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What's Happening in Pickleball in Alberta?
Click on an edition of Around The Post below to learn more!
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December 2024
Congratulations to Benjamin Lim and Jacob Bolkowy for winning silver!
Benjamin and Jacob from the St. Albert Pickleball Club won silver in the 15-16 year-old Men’s Doubles at the USA Nationals!
- The Junior HOTSHOTS program is launching for 2025.
- The Government of Alberta has resources to help in clubs development.
- Nominations are now open for the “Of The Year” Awards! Help us celebrate the outstanding individuals who are driving the growth of our sport.
- 2025 Provincials are coming. Bidding open for hosting this wonderful event.
November 2024
Successful 2024 Club Development Seminar!
The 2024 Club Development Seminar was a resounding success and was recorded for your convenience
- Pickleball Alberta Membership has reached 10,000 members.
- Welcome to all new members across the province.
- It’s renewal time.
- The Legacy Project , Celebrating our Past.
- Of the Year Awards – Calling for Award Nominations.
- Policies & Procedures / Strategic Plan
October 2024
Junior Jamborees were a huge success!
Everyone attending the Junior Jamborees held in both the North and South were enjoyed by everyone who participated.
- Gratitude & Honor for outgoing Board Directors.
- Club Development Workshop, Save the Date.
- Pickleball Alberta 2024/2025 Board of Directors.
- Bylaw review process upcoming (participants welcome).
September 2024
National Pickleball Day
Vice President and junior leader of the Grande Prairie Pickleball Club.
- National Pickleball Day in Alberta was a smashing success: Carstairs, Edmonton, St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan and Calgary all participated.
- Many passionate and skilled young players participated in the Edmonton Junior Jamboree.
- Alberta has close to 10,000 registered members who enjoy a variety of pickleball activities.
- Updates on the CNPL and Nationals upcoming in the next issue.
August 2024
FAC: Jill Groves
Jill assumed the role of President of Pickleball Alberta in November 2023.
- Junior HOTSHOTS welcomed over 200 participants
- Pickleball Alberta has 9,500 participants from 37 clubs
- Pickleball Alberta Day is Saturday August 10th
- 2023 Of the Year Award winners
- Provincials had over 600 participants who demonstrated incredible pickleball skills – Pickleball is alive and well in Alberta.
December 2023
Year in Review
Pickleball Alberta looks back at the events, and story lines that shaped our year.
- Month-by-month graphical presentation of the Year in Review.
- Pickleball Alberta ends year with 10,421 members, an 18% increase.
- Total clubs affiliating with Pickleball Alberta grows to 40 clubs.
- Year End Listing of all Alberta Referees and their levels.
- Year End Listing of Alberta NCCP Coaches and their levels.
- Season End Power Rankings listings for all age divisions.
October 2023
FAC: Rhonda Kozuska
Rhonda is the 10,000th member of Pickleball Alberta and a member of the St.Albert Pickleball Club.
- Pickleball Alberta AGM – Annual General Meeting this Sunday, November 19th, 2023 at 1:00 PM MST in Red Deer at the Holiday Inn & Suites, Promenade Room.
- History of Pickleball Alberta – The Path from 138 to 10,000
- Total annual fee of $15.00 for Pickleball Alberta set October 1.
- Meet the 2023-2025 Board of Director Candidates.
- Founders and Builders of Pickleball Alberta
- Growth of pickleball throughout the province
September 2023
FAC: Kirk Jensen
Kirk is the second President of Pickleball Alberta (2020-2023), 10th President of Pickleball Canada (2021), builder at the provincial and national levels.
- Pickleball Alberta AGM – Annual General Meeting Sunday, November 19th, 2023
- Five Pickleball Alberta Directors completing terms and stepping down.
- NCCP Level 1 and Level 2 Coaching Clinics announced for end of November.
- CNPL completes Western Swing through Edmonton.
- Pickleball Alberta sends out hiring post for Executive Director position.
- Power Rankings for Junior divisions are up and there are some new names on the list!
- Edmonton and area gets another first class indoor dedicated pickleball facility!
