ViaSport Founded and Supported by the Province of British Columbia
(picture courtesy of ViaSport)
The Kitchen Sink, September Edition
Welcome to the September edition of our Kitchen Sink Newsletter. As we started the month of September celebrating Labour Day and the end of summer (although with the decent weather we have been enjoying you may not agree), we now have a significant announcement to make concerning Pickleball BC Association (“PBCA”), our viaSport grant approval and our BC pickleball Affiliate Club partners and stakeholders in our new PBCA BC youth programs initiative.
Please see our “From our Clubs” story below which details this exciting news and provides more details about what our “Activating Youth Pickleball K – 7” project is all about and what the results will be this year (and beyond) that will benefit BC youth pickleball especially in under resourced schools and under-represented populations.
Enjoy all the new news and updates in our September Kitchen Sink Newsletter!
David Snell
President Pickleball BC
President@PickleballBC.ca |
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President’s Report
In this Kitchen Sink Edition I wanted to highlight:
- PBC’s 2025 Tournament Committee update on our request for expressions of interest to host next year’s Provincials and our recent 55+ Games summary in Kitchen Corners
- The announcement of our new Board Member and Registrar Blair Morton (Registrar@PickleballBC.ca) who’s background and experience is perfectly matched to his new position as our PBCA Registrar as follows: worked as Registrar for Pickleball Alberta from 2019 to 2021; retired in 2017 and took up pickleball as his main pastime; when acting as Pickleball Alberta Registrar, he worked closely with Trackie in debugging PCNS; gained lots of experience during his working career with computers and support of databases; from 2023 to current, he took on the role of registrar for West Kelowna Pickleball Club
- Rod Williams our past Registrar who has done a fantastic job over the years in this position, will focus on the VicePresident@PickleballBC.ca remit
- Highlighting in further detail our PBCA Affiliated Club partners who are involved in our viaSport youth programs grant project in the below From Our Clubs segment
- Update on the Brackets/DUPR partnership and resulting changes made to Canadian tournament ratings also summarized in Kitchen Corners here
- Inform our PBC members in our Kitchen Corners section highlighting our PBCA Board Members reports regarding recent news and events.
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.
With our significant youth programs viaSport grant announcement and other news, this Newsletter contains plenty of new news which I hope you will 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:
viaSport/PBCA “Activating Youth Pickleball K – 7 in Under Resourced Schools” Grant Announcement—Three Affiliated BC Clubs, PBCA and EVES Combine Efforts
As reported in our June 2024 Kitchen Sink Newsletter, we were introduced to the EVES (East Vancouver Elementary Schools) project that was initiated in the summer of 2022 and sponsored by the Vancouver Pickleball Association (“VPA”). We also attended the youth pickleball 2024 “Slamboree” as witnessed above. This youth program project led by Sharon Hoy, Andre Plourde and Greg Feehan which continues to expand in Vancouver today, is all about embedding the remarkable sport of pickleball within the fabric of a school – planting and nurturing pickleball in Elementary school settings is the goal.
EVES is a collaboration of the Vancouver Pickleball Association, Vancouver School Board, now thanks to our viaSport grant Pickleball BC Association (“PBCA”), 3 Affiliated BC Clubs, and teachers and school communities. The EVES belief is that children and youth of all abilities are more likely to be inspired to play pickleball if their school encourages, embraces and celebrates pickleball. Positive and supportive school environments enable young people to experience the joy of pickleball through the concept of a “Pickleball School”.
A Pickleball School provides pickleball through the physical education curriculum, intramurals, noontime and after-school casual play, inter-school competition, and family pickleball with brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents. Currently twenty-three (23) Vancouver schools, 103 teachers and 1,558 students have participated in EVES activities since the Fall of 2022.
Many of our BC Clubs, coaches, communities and Associations have undertaken and been very successful at providing youth pickleball programs, but we felt that the VPA EVES K – 7 approach with their particular curriculum and teaching method in under resourced schools was unique and fit the viaSport criteria for their grant program—this encouraged us to apply using the EVES methodology as the backbone of our project going forward, should we be successful in a grant award.
PBCA’s viaSport $30,000 Grant “Activating Youth Pickleball K – 7 in Under Resourced Schools”
In June 2024 viaSport announced a grant proposal of up to $30,000 per qualifying BC Provincial Sport Organization under a BC Sport Participation Program called the “Provincial Sport Development Fund”. The BCSPP supports programs that attract children, youth, Indigenous and under-represented populations to lead active and healthy lifestyles through involvement in sport while also helping to support communities delivering physical activity programming throughout the province. Programs taking place between July 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 were eligible to apply. PBCA felt that we qualified, applied and now we are pleased to report that we have been awarded the full amount of the requested grant.
