Trophy Wall & Photos
Trophy Wall & Photos
2026 Virtual Trophy Wall Introduction
For consideration (with your permission provided), please send photos, or YouTube video links, with required information (such as tournament name, club affiliation, dates, and location) to Marcom@PickleballBC.ca.
Once we have verified your content, we will post on this page. Alternately, as in the BC Western Regionals, we will post our own photos (with granted permission and attribution accordingly).
North Shore Pickleball Club’s Vyna Kerrey Wins Community Sport Volunteer Award
According to Estha Parg Murenbeeld, President of NSPC: “Vyna’s extensive hosting has made her the face of pickleball on the North Shore to hundreds of players. Her welcoming work of volunteerism over thousands of hours has promoted the inclusive, friendly culture of the sport and grown the pickleball community significantly as she hosted at several venues, both indoor and outdoor, all year long.
She knows everyone’s name and their stories. She matches people up for games and has done much to grow players’ confidence and the sport’s culture of inclusivity and friendliness.” Read more of her nomination here.
Steve Deakin Wins Gold In PPA Atlanta
As Steve stated: “I had a great time in Atlanta as usual. Altaf and I remain in the top spot. Julie and I had a tougher day at the office in a big draw and quite frankly we were outplayed. We’ll get them next time!”
Mackonner Dy and Armaan Jiwa Mawji Reached Round of 16 at PPA Tour Texas Open
Unfortunately they faced and lost to highly ranked players—Christian Alshon is ranked 2nd in the world. However, with that valuable learning experience under their belts, they will return smarter and stronger.
Watch Mackonner and Armaan play for the Vancouver Owls in their upcoming CNPL season.
Steve Deakin Victorious Twice At The 2026 PPA Tour Texas Open
Per Steve Deakin: “Success again with my usual crew in Texas. Saying goodbye to the Texas wind that wreaked havoc with the wiffle ball and getting busy at the home office.”
In case you missed it, The Nest/Steve Deakin Pickleball will be hosting the 2026 BC Provincial Pickleball Championships on July 22nd – 26th, which full story is here.
Pickleball BC Association’s (“PBCA”) President David Snell Receives Sport BC Presidents’ Award
Sport BC Congratulates the Finalists and Winners Announced at the 58th Athlete of the Year Awards.
Sport BC celebrated the 58th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The event was hosted by CBC’s Scott Russell, recognizing the province’s best in amateur sport including athletes, coaches, teams, and officials for outstanding performances in their 2025 sport season.
“The 58th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards celebrated sport in BC at all levels. We were inspired by the sport stories of all our finalists, winners, and the organizations they represent”, shared Sport BC’s President and CEO, Rob Newman. “We are proud to bring the amateur sport community together and thank our guests, sponsors, and friends in sport. I would like to personally thank the Province of B.C. and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for being the lead supporter of the event.”
The full Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards PROGRAM with finalist bios is available here.
(the dink. AWARDS) WINNER: Senior Men’s Player of The Year—STEVE DEAKIN
@ppatour @lv.nightowls @pickleballdepotca @thenest.sports”, according to Steve Deakin, February 3rd 2026.
Friendly reminder … November 15, 2025, Vancouver, BC–PBC has awarded the 2026 BC Pickleball Championships to The Nest/Steve Deakin Pickleball (“SDP”) where the event will run from Wednesday July 22nd to Sunday July 26th 2026 in the new facility adjacent to Tsawwassen Mills Shopping Centre, Tsawwassen, BC. The Nest in collaboration with BC’s winning professional MLP Las Vegas Night Owls coach and PPA Tour competitor Steve Deakin Pickleball (SDP) will open Spring 2026 with its 98,000-square-foot space and will be the largest indoor pickleball center and sports facility in British Columbia. Full news here.
Canadian National Pickleball League Drafts Four BC Players
Armaan, Mackonner, and Michael were members of Team BC who competed in the inaugural Provincial Team Competition at the 2025 Nationals and captured the Provincial Gold Medal. Also, Michael was a member of the Canadian National Team at the 2025 Pickleball World Cup.