- Pickleball in Alberta is in the news with interviews from from north to south!
August 2023
FAC: Walter Carlyle
Walter is the 2022 Volunteer of the Year and one of the builders of pickleball in Alberta.
- Pickleball Alberta welcomes The Calgary Pickleball Center as an Associate Club of Pickleball Alberta!
- Proposed Annual Provincial Fee of $20.00 for approval to set the future trajectory for Pickleball Alberta.
- Provincials and Nationals with wrap up along with club and provincial statistics.
- Of the Year Award winners for 2022 announced.
- Three major tournaments in August have 100% matches refereed!
- Power Rankings for Mens and Womens Open division!
- Juniors have incredible showing at Provincial Championship!
- Special Olympics program wraps up at the Edmonton Pickleball Club with insight on how it went and moving forward.
July 2023
FAC: Leslie Srogen
Leslie is a mentor, coach, and one of the early builders of pickleball in Alberta.
- The 7th Annual Pickleball Alberta Provincials in Red Deer, August 10-13!
- Pickleball Alberta membership hits the 9,000 mark!
- Pickleball Alberta Junior Jamboree roaring success!
- Power Rankings for Mens and Womens 50+ division are up!
- NCCP Coaching Clinics for Level I and Level II NCCP.
- Officiating – what you need to know about your paddle “before” a tournament.
- Special Olympics program wraps up for the summer with incredible success across Alberta
- Pickleball Alberta AGM – Annual General Meeting set for Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 1:00 PM MST.
- Annual Provincial Fee Increase for Pickleball Alberta approved by Board for 2023 and to be brought forward at AGM for sustainability of the association.
- Major overhaul at the Board of Pickleball Canada with nine new members and President.
June 2023
FAC: Haddow Thul
Haddow is the Vice President of Pickleball Alberta and one of the top-ranked Open players in Alberta who will be competing in the newly formed Canadian National Pickleball League.
- Pickleball Alberta Day HUGE success with clubs across the province!
- Power Rankings for Mens and Womens Open and 60+ divisions are up!
- NCCP Coaching Clinics underway for Level I and Level II NCCP.
- Pickleball Alberta Junior Jamboree registration filling up!
- Officiating Clinics completed across Alberta.
- Western Director Doug Fogg resigns from Board of Pickleball Canada.
- Pickleball Canada AGM June 28th and the future direction of our game needs your vote!
- Four top Alberta candidates running for Pickleball Canada Board of Directors to make a difference.
- Match Point: PCO Bylaws proposal crushed with the largest number of votes ever cast at Pickleball Canada and I answer the question “Why do you do all this?”
May 2023
FAC: Sean McCartan
Sean is a senior professional pickleball player and Station Captain of the Londonderry Fire Department who has recently been on the front lines fighting the wildfires in the north.
- Welcome to our newly Affiliated Club the Heritage Society of the Village of Seba Beach!
- Pickleball Alberta Day is tomorrow, June 3rd with a treasurer chest of prizes available to participating Affiliated Clubs!
- New NCCP Coaching Clinic dates announced for Level and Level II NCCP coaching certification.
- Pickleball Alberta Junior paddles now on sale!
- Pickleball Alberta Junior Jamboree registration Open!
- Officiating Clinics completed across Alberta.
- Pickleball Alberta jackets for sale while supplies last.
- Match Point: Bylaws voting process update and do your part for the future of our game, be informed, and VOTE!
April 2023
FAC: Ava Weeks
Ava is the top-ranked junior female player in Alberta, winning tournaments throughout the province.
- Important information coming from PA Board to members regarding proposed PC Bylaws.
- Membership up 25% over the same time last year!
- Coaches from across Alberta receive inaugural Level II NCCP coaching certifications.
- Pickleball Alberta Junior paddles coming in this month!
- Pickleball Alberta Provincials registration opens May 10!
- The new scoring format, Rally Scoring being used by professional leagues, explained.
- Pickleball Alberta jackets for sale while supplies last.
- Match Point Do your part for the future of our game, be informed, and VOTE!
