OF THE YEAR AWARDS
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The Of the Year Awards are organized by Pickleball Alberta to recognize excellence and contributions to the game of pickleball in Alberta. Each year the award ceremony is held at the host of the Pickleball Alberta Championships which brings together many of the Alberta club representatives and pickleball competitors.
Pickleball Alberta Of the Year Awards
2021 Of the Year Award Winners
Pickleball Alberta Of the Year Awards
The first award ceremony was held in 2021 at the Pickleball Alberta Provincial Championships held in Medicine Hat. The five categories being awarded for the previous year were: Volunteer of the Year, Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, the Junior Player of the Year winning the Logan trophy, and Club of the Year.
The Of the Year awards are intended to show appreciation and recognition for clubs, members, and volunteer accomplishments throughout Alberta. Although recognizing certain individuals for each category, pickleball in Alberta would not be what, or where, it is without the contributions of the hundreds of volunteers, instructors, and players across our province.
Pickleball Alberta Of the Year Awards
The first award ceremony was held in 2022 at the Pickleball Alberta Provincial Championships held in Medicine Hat. The five categories being awarded for the previous year were: Volunteer of the Year, Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, the Junior Player of the Year winning the Logan trophy, and Club of the Year.
The Of the Year awards are intended to show appreciation and recognition for clubs, members, and volunteer accomplishments throughout Alberta. Although recognizing certain individuals for each category, pickleball in Alberta would not be what, or where, it is without the contributions of the hundreds of volunteers, instructors, and players across our province.
Volunteer Of the Year
The power couple of Brenda and Dick Feser of the Red Deer Pickleball Club has made many contributions to different sports over the years and they are recognized for their following volunteer pickleball accomplishments in 2021:
- Co-Chairs of the 2021 Nationals
- Volunteer work on the Red Deer Pickleball Club Board of Directors
- Volunteer work on the Pickleball Alberta Board of Directors
- Volunteer work with junior pickleball
- Volunteer work with membership growth
- Volunteer work with the building of the new 20-court facility
- Volunteer work with obtaining government funding.
The Fesers are an example of tireless work, commitment, passion, sacrifices, and leadership that they have shown to their club, community, province, and country.
Male Player of the Year
Brad Chapman of the Calgary Pickleball Club was awarded for his outstanding accomplishments of:
- Gold 2021 Alberta Provincials Open Mens Doubles
- Gold 2021 Alberta Provincials Open Mixed Doubles
- Silver 2021 Canadian Nationals Open Mens Doubles
- 2021 high standard of play in club tournaments across Alberta.
Brad’s calm, yet steely competitiveness is a shining of example of how you can be both a gentleman on the court and a stone-cold winner at the same time.
Female Player of the Year
Kim Harding Layton of the Calgary Pickleball Club was awarded for her outstanding accomplishments of:
- Gold 2021 Alberta Provincials Open Mixed Doubles
- Gold 2021 Alberta Provincials Open Womens Singles
- 2021 high standard of play in club tournaments across Alberta.
There are few players who train, drill, and study the game like Kim which has translated into her rise to being an elite player in Canada.
Junior Player of the Year – The Logan Award
Ben Gibb of Edmonton was awarded the Logan Award for the 2021 Junior Player Of the Year for his outstanding accomplishments of:
- Gold 2021 Alberta Provincials Junior Mens Doubles
- Gold 2021 Canadian Nationals Junior Mens Doubles
- Bronze 2021 Canadian Nationals 3.0 Mixed Doubles
- 2021 high standard of play and perseverance in play at clubs across Alberta.
Ben is an example of outstanding play, passion, and sportsmanship in the game of pickleball.
Club of the Year
Red Deer Pickleball Club was awarded Club Of the Year for their outstanding accomplishments in:
- Hosting of the 2021 Nationals
- Junior Programs
- Coaching and Development Program
- Mentoring of other clubs regarding the building of facilities.
The Red Deer Pickleball Club, with its over 600 members, has shown leadership and innovation in its club initiatives and building of facilities.
