Kitchen Sink Newsletter October 2025 Edition
Seven of our BC Provincial Team Members (with coach Tim MacVinnie) were chosen by CNPL to play on the Canadian Team Attending the World Cup Tournament in Florida October 27th to November 2nd 2025.
The Kitchen Sink October Edition, Pickleball BC (“PBC”) President’s Introduction
Welcome to the October edition of our Kitchen Sink Newsletter and we hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend – all the more reason to play pickleball @ 1,000 calories for 90+ minutes of fun.
In this October 2025 issue our lead off story follows to successes of our 2025 BC Provincial Team – 7 members of Team BC have been chosen to join the Canadian contingent going to the World Cup Tournament in Fort Lauderdale October 27th to November 2nd 2025. Read more here.
Thanks to those Clubs/Organizations who have expressed interest in our 2026 Provincials and this is a final request for any BC Clubs or Organizations who wish to provide further “expressions of interest” in hosting our 2026 Provincials. Deadline is October 31st 2025 so please send any further expressions of interest to President@PickleballBC.ca.
Also in this Edition: A reminder that PBC membership dues are going up from $7.50/year to $10/year as at December 31st, unless you sign up prior – more info here; request for expressions of interest to help us revamp and update our PBC website under contract; AYPBC Phase 2 kick off details; a “News From Our Clubs” story from Delta Pickleball Association; our PBC YouTube channel and more uploads; and, other updates regarding News, Policy reports and our continuing PBC 2025 initiatives in our Director’s Kitchen Corners section here.
Enjoy all the new news and updates in our October Kitchen Sink Newsletter and see you on the outside courts for a few days longer – with your eyewear protection!
David Snell
President Pickleball BC
President@PickleballBC.ca
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News From Our Clubs
Delta Pickleball Association: Why Is Pickleball A Game For All The Ages?
One of the questions that people ask is why? How does a game go from virtual anonymity to being the fastest growing sport in North America and starting to explode globally? One reason is that it is a game that has fewer boundaries and because of that it brings people together. It is inclusive.
<Click link to read more.>
• Why Is Pickleball A Game For All The Ages?
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President’s Report
PBC 2026 Membership Fees Increase
A reminder that as announced previously, our PBC membership fees are going up from $7.50/year to $10/year as of January 1st 2026. This reflects our effort to provide more support to service our 8 Strategic Objectives that we have been following under our 2023 – 2025 PBC Strategic Plan. Also this is more in line with other provinces and in fact one of the lower provincial fees in Canada. Pickleball Canada (“PCO”), now our recognized Sport Canada National Sport Organization, fees (paid in addition) do remain at $10/year.
I hesitate to say, that for the cost of one cup of coffee for an annual membership, your fees allow us to offer our 20,000+ members and 101 Affiliated and Associated Clubs and organizations many added-value services and allow us to represent pickleball interests provincially. Please see more details in our Registrar Blair Morton’s Kitchen Sink section here. And better yet, if you purchase a 2026 membership prior to December 31st 2025, you only pay the current fee of $7.50 and it covers you through 2026!
Request for Expressions of Interest To Revamp PBC’s Website
Exciting News: Pickleball BC is on the hunt to hire a pickleball enthusiast website developer to modernize our website from the ground up! Please email marcom@pickleballbc.ca with an expression of interest or to learn more. If you can recommend/refer someone, let us know.
Our BC Provincial Team pictured above after winning the Interprovincial Competition at the Winnipeg Nationals Championship
7 Members of the 2025 BC Provincial Team Invited to the World Cup
As reported last month, the 2025 Myoflex National Championship in Winnipeg took place the week of August 19th – 24th where our BC Provincial Team won the Interprovincial Event against 5 other provinces. Read the full Story on our PBC website here.
Following that success, congratulations to the 6 Team BC players and their coach who have been selected to join the Canadian Team in the upcoming World Cup Tournament in Florida. PBC has again sponsored this group to assist with some of the expenses involved in attending this tournament, but if you would like to assist in the estimated $70,000 cost, you can help by donating to their Go Fund Me site: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-team-canada-at-the-pickleball-world-cup
Here are the names of the 7 participating BC Team Players and the Coach: Caelan Sampson (Langley), Casey Rodgers (Kamloops), and Michael McCaffery (Surrey); Senior Team players Maggie Murch (North Vancouver), Margit Aardmaa (Coquitlam), and Robin D’Abreo (Port Coquitlam); Olivia Hui on the Junior Team; and coach Tim MacVinnie.
