Friday, July 13, 2012

Under 55 pickleball tournaments needed in Canada

After just wrapping up the Canadian Pickleball nationals in Abbotsford this past weekend, I am appealing to pickleball clubs across Canada that have pickleball tournaments, or are thinking of having a pickleball tournament. There are always countless pickleball tournaments that are open to the over 55 crowd, which I think is great, as it allows some great competition and exercise to take place for this age group. Also this age group (if they are snowbirds) play pickleball non-stop throughout the warm winters that they are down south. And I personally love playing against and with these wonderful folks, most of who would give any under 55 crowd a real pickleball game anyday. But getting back to us younger pickleball folks, who love the game, more than just an exercise event 1 or 2 days a week, but truly want to see the sport grow, and maybe take some of the stigma off how people see our sport. Pickleball is a game for all, which offers exercise, competition for all ages (Except age appropriate tournaments.) This year in BC I, as an under 55 pickleball player, I have the opportunity to attend 3 IFP regulated pickleball tournaments in 4 months (Kelowna, Abbotsford, & Nanaimo.)  For me can it be a sport, or with that few tournaments is it a hobby. Maybe it's just that those 3 cities are the only pickleball groups that have groups of younger pickleball players? My 10 & 12 year old sons wants to enter a pickleball tournament, and they are both pretty good, but there is barely any time slots available even at lower mainland rec centers for his age, let alone under 55 age.  I love pickleball, and I want to see Pickleball in Canada reach it's full potential, and I want pickleball in Canada to have a future. Who can help?

2 comments:

  1. Hi Grant,
    Next year we will start a Junior division so your sons can enter and win the first gold medal for junior players in Canada!!!
    Since USAPA National has a Junior category, we should start one in Canada too.
    Shirley

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  2. I would like to speak with you about adding more 'less-than-seniors' Pickleball play and tournaments. It is an area we are lacking here n the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.
    Richard
    pickleballmn.com

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