Founded in 2023, the CNPL is comprised of 7 teams: Detroit-Windsor Drive, London Smash Pickleball Club, Montreal Lions, Northern Lights Ontario Pickleball, Toronto United Pickleball Club, Vancouver OWLS, and York Yeti.
There will be an upcoming Western Split for an opportunity to watch them live. Visit the CNPL website for an upcoming schedule, which starts in May. Good luck, gentlemen.
Team Canada: 2025 Pickleball World Cup – Opening Ceremonies
Team BC Wins Gold At The 2025 National Championships
After all the matches were settled, Team BC was victorious on points taking home the Gold, and Silver went to Ontario with host Manitoba winning Bronze.
The BC Team roster can be seen in a document here and on this YouTube video. They were chosen by our PBC Tournament Committee amongst the 47 4.0+ CTPR BC players who applied, with the “Open” and “Masters” Divisions’ Captains, and Singles-, Mixed and Gender based Teams in each Division.
Congratulations to our BC Provincial Team players.
At KitsFest, Pickleball BC’s (“PBC”) Treasurer Suzi Inkman Wins Silver and Gold
The event drew 260 players in 19 divisions across 18 courts and over 2 days.
On the podium: Gold, Shannon Webster & Julie Rogers; Silver, Suzi Inkman (in pink) & April Graham; Bronze, Patricia Parisotto & Trish Nicholson.
Mixed Doubles Skill: (3.5) Age: (50 And Above)
On the podium: Gold, Suzi Inkman & Dave Pinton; Silver: Tami Langford & Joe Mcfadden; Bronze: Alison Armstrong & John Bulick.
(Click photos to enlarge.)
BC Provincial Championships Winners, 5.0 and Above
Barry Petrachenko, Executive Director, Pickleball Canada with the podium winners: Gold, Armaan Jiwa Mawj; Silver, Mackonner Dy; and Bronze, Tommy McLeod.
Mens Doubles Skill: (5.0 And Above) Age: (13 And Above) by Chartwell Retirement
On the podium: Gold, Robin D’Abreo & Armaan Jiwa Mawj; Silver: Jeremy Comazzetto & Christopher Ross; and Bronze: Sunny Buttar & Jordan Renwick. (Click photos to enlarge.)
On the podium: Gold, Dana D’Abreo & Robin D’Abreo (PBCA Executive, Coaching and Player Development); Silver, Bob McIntosh & Wendy Sofiak; and Bronze, Ryan Fenrick & Michelle Davey.
Mixed Doubles Skill: (5.0 And Above), Age: (13 To 49) by Okaped Inc.
PBCA President David Snell awarding the gold medal to Maggie Murch. On the podium: Gold, Armaan Jiwa Mawji & Maggie Murch; Silver, Eugene Mak & Isabelle Tang; and Bronze, Caelan Sampson & Margit Aardmaa.
Armaan won the Triple Crown with this bracket; (top) Singles, 5.0 and above, age 13 and above; and (top) Mens Doubles, 5.0 and above, age 13 and above with Robin D’Abreo. (Click photos to enlarge.)
At the PPA Orange County Cup, San Clemente, CA, June 16 – 22, 2025, Steve won gold in both men’s and mixed on the Humana PPA Senior Tour. Men’s partner was with Altaf Merchant and mixed with Julie Johnson. Those combination of talents are proven, resilient, and victorious.
Steve is in his second year of coaching the MLP’s Las Vegas Night Owls, which was “founded in 2022 and backed by sports legends like Tom Brady and Kim Clijsters”. In Grand Rapids, MI on July 11, 2025, the Night Owls defeated the Nashville Chefs to lift the mid-season Challenger trophy.
Steve adds: “I couldn’t be more fortunate to be coaching some of the best players in the world while still competing against the best senior players in the world. I absolutely love my job.”
“Another cherry on the Atlanta cake!”, said Steve.
The homeschooled, Richmond-resident Mackonner started playing pickleball in August of 2020, where he also enjoys other sports such as basketball, skiing, and table tennis. Outside of his dad providing him with tips and having a training partner, he’s never had formal pickleball coaching. Other American and Canadian tournaments he’s participated in have been a part of his pickleball learning journey—which there are more upcoming tournaments planned.
