Happy Tuesday, Vancouver Island! How did your community fair with the snow? It looks like the Qualicum Beach area received a healthy amount over the past couple of days. Anyone have pictures? Elsewhere, our Court Guide, Events Calendar, and Coaching Directory have received updates over the past week—thank you to everyone who has reached out to provide input. Keep the feedback and messages coming! Speaking of messages, does your club have an event or update that you’d like featured in this newsletter? If so, send us an email at [email protected].

If you’re on social media, join our growing Facebook Group, Facebook Page, and Linkedin, as well as Instagram and YouTube.

We’ve got some exciting updates coming up, stay tuned.

- Vancouver Island Pickleball

Victoria’s Trish Fougner Providing Introduction to Pickleball for Beginners in Capital Region

Victoria, BC - Victoria Regional Pickleball Association (VRPA) board member, player and community health advocate Trish Fougner has been an active member in the Victoria pickleball community for the past two years. Fougner has taken her passion for living an active lifestyle and facilitating high profile athletic events to the pickleball scene, where she is introducing interested players to the sport on a weekly basis.

MEETUP GROUP

Fougner, a member of the University of Victoria’s Sports Hall of Fame, has also worked locally with Victoria’s annual Times Colonist 10k (as the 2019 Race Director) and worked provincially in the lead up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The former track star felt the pull to get involved in the pickleball scene in 2023, but wasn’t sure how or where to start. She began by connecting Saanich residents with clinics catered towards introductory and beginner-type sessions and created a Facebook page (Saanich Pickleball) dedicated to beginner and intermediate players. She joined the VRPA board in 2024 to further her interest in getting beginners hooked.

Fast forward to the present day and Fougner’s weekly clinics have risen in popularity and now feature three main sessions per-week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) year-round at Victoria’s Majestic Park from 9:30-11:30 a.m., with Tuesday’s and Thursday’s the latest additions to the list.

“I'm not a certified instructor yet, but I wanted to get people playing and learning the rules,” said Fougner. “I had so many friends say they wanted to play or people asking 'where can they learn' so I felt the need to create a fun, learning environment to teach some basics. Individuals can sign up through the Meetup app online."

While the app creates an opportunity for the public to play, players must abide by the rules of the municipal courts which doesn't "reserve" the court but creates a group playing opportunity. More specific rules are listed in the app for each court.

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Pickleball Canada releases 2025 participation survey results

Ottawa, ON - Pickleball Canada has released results from a recent survey estimating that 1.54 million people in Canada are currently playing the sport of pickleball.

The survey was conducted in January of this year and indicates a 57 percent increase in participation over the past three years. The survey also noted that the largest increase in participation over the past year has been in the 35-54 age group.

Ontario comes in with the highest number of players, an estimated 598,900 participants. Quebec followed in second, with approximately 315,000 players.

The number of Canadians with a Pickleball Canada membership also grew by 25% from the end of 2023 (68,102 members) to the end of 2024 (85,223 members). This increase can be attributed to the vibrant pickleball community, and the many benefits Pickleball Canada members enjoy, including access to sanctioned tournaments nationwide, a cutting-edge officiating program, coaching opportunities, and exciting local and provincial/territorial club initiatives.

The survey highlighted some of the barriers Canadians may face when trying to participate in pickleball. The two main obstacles indicated in the results were a lack of information about the sport (21%) and a shortage of facilities (15%).

Read the full Pickleball Canada article HERE.

• MLB’s J.D. Martinez signs pickleball deal, eyes pro career in retirement (the score)

• Johnson battles past Alshon for first 2025 gold (pickleball.com)

• Clinical performance lifts Waters, Parenteau to women’s doubles gold (pickleball.com)

About Vancouver Island Pickleball

Vancouver Island Pickleball is the destination for all things pickleball on the Island. Founded in 2024, VIPB is dedicated to empowering the sport’s dynamic community with resources, tips, and the latest news to help the sport flourish and reach new heights. Built for seasoned players and beginners alike, VIPB is here to elevate the Island pickleball experience.

Looking to get involved? If you’re a player, club, business, or organization with a passion for pickleball, reach out at [email protected].