March 2023
FAC: Dean Edwards
Dean is a builder for pickleball in Alberta as the Charter and current President of the Camrose Pickleball Club, one of the first to join PA.
- Pickleball Alberta PATV YouTube Channel popularity grows and gets a graphic facelift
- Where in the World Pickleball Alberta jacket contest is underway!
- Level II NCCP course put on by the Tennis Professional Association a big success.
- Pickleball Alberta Junior Jamboree set for July 22 at EVPC!
- Alison Ramsley comes onto the PA Board of Directors as the new Director of Technology.
- Initial Pickleball Alberta Provincials details released.
- Pickleball Alberta jackets for sale while supplies last.
- Match Point: Pickleball Alberta to best practices model to now follow others.
February 2023
FAC: Rob Cundy
Rob is a pioneer for pickleball in Alberta, introducing pickleball to the deaf community in Alberta and across North America.
- National Funding and Recognition not happening in the next phase.
- Alberta Sports Hall of Fame does recognize pickleball!
- “Where in the World” Pickleball Alberta jacket contest is underway!
- Level II NCCP courses, dates, and locations announced for Okotoks and Edmonton.
- Pickleball Alberta jackets shipment is in and are again on sale.
- Next order of Junior Pickleball Alberta paddles to arrive in May.
- National Bylaws Being Revamped. They are dry but are so important when important actions and decisions have to be made.
January 2023
FAC: Linda Dane
Linda is a pioneer for pickleball in Alberta, helping to start up many clubs, including some of the largest in the province.
- The Legacy Project with the Pickleball Alberta history is launched.
- The Shot of the Month contest is underway!
- Teach the Teacher initiative soft launched in southern Alberta!
- Level II NCCP courses dates and locations announced.
- Alberta Pickleball Day is set for June 3rd!
- New rule changes listed and referee reimbursement schedule for 2023
- Shot Statistics from recent PPA Tour Event.
- Goal setting for your pickleball participation 2023.
December 2022
Year in Review
Pickleball Alberta looks back at the events, tournaments, initiatives, and story lines that shaped our year.
- Pickleball Alberta welcomes affiliating clubs Carstairs Pickleball Club and Chestermere Pickleball Club.
- Month-by-Month highlights for the year 2022.
- Pickleball Alberta ends year with 8,526 members, an increase of 41% for 2022!
- Total clubs affiliating with Pickleball Alberta grows to 38, an increase of 13 for 2022!
- Year End Listing of Alberta Referees who have leveled up.
- Year End Listing of Alberta NCCP Coaches who have leveled up.
- Season End Power Rankings listed for all Age Divisions.
November 2022
FAC: Tony Tighe
Past President of the Calgary Pickleball Club with 2,300 members, one of the largest pickleball clubs in North America.
- Pickleball Alberta welcomes the Edmonton Volleyball and Pickleball Center (EVPC) as the first affiliating Associate Organization
- Pickleball Alberta announces Red Deer Pickleball Club to host 2023 Provincial Championships.
- Pickleball Alberta to start work with Special Olympics.
- Pickleball Canada announces 2023 Major Championships Hosts and Dates.
- Membership database to permanently delete PA members who have not renewed since 04-30-2020.
- Power Rankings for Juniors.
October 2022
FAC: George Oko
Founding member of Westlock Pickleball Club, tournament organizer, and one of the early pioneers of pickleball in Alberta.
- Pickleball Alberta welcomes the Northern Lights Pickleball Club (Calgary) and the Lacombe Pickleball Peeps!
- Membership hits 8000
- All back issues of Around the Post newsletter are now available on the PA website.
- Pickleball Alberta Legacy/History Project underway for website.
- Subscribe to PATV YouTube channel to help PA receive advertising dollars.
- Power Rankings for the 65+ Division for Mens and Ladies.
September 2022
FAC: Doug Fogg
Past Director of the Edmonton Pickleball Club, past Pickleball Alberta Vice President, and current Director of Pickleball Canada.