A quote Mackonner likes to share is by author, poet Melody Godfred: “I finally found my rhythm when I realized that even the steps backwards were part of the dance.”
Lastly, he adds: “It is my desire that more young people engage in the sport of Pickleball.”
Well wishes in all your on- and off-court aspirations, Mackonner.
Click on photos to enlarge.
On April 2, 2025 at the Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) draft, Armaan was the first player picked in the third round, which he was drafted by the Vancouver Rush. The draft had a total of eight teams over six rounds and he was tenth overall out of 40 players.
Armaan explains: “I’ve been playing tennis since age 5, where I had trained with Tennis Canada as a top BC Junior, and I played in numerous tournaments including ITF.
When I’m not playing, I attend SFU Beedie School of Business and work at Hollyburn Country Club as a tennis hitting pro.
I made the transition to pickleball because I saw more of a future in the sport. Then I started training seriously about a year ago with the goal of becoming a full-time professional player, and since then I have won numerous Summer tournaments, including cash tournaments in the US.”
Currently a 5.5 DUPR with wins over 6.0+ teams, Armaan is on the road to 6.0 DUPR, where his goal is to also sign with APP or PPA, and to represent Canada in the Olympics. His motto is: “Fight for every point, no matter the score.”
You can follow his progress on Instagram. Good luck Armaan.
This time, last December 6th 2024 at the CIBC PPA Tour Finals in San Clemente, California, in the Men’s Singles 4.5, ages 8 – 34, Mario won a Bronze medal.
Mario, who is affiliated with the Vancouver Pickleball Association, said: “I had an amazing experience playing with high-level players in the United States and watching all the pros playing in the same venue.”
Let’s see where Mario’s pickleball adventures take him next.
The Masters were held on January 6 – 12, 2025, Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage, California.
Steve comments: “Wasn’t feeling the greatest this weekend so I really relied on my partners. I love the Masters. Love the all white threads, and can’t beat the sunshine.”
Steve is also the head coach of Major League Pickleball‘s Las Vegas Night Owls.
Steve adds: “As 2024 wraps up, it was my best year yet… I’m s
till playing main draw PPA with the world’s best, added exciting new sponsorships, 57-0 undefeated season in first year of senior, and appointed head coach of Major League Pickleball‘s Las Vegas Night Owls.”The Huntsman World Senior Games is a showcase of sports enthusiasts across many sports. This event is free of charge to everyone including athletes, volunteers and community members. The World Senior Championships is the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes ages 50 and better. Every October more than 11,500 athletes compete in their choice of more than 30 different sports.
New this year, each night of the festival spotlighted different sports, celebrating the athletes and their accomplishments along with the teams and competitors who make the Games so special.
A few of our BC Seniors participated in the pickleball event and were awarded medals for their play. BC’s Robert Fish won Bronze 70+ 4.0 (in Blue Shirt) and Heather Hood, who co-chairs the PickleBall BC youth program and our PBC Regional Representative to PCO, with the Canadian flag won 2 bronze medals with her partners.
The Friendship Festival took place on the Dixie Convention Center grounds.
For a full line up of entertainment and activities from this year’s games (2024), visit: Huntsman World Senior Games | Friendship Festival: Sport Nights
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Jeanine McDonald (in wheelchair) and Randy Cosman won bronze at the Pocomo Pickleball Club Tournament in Mixed Doubles 2.75/Open bracket, 22 September 2024.
Usually one only reads, or hears, about pickleball wheelchair participants; it’s rare to see one in action and let alone in a tournament.
Prior to each match, special rules regarding a wheelchair participant were reviewed. For example, if the opponent hits the wheelchair with the ball—the ball is considered out of bounds.
Every opponent exercised fair play during the matches, and Jeanine held her own. Both were satisfied with their accomplishment.
Regardless of one’s disposition, pickleball always promotes DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
And the Trophy winners are: (Left to right)
Gold Vanessa Williams & Eshan Zaman
Silver Bobby Stewart & Susan Seeman
Bronze Randy Cosman & Jeanne McDonald
2024 Western Regionals Medalists
On the men’s side, here are the 5.0 men’s doubles medalists as listed on Brackets:
Robin D’Abreo is a Board Member with Pickleball BC. He is also the Athletic Director at UBC.