Activating Youth Pickleball in BC (“AYPBC”) Phase 2 Kicks Off
We had our first AYPBC Phase 2 meeting this week with our Affiliated Clubs in BC that are interested in joining our project from new areas of BC such as North Okanagan, Sunshine Coast, Upper Mainland, North Coast and the Kootenays. We are deciding on up to 4 new Regions to add to our 3 existing ones all of whom have committed to Phase 2.
As discussed last month, we have a Leaders Guide being finalized for Phase 2 particularly for Elementary students and including teachers’ Unit Plans, FAQ’s, PBC website pages dedicated to supporting documentation and a lot of guidance to share with our participating Regions.
If you have an interest in Phase 2 and did not attend the meeting, please send your expressions of interest to President@PickleballBC.ca outlining your level of interest in participating in AYPBC Phase 2, potential Regional team members and their background and other information that you feel may be of interest given the description above and the many posts on our PBC website “AYPBC” pages here. Deadline for new applicants is October 31st 2025.
Finally, please send your Club stories and pics for consideration in our monthly “News 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. 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:
Delta Pickleball Association:
Why Is Pickleball A Game For All The Ages?
Pickleball brings people together, regardless of age and gender.
Like in many communities around our province, pickleball has grown exponentially in Delta, BC. From its inception in 2017, the Delta Pickleball Association (DPA) has grown from 7 members to 930 members in 2025. On the backs of our founders and visionaries, Peter Darvill, Eric Zukowsky, Frank Sawatzky, Alan Holmgren, Don Tuck, Randy Bourne and George Pierce, has prospered.
One of the questions that people ask is why? How does a game go from virtual anonymity to being the fastest growing sport in North America and starting to explode globally? One reason is that it is a game that has fewer boundaries and because of that it brings people together. It is inclusive.
“The thing I love most about the game was … it was a game not only for all ages, but men and women can play together or against each other quite equally. And it has created a social life for many, many people, including me.” Michael Harbott (90 years young)
At DPA, we ignore the “noise about the noise”, the criticism, comparisons to tennis and any other negative feedback. We know better and choose to focus on the positive. There are reasons for the growth. Those unfamiliar with the game do not understand that it is a solution to some of the physical, mental and social difficulties plaguing society.
“There are many older people whose lives are focused around sitting on the couch and watching TV in isolation. I have seen many of these people find purpose, friends, and health through pickleball.” Don Tuck, Founding member
It is easy for those outside the game to understand its physical benefits. Cardiovascular fitness, strength training and flexibility are all things that are easy to attribute to an active court-based racquet sport. What is not understood and sometimes misunderstood are the other benefits. Unlike many other games, pickleball is relatively inexpensive to play and easy to pick up. People that have historically never played many sports can now participate fully.
Most people also don’t understand the mental benefits of pickleball. This simple game challenges players, regardless of what level they play at, to improve their focus, think of and apply strategy, put paddle to ball, and work together with a partner. They get to use their brains.
“You can go for a walk. That’s great. But a walk doesn’t really tune you up mentally. Unlike when you know that you’re focussing, concentrating, you know that you’re using your mind but … you’re also getting a good workout.” Annie Rough, DPA member
Don’t forget about the fun. As a result of many things already mentioned, people can get comfortably competent quite quickly and participate. While it can be a competitive sport, at DPA we see it first as a social sport. The fun is the elixir that seems to draw and hold people to the sport.
“I often hear players on other courts laughing and hooting it up. That tells me the enjoyment is there. And many times, we’ll have a good extended rally, and everyone just goes, ‘wow.’ Pure joy.” Erik Zukowsky, Founding member
For us at DPA, the most important element of pickleball is the social element. There are widespread stories in the media about the lack of mental health, social disenfranchisement, and loneliness. Many people as they retire, lose many of their historical connections to people. Pickleball does help in this regard. The design of the game where you get to participate with a partner; the relatively short games that create opportunities to meet people and then change partners; and the “hanging around the courts” and “folding chair socials” that result and the friendships and relationships that get built, are all reasons why the game is becoming so popular.
“I can’t believe we have over 900 members now. What I get the most out of pickleball is the socializing, the friendliness and the exercise. Now I have a core group of people that are my go-to friends to socialise with. Pickleball has become the mainstay on my social calendar. I can go to the park and get half a dozen hugs in five minutes. Everyone is so friendly, pleasant, caring and good people.” Don Rosander, DPA Member (86 years young)
The Delta Pickleball Association has partnered with the South Delta Food Bank through fundraising events like the “Dash ‘N Smash” tournament.