- Pickleball Alberta welcomes the Richmond Green Pickleball and Social Club, the Tees Pickleball Club, and the Westlock Pickleball Club
- AGM held virtually on September 25
- New Board members elected and brought in for 2022-2023
- Provincial membership fee increase voted down for 2023
- Power Rankings for the 60+ Division
August 2022
FAC: Brenda Feser
Brenda is the Junior Director for Pickleball Alberta and Past President of Red Deer Pickleball Club.
- PA Junior Jamboree big success with large enrollment
- Provincial membership fee increase being vetted for 2023
- All 1,600 matches for Red Deer and Parkland have Certified and Accredited referees
- Power Rankings for the 50+ Division
July 2022
FAC: Lisa Loveless
Vice President and junior leader of the Grande Prairie Pickleball Club.
- Provincials hosted by Medicine Hat resounding success!
- Membership hits 7000
- Pickleball Alberta sets another national first with Of the Year awards handed out
- PA TV is branded on YouTube with live streaming and event videos
- Power Rankings: Open Mens and Ladies
June 2022
FAC: Gordon Masson
First year President of the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club and top 70+ competitive player.
- Welcome Bow Valley Pickleball Club
- Pickleball Alberta Day Big Success
- NCCP Level I Learn to Play certification clinics scheduled
- Seven Alberta Schools receive Pickleball Alberta School Grant
- Alberta 55+ Games hosted by Mighty Peace Pickleball Club
- Power Rankings paused for Provincials play
May 2022
FAC: Daryl Newman
Member of Red Deer Pickleball Club; 6000th Pickleball Alberta member.
- Welcome Sundre Pickleball Association
- Membership hits 6000
- Pickleball Alberta Day June 11
- Power Rankings: 65+ and Juniors
April 2022
FAC: Garand Jones
Club President, Pickleball Alberta Director, Referee of over 1300 games.
- Welcome Elk Island Pickleball Club
- 2022 Provincials
- New Pickleball Alberta website launches
- Power Rankings: 60+ Mens and Ladies
March 2022
FAC: Brenda Lea MacPhail
Tournament Director, 2022 Alberta Provincials.
- Welcome Fort Saskatchewan Pickleball Club
- Club President’s Season-Kick-Off Conference
- Of-the-Year Awards
- Power Rankings: 50+ Mens and Ladies
February 2022
FAC: Ernesto Fajardo
The recognized #2 player in Canada.
- Welcome Yellowhead West Pickleball Club
- Coaching Working Group Formed
- Officials Clinics
- Power Rankings: Open Division and Juniors
January 2022
FAC: Ted Sherback
Steward of Pickleball Canada’s insurance program and long-serving PC Director.
- Junior Training Equipment Grant
- Club Competitions
- Volunteer Needed for Grant Applications
- Power Rankings: 65+ and Juniors
December 2021
FAC: Ilsa Wong
Director of Coaching, Pickleball Alberta.
- Junior Pickleball
- Coaching
- Renewing Your Membership
- Power Rankings: 60+
November 2021
FAC: Kim Layton and Brad Chapman
Top Male and Female players in Alberta.
- NCCP Coaching Program being rolled out with Coaching Training Sessions happening across Alberta
- Membership hits 5000
- 2022 Nationals: Pickleball Canada announced for Kingston Pickleball Club
- Membership shown by Sport Zone and Club
- Power Rankings: For first time rank top 50+
October 2021
FAC: Brian and Julie Sribney
Spruce Grove volunteer-power-couple who have played a major role in the success of the Pickleball Alberta officiating program.
- President Kirk visits with the Quebec Pickleball Federation in Montreal
- Winner of Top Sport Zones Contest Announced
- Pickleball Alberta AGM sees new bylaws passed and directors elected
- Youth survey coming to clubs
- Medal Results charted by Club and Sport Zone
- Power Rankings: OPEN Division
September 2021
FAC: Benn Gibb and Rafe Prince
Two up and coming Alberta youth players who won gold medals in the Youth Doubles Divisions at both the Provincials and Nationals.