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Pickleball BC Board Member wins Gold
Another BC Player and Member of the Board of Directors picked up a gold medal in the 3.5 mixed doubles in the Western Regionals in Vernon. Dave Eaton and his partner (whom he had never met before) endured full set matches to their gold medal victory. Dave got his first gold medal from a regional and is in the 70+ age category. Well done Dave. |
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A young “Newcomer” to the sport; having been playing for only a year or two, has done very well in major events such as the Victoria open and the Tournament in Vernon is a gentleman named Mario Banderia. Mario has picked up a men’s singles gold medal in the Victoria 4.5 men’s event, and a Silver the same event in Vernon. The pictures are of his Siver medal at the Halifax Nationals His home club is POCoMo and he plays at several venues in the Coquitlam area.
 Mario – Silver at Haliax National Finals
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 Mario receiving Silver at Halifax Nationals
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INFOnews January 30, 2024: Kamloops is home to Canada’s best female pickleball player and she’s been selected to play in Australia’s pro pickleball league. Casey Rodgers, 32, is an insurance broker, but her prowess on the pickleball court is sending her to compete in the first professional pickleball season in Australia as the Western Vipers’ first round pick.
Rodgers is ranked first in the country because of her performance in the Canadian National Pickleball League. “I’m thrilled to be part of a different league and travel and play. I’m super excited and proud of the work that I’ve put in,” Rodgers said. She’s been playing for about seven years and got into the more competitive side of the sport two years ago. She says she loves to see how the sport is growing.
“There’s more and more people who are getting into the sport and bringing more money into it. It’s definitely getting more competitive. The states have blown up with pro pickleball and we are following suit here in Canada we’re just a bit behind. It’s all over the rest of the world too,” she said. The Australian league was created by Pacific Pickleball. Teams will be competing for a slice of the $700,000 prize pool which is split across Pacific Pickleball’s six competitions.
The pickleball community in Kamloops has helped Rodgers get into playing professionally. “I would say a big thank you for the support I’ve had along the way,” she said. Currently there are no dedicated indoor pickleball courts in Kamloops so she has been travelling to Vernon to practice. “It would be great to have an indoor facility here in Kamloops, eventually somewhere down the line,” she said. “Hopefully we get some nice indoor courts to play on, we have beautiful outdoor courts.”
BC’s Own Achieve 5.0 Silver in the US Nationals
MLP 2023 Challenger Event Atlanta
In Memory Of
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the VRPA Board.
Connie McCann
President VRPA
GOLDEN TICKET Win at APP Daytona Beach
Sport BC Athletes of the Year and President’s Awards
Sport BC congratulated all the Athlete of the Year Awards’ Recipients and the President’s Awards which included PIckleball BC’s President Walter Knecht. Walter stated “I was honoured to receive one of Sport BC’s President’s Awards March 9, 2023 [recipients outlined in attached PDF] held in conjunction with their 55th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards Ceremony. I was nominated by my peers in recognition of my efforts to promote and organize pickleball here in B.C. and at the National level as well. I was one of 55 recipients this year.” The President’s Awards Ceremony took place in the hour preceding the Sport BC Athlete of the Year Ceremony.
The Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports gave the opening address (PDF attached). Blair Lowther Sport BC Chair, welcomed everyone to the ceremony.
Please Note …
We are unable to accept individual images other than the pics of “major” Tournament medal winners as described above – just links to services such as Club websites, Google Photos, Instagram, Dropbox, Shutterfly, etc.
Please ensure you have permission from everyone shown in the images to post them publicly. The links will be removed periodically to allow for more current images.
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September 2022
October 2022 August 2022 July 2019 May 2019 |
Hollyburn Country Club Annual, West Vancouver
Whistler Racquet Club Fall Extravaganza 2022 Canadian National Super Seniors, Surrey 2019 Kelowna Open 2019 GO Fest Mixed Doubles, Whistler |