2022 Of the Year Award Winners
Pickleball Alberta Of the Year Awards
The 2022 Of the Year awards were handed out at the 2023 Pickleball Alberta Provincial Championships held in Red Deer. The original five categories were again awarded: Volunteer of the Year, Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, the Junior Player of the Year winning the Logan trophy, and Club of the Year. Four new categories were added for the 2022 Of the Year Awards: Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Queen of Recreation and King of Recreation.
Pickleball Alberta Of the Year Awards
The 2022 Of the Year awards were handed out at the 2023 Pickleball Alberta Provincial Championships held in Red Deer. The original five categories were again awarded: Volunteer of the Year, Male Player of the Year, Female Player of the Year, the Junior Player of the Year winning the Logan trophy, and Club of the Year. Four new categories were added for the 2022 Of the Year Awards: Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Queen of Recreation and King of Recreation.
Volunteer Of the Year
Walt Carlyle, of the Seba Beach Pickleball Club, was awarded the 2022 Volunteer of the Year for his outstanding accomplishments, passion, and commitment to his club, community, and province.
In 2020 Walt Carlyle, a passionate pickleball player for a good portion of his 80 years, approached several like-minded individuals with the idea of forming a pickleball committee for the purpose of constructing and operating a 6 court pickleball venue in Seba Beach. From the beginning Walt was the driving force that created the idea and built the strategy for this much needed recreational facility.
Walt oversaw construction that began in 2022. From that point until construction was finished in the spring of 2023. When construction was halted for the winter months, Walt personally walked door to door and made many phone calls looking for the financial donations we needed to make the project viable. The courts were officially opened on July 1, 2023.
Pickleball Alberta recognizes Walt for his tireless work, commitment, passion, sacrifices, and leadership that he has shown to his club, members, community, and the sport of pickleball.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the second year the Volunteer of the Year was presented.
Male Player of the Year
The Male Player of the Year was awarded to Gary Spencer of the St. Albert Pickleball Club for his outstanding results and accomplishments in:
- All Levels Cash – Parkland – MD Silver
- All Levels Cash – Parkland – MX Gold
- All Levels Cash – Parkland – MS Gold
- Red Deer Open – MD Gold
- Red Deer Open – MS Gold
- Summer Smash – Parkland – MD Gold
- Summer Smash – Parkland – MX Gold
- Summer Smash – Parkland – MS Gold
- SAPC Pickle Party – St. Albert – MX Gold
- Sweet Summer Solstice – Parkland – MD Gold
- Summer Kick Off – St. Albert – MD Silver
- Members Opener – Parkland – MX Gold
- Members Opener – Parkland – MS Gold
- Edmonton Open – MD Gold
- Edmonton Open – MX Gold
- Luck of the Irish – Stony Plain – MX Silver
Gary played in 22 events with an incredible record with 14 different partners. Gary’s passion for competition and the game is virtually unmatched, always saying yes to a tournament locally or provincially.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the second year the Male Player of the Year was presented.
Female Player of the Year
The Female Player of the Year was awarded to the Kim Layton of the Calgary Pickleball Club for her outstanding results and accomplishments in:
- Kamloops Open – WS Gold
- Kamloops Open – WD Gold
- Kamloops Open – MX Gold
- Nationals – Kingston – WD Bronze
- Nationals – Kingston – MX Bronze
- Nationals – Kingston – WD Gold
- Nationals – Kingston – MX Gold
- Provincials – Medicine Hat – WS Gold
- Provincials – Medicine Hat – WD Gold
- Provincials – Medicine Hat – MX Gold
- All Levels Cash – Parkland – WD Gold
- All Levels Cash – Parkland – MX Gold
- The Center Open – EVPC – WD Gold
- The Center Open – EVPC – MX Gold
This is the second year that Kim has won the Female of the Year Award. She continues to take her game to new heights, including playing in the Canadian Professional Pickleball League.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the second year the Female Player of the Year was presented.