- Recap of incredible Nationals hosted by Red Deer
- AHS Guidance lifted for events
- Introducing the 8 Sport Zones as determined by Alberta Sport
- Two of our finest our heading to Atlantic Canada this fall to share their expertise
- AGM will be virtual event on September 28
- Power Rankings: Open Mens and Ladies
August 2021
FAC: Marcel Letourneau
Vice President and Tournament Director of the Parkland Pickleheads, the host of the 2021 Provincials.
- Provincials big success with over 300 competitors
- Claudine Lemieux from Camrose interviewed by CBC Radio
- YouTube channel setup for livestreaming Provincials
- Pickleball Alberta Night set for Nationals
- Power Rankings: Open Mens and Ladies
July 2021
FAC: Wanda Lazar
Passionate volunteer making an impact for the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club.
- Leadership changes with Kirk chooses to continue as PA President and leave PCO Presidency
- Officiating clinics happening across Alberta
- Virtual social media tours continue across Alberta
- Power Rankings: Open Mens and Ladies
June 2021
Kirk Jensen President PCO
The first newsletter was sent by PCO President to the entire Canadian membership through PCNS.
- Path to Sport Eligibility
- PCNS successfully launched in 10 provinces and territories
- NCCP Coaching Program moving ahead
- Junior Program major focus
- 2021 Nationals Announced for Red Deer
- Club Emergency Action Plan
May 2021
FAC: Mike Cooper
Founding Director of Pickleball Alberta, Past Director of Pickleball Canada, highly regarded coach and National and Provincial champion at the 5.0 level.
- Alberta launches the PCO National System
- Canadian Tournament Player Rating introduced
- Pickleball Alberta has awarded the Parkland Pickleheads to host the 2021
- Power Rankings Paused for Major Championships
April 2021
FAC: Judy Bohn
Barrhead Treasurer and Builder.
Pickleball Canada is launching a youth program.
- Membership hits 4000
Pickleball Canada National Championships registration to reopen April 15
Officiating clinics well underway in Alberta
Power Rankings paused.
February 2021
FAC: Blair Morton
PA Technology.
National System rolling out with Kirk Jensen chairing the project
Beverley, Blair, and their team set Alberta to roll out on June 1
Level 1 Referees recognized
PCO Membership fees are being raised to $10.00
September 2020
- 2020-2021 Board of Directors elected at AGM
- Pickleball Alberta’s Year in Review
July-August 2020
FAC: Brady Hurshowy
Alberta’s Youngest Competitive Player.
- Completing our Strategic Plan
- National Cert. Coaching Program
- Goal: 100 Certified Referees
June 2020
FAC: Marcel Latouche
Builder, Strategic Plan Consultant and Leader.
- Pickleball Alberta Vision
- Pickleball Canada AGM and Elections
- New Outdoor Courts in Alberta
May 2020
FAC: Val and Gene Vollmin
Gene: Tournament Chair for 2021 Canadian Nationals.
Val: Past President Red Deer Pickleball Club and 6th President of Pickleball Canada (2016-2017).
- Red Deer Pickleball Club Awarded 2021 Nationals
- Kirk Jensen Appointed to Pickleball Canada Board
April 2020
FAC: Beverley Walker
Founder and Charter President (2016-2019) of Pickleball Alberta and founding member of Calgary Pickleball Club.
- Red Deer Pickleball Club Applying for 2021 Nationals
- Canadian Officiating Standards Set
- Competitions Cancelled
March 2020
FAC: Abed Dergham
ICU Nurse in COVID Intensive Care; Founding member of Edmonton PC.
- Welcome Lethbridge Pickleball Club
- Steve Deakin Appointed Pickleball Canada Ambassador
February 2020
FAC: Cookie Drake
Elite Player and Builder.
- New Pickleball Alberta logo unveiled
- Pickleball Canada Policies and Guidelines
- Competitions
- Power Rankings: Men’s and Women’s Doubles
January 2020
FAC: Doug Thompson
7th President of Pickleball Canada (2018-2019).
- Power Rankings: Men’s and Women’s Doubles
- 2020 Memberships
- Clinics and Competitions
December 2019
FAC: Ed Neuman
Brought Pickleball to Alberta.
- Central Lions 10-Year Anniversary
- Calgary Pickleball Club Clinics
- Competitions