Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Canadian Winners at the 2014 Tournament of Champions, Ogden, Utah

Congratulations to Luba Zhekhovskaya from Surrey, B.C. for winning Open Women's Doubles Silver medal and cash prize $1,500 with Che Cui at the 2014 Tournament of Champions, Ogden, Utah.  This Pickleball Tournament has the highest prize money ever in pickleball history showcasing the best 5.0 pickleball players in N. America. 

Congratulations  to Cookie Drake from Cold Lake, Alberta for winning Open Women's Doubles Bronze medal and cash prize $750.  Congratulations also to Jennifer Lucore from California for winning two Gold medals and cash prizes of $6,000. This tournament's total prize money is $46,000, even have cash prizes for 4th, 5th and 6th places winners.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Videos of 2014 Pickleball Canada National Open Championship Open Women's Doubles Finals

2014 Pickleball Canada National Open Championship videos posted on Youtube, Open Women Doubles final matches:  Luba Zhekhovskaya/Christine Barksdale vs Jennifer Lucore/Darcie Jacobsen. .Below are two links to view these videos:

Friday, September 5, 2014

Huge Growth of Pickleball in Private/Public facilities in Canada

Huge Growth of Pickleball in Private/Public facilities in Canada 
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in Canada due to the increasing number of pickleball players and new pickleball clubs and groups forming. New pickleball courts and programs are gaining popularity in both private and public facilities. Many cities/ municipalities and club/groups have painted pickleball lines on tennis courts and/or built dedicated pickleball courts. Public facilities include schools, churches, YMCA/YWCA, Recreation and Community Centres which have drop-in pickleball programs. Private facilities offering pickleball include tennis and golf clubs, fitness centres and senior retirement communities. Below are some private and public facilities which are providing new pickleball courts and programs for the increasing number of pickleball players in their communities.

Agassiz, B.C - City built full size gymnasium for New Pickleball Courts: 

The Community Recreation & Cultural Centre in Agassiz, BC has recently undergone a major expansion that has included a full size gymnasium which will include pickleball. Construction is expected to be completed in early September and they are planning the activities/sports which will include pickleball in the fall schedule and programming.

Port Alberni, B.C. Slammers Gym building Six New Courts: 

Vancouver Island has seen a huge growth of pickleball players and new clubs forming. Port Alberni is the only city on Vancouver Island without a pickleball club. The owner of Slammers Gym in Port Alberni is investing $400,000 to build six new pickleball courts and two volleyball/basketball courts. Port Alberni players will have up to six new courts to use this summer.

Winnipeg, MB - Getting Pickleball started at the YMCA/YWCA:

YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, South Branch is offering new Pickleball Time on Wednesday's 1:00-2:30pm. They would like to arrange for a Representative/Coach to do a demo/clinic if possible to get 'the ball rolling' in September.

Regina Beach, Sask. - The Town of Regina Beach, Saskatchewan wants to introduce Pickleball in the Regina Beach community. They are looking for a representative/coach to host Pickleball workshops in the fall and winter months.

Port Dover, Ontario - Adult Lifestyle Community built Four New Outdoor Courts: 
The Dover Coast Adult Lifestyle Community has completed four new dedicated outdoor pickleball courts. Twenty-three members of the St. Thomas Pickleball Club travelled to Port Dover in July and introduced the sport of pickleball to their residents. 

Oshawa, ON - New outdoor pickleball courts in Oshawa, ON:

Pickleball court lines have been added to the outdoor tennis courts in Alexandra Park (4 courts) and Stonestreet Park (2 courts). Oshawa Tennis Club is planning to build a new facility in partnership with a soccer club and would like to include Pickleball in their multisport facility.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Pickleball Videos from Canada

Below are some pickleball videos links. 
http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Montreal/Sports/ID/2488587954/ video of "Pickleball catching on in Quebec" Aug 14, 2014
http://globalnews.ca/video/802987/pickleball/ video of "Pickleball" Global news Aug 26, 2013 from Canada 55+ Games in Alberta
http://www.citynews.ca/2014/06/10/explanation-of-the-sport-of-pickleball/ City News June 10, 2014 "Explanation of the sport of pickleball"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLOxQamYrVE CBC TV News June 23, 2013 "Pickleball in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia"
http://globalnews.ca/video/1480899/riverview-swept-by-pickleball-craze/ Global News July 29, 2014 New Brunswick on Riverview Tennis Club clay courts "Riverview swept by pickleball craze" The town set up two new pickleball courts at the local tennis club in New Brunswick. Global's Shelley Steeves took at swing at the popular sport.