associations, community centers and private clubs, and our sponsors. Again fairly new so not much there at this point, but looking forward to providing more content soon. All potential contributions are welcome at Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
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 that I hope you can enjoy along with time with family and friends on this Father’s Day 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:
Pickleball Passion Ignites in the remote community of K’il Kun (Sandspit), Haida Gwaii—Our 101st Associate PBC Club!
Hekate’s Retreat in Sandspit on Haida Gwaii is Pickleball BC’s 101st club offering their guests pickleball facilities, including many other amenities.
Nestled on coast of Moresby Island on Haida Gwaii lies the tiny community of K’il Kun (Sandspit), with a population of just 300 people. It’s the kind of place where the world slows down, and nature envelops you. Now, thanks to one passionate player, it’s also becoming an unlikely hotspot for pickleball lovers.
Andrew Purdey, the owner of Hekate’s Retreat in K’il Kun (Sandspit), didn’t just bring his love of pickleball with him to Haida Gwaii—he brought the courts too. As an avid fan of the sport, Andrew believes in pickleball’s ability to build community, encourage active lifestyles, and—above all—bring joy. And now Hekate’s Retreat is PBC’s 101st Associate Club!
If you’re a fan of pickleball and like the idea of combining your sport with an unforgettable travel experience, K’il Kun (Sandspit) is calling. Hekate’s Retreat, now home to two covered pickleball courts onsite, offers the perfect base for group getaways, retreats, or solo adventures with your paddle in tow.
Hekate’s Retreat sits on the grounds of what was once a working sheep and cattle farm in the late 1800s, originally homesteaded by the Mather family. In 1969, the property was transformed into The Willows Golf Course, echoing the classic links-style layouts of Scotland. By 1972, it opened to the public. Today, the course stands as British Columbia’s most westerly golf course, offering 9 holes, 18 tee boxes, and 6,220 yards of seaside beauty. It’s a course equally loved by beginners and seasoned players.
Adding to its appeal, the property now features a Nordic Sauna Circuit—a wellness experience where guests cycle through heat, cold, and rest. With an electric sauna, outdoor cold plunge tubs, a cold shower, and a serene relaxation area with a fire pit. The property also has a restaurant and a variety of accommodation options to choose from. All of this is just steps from the ocean and five minutes from the K’il Kun Xidgwangs Daanaay Airport. Getting there is easy with daily 90-minute flights from Vancouver or ferry access from Northern BC.
Why pickleball you ask? Andrew’s passion for pickleball is rooted in its simplicity, inclusivity, and community spirit. “It’s a game that everyone can play, at any age—and it’s fun!” he says with a smile. But Andrew’s vision extends beyond the local community. He sees Hekate’s Retreat as a destination for pickleball vacations, where groups can gather for friendly matches, wellness, and a deeper connection with nature and each other.
For more information, contact:
Marlese Platter
Marketing Coordinator
On behalf of Hekate’s Retreat Pickleball Club, Haida Gwaii
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Kitchen Corners: Grants
PBCA Grants Program
Pickleball courts, Cortes Island, BC. Two new nets provided through grant funding from Pickleball BC. The old net becomes a new divider between the courts.
Pickleball BC Community Grant Recipient Story
Cortes Island Pickleball Club: Grant #169
Grant amount: $1,000
– Items purchased: Two heavy-duty mobile pickleball nets, Picklenet Deluxe.
– Total purchase price including shipping: $1,492.85
– Grant applied for on March 31, 2025 – Successful grant notification from Pickleball BC on April 6, 2025
Tony Toledo and Alex Hornby, Cortes Island Pickleball Club.
The nets were ordered from Pickleball Superstore on April 11 and shipped to a Cortes Island Pickleball Club member in Vancouver to reduce shipping costs by $200 compared to shipping to Cortes Island. We set up the nets on a recent sunny afternoon. They are great! We use one of our old nets as a divider between our awkwardly positioned courts.
Some of our Cortes Island pickleball club members happy with one of our two new nets provided by a grant from Pickleball BC!
We are at the start of building a new multi-use court facility on Cortes Island that will accommodate three pickleball courts. We will use our two nets provided by Pickleball BC Grant #169 on the new courts once they are finished. In the meantime we continue to have fun playing on our two makeshift courts behind the Cortes Island School.
Thank you Pickleball BC!
Don Hall
Cortes Island Pickleball Club
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Apply For Your Grant Funding Today
If you have a need and feel that your club qualifies for either our expanded Youth or Community Grants, please apply here, or if you have any questions contact …
Sharon MacDonald
Vice President & Grant Administrator
Grants@PickleballBC.ca
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Kitchen Corners: By The Numbers
June 2025 Membership Report
As of June 8, 2025, there are 18,565 active members in BC, growing towards our December 2024 peak of approximately 21,000 but at a slower rate than last month. There were 1,057 memberships processed in May 2025. This is down by 503 from last month. 371 renewals processed and 686 new memberships. The rate of growth has slowed, compared to last month. Membership renewals have dropped significantly, which aligns with the situation that most clubs’ seasons are well underway.
Here’s a tidbit of information provided by Pickleball Canada Organization (PCO). BC ‘s membership makes up 24.7% of Canada’s membership, a close second to Ontario (25.7%). Here are the highlights of other Provincial/Territorial Sports Organizations (“PTSO’s”).
- Pickleball Canada’s membership grew 15% from the same period in 2025.
- Manitoba saw the most significant growth at 54% from 2024 to 2025.
- Newfoundland and Yukon saw some significant growth in the same period in 2024 as well with Newfoundland having 43% growth and Yukon with 37% growth.
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
Referee Assessments
In British Columbia, we have 62 Accredited Referees. They have different levels of accreditation. Level One, Level Two, or Certified Referees. At one time or another, each one of our referees went through the assessment process to be accredited to Level One or Level Two.
The Assessment Process in BC is explained on the Pickleball BC website, click on Play and Learn, then click on Rules/Officiating. For over one year, we have been using the TRR (Tiered Referee Rating) Form to assess the skills of the aspiring official. The TRR Form is available on the Pickleball Canada website under Officiating. For a referee wishing to attain a Level One, he/she must pass the first 25 requirements on the TRR. For a referee wishing to attain a Level Two accreditation must successfully meet all of the 35 requirements.
I have noticed that assessment candidates have been very ‘nervous’ as they begin their assessment matches. Certainly, we all went through this somewhat stressful testing at one time or another as we became accredited in the past, but I decided to add a new element to help out our current referees being assessed. Whenever possible, I have asked all assessors to allow the candidates to referee in at least one match before their assessment officially begins. In this way, the candidate can officiate in a match without the assessor watching them, and ‘get into their officiating groove’. So far, in the referee assessments conducted last weekend in Kamloops, the assessment candidates seemed more ‘at ease’, and attained more successful results.
For your information, there have been 14 Referee Assessments conducted in BC this year. Eight have been successful, and 6 have been unsuccessful. Hopefully, this success rate will rise as we incorporate the new warm-up match initiative.
Thank you to all of the referees who endeavour to attain their officiating credentials. The process takes time and commitment, but the results are more competent and consistent officiating … which are of benefit to all pickleball players as they compete in tournaments. As well, thank you to all of our BC Referee Assessors who put in so much time to help out our newer referees.
Enjoy Pickleball!
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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