At Delta Pickleball, like many clubs around our Province, we believe in these benefits, these stories and how pickleball can help people. Physical, mental and social health are critical for healthy communities and we are dedicated to create opportunities for more people to play. Pickleball is and will remain a game that provides opportunities to participate to all ages, genders and others regardless of their current health. From our community to yours, thank you to all of the organizers, Board members, volunteers around the Province who believe in these same things and provide their time for others.
We would love to see you at our 4th Annual Dash ‘N Smash sanctioned tournament in June 2026 at Chalmers Park in North Delta!
Submitted by Landon Kitagawa, President Delta Pickleball Association
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Kitchen Corners: By The Numbers
October 2025 Membership Report
As of October 12th 2025, there are 20,928 active PBC members. Approximately 600 more than last month. There were 966 memberships processed in September 2025. This is up considerably from last month, by 609. 475 renewals and 491 new memberships were processed. This month’s numbers show a significant increase in processed memberships. This was expected since September is the start of winter season (indoor) for many clubs. The next spike will probably occur in December when many clubs start registration for the 2026 summer season.
2026 Membership Fee Change
As David mentioned in his above President’s Report and concerning the membership fee change, there are many benefits to PBC/PCO memberships, including these important ones:
- Community and youth grants offered to our affiliated clubs or communities sponsored by a club
- Access to PCO’s Pickleball Canada National System (“PCNS”) that provides BC membership and communications management, Sanctioned Tournament services and information, Club management and much more
- Engage in programs such as our Provincial Championships, selected tournaments like the 55+ Games and support for our Provincial Team
- Provide communication and social media services such as the Newsletter, YouTube, and Instagram
- Maintain our PBC website with BC, Canadian, and world pickleball information including BC tournament information, facilities, where to play, clinics, etc.
- Offer supplemental insurance coverage for Affiliated Clubs and members
- Provide BC referee training and certification and refereeing at tournaments (all games were refereed at the 2025 Provincials with 62 BC refs)
- Participate in a recognized (by Pickleball Canada, Sport BC and viaSport BC) Provincial Sport Organization that is focused on the development of the sport and the capacity to access provincial sport funding. This funding supports and guides municipalities in infrastructure development and actively encourages tournament infrastructure, and
- Pickleball BC continues to work toward making BC a leader in Canadian pickleball whether it be in youth development, technology, rules, regulations, provincial and national team development, coaching and all things pickleball
If you purchase a 2026 membership prior to December 31st 2025, you only pay the current fee of $7.50 and it covers you through 2026!
National Membership Statistics
Pickleball Canada (PCO) has published national statistics for the month of September 2025. Here are the highlights:
- Pickleball Canada’s membership still represents 0.19% of the total population
- Yukon’s membership represents the largest number of members compared to total population at 0.59%
- New Brunswick’s membership represents the second largest number of members compared to total population at 0.53%
- Pickleball Canada’s membership grew 12% from the same period in 2025 (September 2024 to September 2025)
- Manitoba saw the most significant growth at 47% from 2024 to 2025, and
- BC’s membership grew by 6% from September 2024 to September 2025 and remained with the second most members in Canada at 24.0%, with Ontario having slightly more
See you on the courts – with protective eyewear!
Blair Morton
PBC Registrar
Registrar@PickleballBC.ca
Thinking of Joining—Follow The Link!
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Kitchen Corners: Head Referee Corners
BC Referees
After a busy outdoor pickleball season, the number of BC Accredited Officials stands at 65: 30 Level 1s, 23 Level 2s, and 12 Certified Referees. At this time one year ago, we had 62. This number may decrease over the off-season as some referees may decide not to continue. In 2024, the Referee Maintenance Program was introduced to encourage referees to remain current with officiating rules and best practices. As each referee’s 3-year credential term comes up, he/she is required to successfully complete a verbal test of referee knowledge. Because of health reasons, lifestyle changes, or the referee maintenance program, it is anticipated that we will lose about 5 – 10% of our BC referees.
At the same time, we are training new referees that will hopefully pursue accreditation in the near future. Currently we have about a dozen BC-Verified Trainees that have access to the training material on the Pickleball Canada website. Hopefully, we will be conducting assessments for all of these trainees to potentially become level one referees.
Last month, I said I would have the referee statistics from the recent 55+ Games in Nanaimo. Eighty-eight percent of the pickleball matches were officiated, 657 matches! This was the first time that Pickleball BC got heavily involved in the 55+Games by financially supporting the officiating of the matches. The Games committee also made significant financial support for the officiating. The participants were the beneficiaries of the increased level of officiating and were very appreciative!! Let’s hope we can continue to work together in future years.
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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