Junior Player of the Year – The Logan Award
The Logan Award for the Junior Player of the Year was awarded to Ava Weeks of the St. Albert Pickleball Club for her outstanding accomplishments of:
- 3.0 Womens Doubles – Red Deer Open – 3.0 WD Gold
- Edmonton Open – The Center 3.5 Mixed Doubles –3.5 MX Silver
- Played in tournaments from level 3.0 to 4.0
- High standard of play, sportsmanship, passion, and love for the game.
Ava is an example of outstanding play, passion, and sportsmanship in the game of pickleball.
– The Logan Award –
In 2021, Logan Cassidy of Edmonton, at the age of 16 tragically passed away. Logan was a passionate pickleball player who loved to play anywhere there was a court, with anyone who wanted a game, until the sun went down, or the lights were turned off. A fierce competitor who podiumed many times, claiming many gold medals with junior partners Michael Jensen and Brady Hurshowy.
Each year the Junior Player of the Year will receive the Logan Award. It is awarded to the Junior player that epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, sportsmanship, and a love of the game.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the second year the Junior Player of the Year was presented.
Club of the Year
The Club of the Year was awarded to the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club for their outstanding accomplishments in:
- Construction of a facility with 20 national class courts
- Junior Program
- Coaching and Development Programs
- Hosting of the 2022 Pickleball Alberta Provincials
The Medicine Hat Pickleball Club, with its over 400 members, has shown leadership and innovation in its club initiatives and building of facilities.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the second year the Club of the Year was presented.
Coach of the Year
The Coach of the Year was awarded to Mike Cooper for his outstanding passion, commitment to clubs, the province, and across Canada.
Mike as an IPTPA Master Teaching Professional, has travelled the province performing coaching clinics for players, as well putting on programs for certifying coaches through the IPTPA coaching program.
Mike was introduced to pickleball in 2010 and has won at the highest levels north and south of the border. As a retired educator, Mike has translated those skills to his pickleball coaching. In 2014 Mike was the Pickleball Canada Director of Player Development, and in 2016 moved to the Pickleball Alberta Director of Player Development.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the inaugural year for Coach of the Year.
Official of the Year
The Official of the Year was awarded to both Julie and Brian Sribney of the Parkland Pickleheads for their outstanding passion, commitment to their club, province and across Canada.
Through Pickleball Alberta, Julie and Brian have held officiating training sessions through all parts of the province as well as across Canada to train new officials and level up many others. They are recognized as leaders in the field with their training program. Both have been Certified Level 3 referees since 2019.
Julie and Brian are one of the main reasons Alberta has one of the strongest referee programs in the country.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the inaugural year for Official of the Year.
The Queen of Recreation
The Queen of Recreation was awarded to Saiad Shirabad of the Calgary Pickleball Club. This award recognizes individuals who eat, sleep, and breath recreational pickleball. They are at the courts organizing, including, and making sure everyone is having fun.
Farnoush is an advocate for pickleball and built a huge following at the Brentwood Courts in Calgary where she is the lead coordinator for the summer program and hosts many sessions herself. She maintains a great Facebook page with all the latest happenings, play, lessons, social events, and any changes or weather interruptions. She posts daily activities such as the Mumba Mondays. She monitors sessions and uses initiative in changing things up to keep everything interesting. She is the first to step up when any showcase events are needed such as Alberta Pickleball Day.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the inaugural year for Queen of Recreation.
The King of Recreation
The King of Recreation was awarded to Merv Armstrong of the Red Deer Pickleball Club. This award recognizes individuals who eat, sleep, and breathe recreational pickleball. They are at the courts organizing, including, and making sure everyone is having fun.
Merv joined the Red Deer Pickleball Club in 2015 and has been very active within the club volunteering and playing in tournaments. His volunteer time greatly increased in 2019 with his role as the 2.5 – 3.0 Round Robin Captain. Merv created a large group of dedicated recreational pickleball players within RDPC every morning, Monday to Friday, with a large gathering of players that would join in for lots of play, laughs and fellowship. Merv ran a tight ship for people to arrive and sign up and play with guidelines that kept it fun, fair, and inclusive for all.
Pickleball Alberta started the Of the Year award program in 2021, with 2022 being the inaugural year for King of Recreation.