Sounds easy—not! Together with our EVES partners, the Vancouver Pickleball Association led by Janet Martini President, the Global Pickleball Federation with Tony Casey Board Director and our PBCA Youth Programs Committee led by our Co-Chairs Heather Hood and Sharon MacDonald, we put together a viaSport grant application project team. First task was to establish three BC Regions supported by one of our PBCA Affiliate Clubs in each of these Regions, in order to undertake an expanded EVES program in each Region but being careful not over-extend ourselves (funds and manpower).
VPA, Janet Martini President, was the first to step up as Region 1 Vancouver and contribute not only to overall project coordination and manpower (given their EVES experience and knowledge), but also to invest in the project. Next was Region 2 Vancouver Island with Victoria Regional Pickleball Association Connie McCann President who stepped up with both project manpower but also an investment. Then on behalf of Thompson Okanagan Region 3, Vernon Pickleball Club Youth Committee under Rick Klein committed. Our 3 Regions and club representation was formed!
The budget that we proposed included: investments from PBCA and our partners; equipment (paddles, nets and balls) for 3 Regions; programming oversight and Regional coordination; monthly “Learn and Play” sessions; NCCP training for coaches; school planning guide, tool sets and curriculum documentation. The objective is to have a youth programs K – 7 resource package posted on our PBCA website for all clubs to utilize by mid 2025.
So now that we have been awarded the funds, what is the plan for phase two of this project? With one project meeting under our belt, having lined up some sponsors and project principals, here is the summary of some of our major goals:
- Now that schools are back in session, help kick off the project in each of the 3 Regions, supported by PBCA, the EVES experts and our Regional Affiliated Clubs mentioned above
- In order to “Activate Youth Pickleball K – 7” (pickleball for schools, in schools, by schools) provide equipment, coaches, curriculum for youth pickleball programming K-7, and pickleball club support in our 3 Regions
- Ensure pickleball thrives and is sustainable—embedded within schools’ curriculum, woven into the fabric of a school-as-a-community, powered by schools with community sport support
- Effect school educators’ collaboration with sport leaders in their communities
- Build a prototype for developing physical literacy and nurturing social interaction for elementary school students of all abilities and ages
- Cornerstone for advancing pickleball and creating opportunities for the greatest number of children and young people
- Continue the support of a sport that is wonderfully and incomparably… fun!
We welcome any questions or comments to President@PickleballBC.ca on this significant new PBCA initiative made possible by viaSport British Columbia! Updates will follow so stay tuned!
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Kitchen Corners: By The Numbers
September Membership Report
There are currently over 19,100 active members in Pickleball BC. This number is 3,700 more than at this point last year and still growing steadily. Membership renewals and applications slowed down a bit in August due to the change in rollover date moving to September 1 this year, and you should be aware that as of September 1 every membership application automatically receives Pickleball Canada and PBC membership until the end of 2025, so registration activity should be picking up from now on. Don’t forget that if you join your club and PCO/PBC prior to January 1, 2025 you will save a couple of bucks on your registration as PBC dues go up in January to $7.50 per year.
Again this year, several clubs have again attained record numbers of membership applications this year but the downside of that is that several clubs have had to introduce Waiting Lists for new members. In some cases the Waiting list is 30% or more of the size of the Active Membership list. These clubs would readily accept these people into the fold if they could provide adequate court space and time for them to play. It’s time to let your municipalities know that we need access to more courts.
On December 1 Pickleball Canada will be emailing you a renewal link for 2025 membership. Your club may not be ready for registration at that time, and in some cases may have opened up 2025 registration prior to that date. If you do receive the PCO email please keep it handy and renew with your club directly from the invite as it contains a direct link to your own recorded personal registration information or failing that, log in and renew from your profile in PCO here.
If you are having difficulties registering or finding correct information regarding your personal profile, Pickleball Canada has created a Knowledge Base that you can access here, where you can research the tasks and processes involved in managing your profile with PCO.
Blair Morton
PBC Registrar
Registrar@PickleballBC.ca
Thinking of joining – follow the link!
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Kitchen Corners: Head Referee Corners
Refereeing At The Canada National Championship
The Myoflex Pickleball Canada National Championship was held in Halifax, Nova Scotia from August 20 to 24. There were 2,823 matches played during the 5 days of competition, and every match was officiated by a Canadian accredited referee. Forty courts were used: 18 indoor and 22 outdoor. With the exception of the first day, the weather was great. It rained on the opening morning, which resulted in the postponement of the first four hours of outdoor play. The local committee did a good job of rescheduling the postponed matches later in the day, and all competitors eventually played all of their games.
British Columbia had 12 referees make the trek to Halifax to officiate… one level two official and 11 certified referees. Al Thomson from Victoria was the Head Referee for the event. Barb Dueck conducted a successful referee evaluation of an Ontario official… Canada’s newest CR. Dianne Hill and myself conducted a L1 to L2 assessment for a local Halifax official who were also successful, and rewarded for his hard work and dedication.
The competition days were very long for the referees. We were at the facility by 7:30 AM for an official’s meeting, and most officials did not leave until 7 PM or 8 PM. On Friday evening, we did not leave the courts until the final games were completed after 11 PM. Needless to say, the officials were exhausted when the event came to a conclusion on Saturday night. Many of the competitors went out of their way to complement the overall officiating at the National event.
For your information, the most faults that I called on the competitors over the course of the 5 days was Non Volley Zone (kitchen) foot faults. Others were service foot faults, illegal service motions, carrying (carry ball on paddle), verbal warnings (usually for unsportsmanlike language), and one for breaking the plane of the net.
I congratulate Pickleball Canada and the local Halifax committee for staging a successful event. I also congratulate the competitors for their high level of play and their sportsmanship. Also, well done referees!!! The officiating programs in Canada and BC are making positive strides going forward!
Rick Folk
Head Referee
HeadReferee@PickleballBC.ca
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Kitchen Corners: Tournaments Corners
Tournaments, Pickleball BC
First up—the 55+ Games, Salmon Arm, September 10 thru 14: Four days of competition for 367 registrants were planned. Unfortunately the first day of competition (Wednesday), ladies doubles, had to be cancelled in its entirety due to rain, sprinkles and rain! Thursday, mixed doubles, was a busy day with competitions running ‘late’ as the day progressed. Friday (men’s doubles) and Saturday (singles) proceeded without major hitches. Kudos to Kathy Neilson, Salmon Arm Pickleball Club, as the Pickleball Sport Chair, Carly Penfold, Kelowna, as the ‘registrar’ and game management master and Sharon MacDonald, Quesnel, Certified Referee for all volunteering significant time and expertise. For those that say ‘I am not good enough’—they offered a pickleball 2.5 category. For those that think they are too old—I had a chance meeting with a young lady (name withheld) competing in swimming events. Her parting words to me ‘Oh by the way you know I am over 100 now’.
Second up—PBC Provincials 2025: A host or site for this event has not yet been identified. I have had a conversation with a few locations/people but an assignment has not been made so far. If you think your Club or City should or could host—contact me. Our target is late May or nearly any time in June 2025.
Last news—CTPR/Brackets/DUPR: (Recently Pickleball Canada provided the following info which I will summarize here)
This applies to any/ALL tournaments and tournament players—exact date I do not know but there is a July 1, 2024 mention.
To/for tournament directors: Pickleball Brackets is now set to automatically take all tournament results into the DUPR world. CTPR calculations will still take place. For PCO sanctioned tournaments the tournament director may choose to shut this auto feature off. This shut off option is NOT available for NON sanctioned events (CTPR calculations do NOT include non-sanctioned event play).
All players with a Pickleball Bracket profile will see a ‘please sign up / create a DUPR account’ etc. You may as well do it now.
FYI—CTPR = Canada Tournament Player Ratings—made in Canada for Canadians only.
And DUPR—Dynamic Universal Player Rating – an independent but widely used rating platform.
I think there is a tacitly hidden message in all this.
Hopefully more information on all the above—next time!
Walter Knecht
PBCA Tournaments
Tournaments@PickleballBC.ca
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Kitchen Corners: MarCom Corners
Marketing Communications Report
During the month of August, we changed a few navigation links on the website. As a result, a few links from the previously published newsletters are broken. We hope to correct this in the coming days. However, going forward, rest assured that upcoming newsletters—such as this issue—should contain updated and correct links.
We hope the new page with board member information is more informative and easier to read. Over the next year we hope to make significant improvements to our website in order to modernize it and address any navigation shortcomings.
This month we are short of stories from our clubs, and I would ask each club to consider forwarding stories about their activities, events, facilities, or club origins that would be of interest to our members. Please forward any materials that you would like us to consider to Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
John Davis
Marketing Communications
MARCOM@PickleballBC.ca
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Kitchen Corners: Tournaments Corners
BC 55+ Games
The Games just completing in Salmon Arm as this goes to press may say ‘55+’ but let that not stop the Brown family.
Thursday September 12, Mom & Dad played Mixed Doubles, their daughter watched and two 14-year old grandkids ‘worked’ the event!
Truly an event for the whole family and all ages.
In Tennille’s words:
Has been busy with the seniors’ games! From left to right in the picture we have… Keith Brown, Aurealia Beaumont, Ètoile Brown, Linda Brown, and Tennille Beaumont.
My parents are called Nana and Papa by their grandkids.
They got my husband and I started in pickleball. We both now play competitively and often.
They have given us all pickleball paddles. My daughter Aurealia and niece Étoile play pickleball in gym class with their own paddles! They have helped get paddles donated to schools and given instruction to the kids.
My parents just won bronze in 3.5 – 75 plus in seniors games. My dad is 81 and my mom 77. They helped to get pickleball started in Salmon Arm many years ago. I am very proud of them… can you tell!!!
Tennille
My thanks to Tennille and the whole family for being such strong pickleball supporters. Walter
Walter Knecht
Tournaments, Pickleball BC
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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, putting out 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
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