Pickleball Canada has been granted “Funding Eligible” status by Sport Canada. The significant milestone marks the culmination of a multi-year process involving the National Sport Organization’s (NSO) board members, staff, and volunteers across committees and task teams.
As a member of the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), Pickleball Canada has seen tremendous growth in membership, with a 25% increase in 2024 to reach 88,000. The organization submitted its application in December 2024.
“This recognition is a testament to the collective commitment and hard work of everyone involved in the development of Pickleball Canada,” said Pickleball Canada President Val Vollmin. “We are thrilled to see our efforts acknowledged and to be moving forward as an officially recognized NSO.”
Pickleball Canada will receive a detailed scorecard from the review process that provides guidance towards the organization’s governance structure, and shapes the continued refinement necessary the NSO’s Government of Canada application for funding in 2026. This process is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025.
The designation opens new doors for Pickleball Canada’s Provincial and Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs), which require NSO recognition as a eligibility prerequisite for funding.
About Pickleball Canada
Pickleball Canada is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in Canada. The Canadian Pickleball Association was established in 2009 and then incorporated as Pickleball Canada in 2011. The organization works to promote and develop the sport at all levels, from grassroots to high-performance. Their mission is to promote the growth and development of pickleball across the country by providing leadership, resources, and opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball Canada is responsible for the coordination and delivery of pickleball events across the country, including the National and Regional Championships, which brings together top players from across Canada to compete for the title of national champion. With a growing number of players and clubs across the country, pickleball is Canada’s fastest growing sport and Pickleball Canada is at the forefront of this exciting movement. For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit pickleballcanada.org
ABOUT GLOBAL PICKLEBALL FEDERATION (GPF)
The GPF is the world governing body for pickleball, serving as a not-for-profit organization focused on the integrity and development of pickleball globally – from grassroots to recreational and high-performance levels. GPF’s unifying function, structure, and board are aligned with pickleball’s established continental federations and a valued volunteer network engaged in growing the sport worldwide. The GPF’s ethical framework and by-laws will ultimately lead the sport of pickleball to International Olympic Committee recognition and inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The constant interplay between the GPF with its respective continental and national federations ensures uniform rules, regulations, standards, and the ability to swiftly implement best practices. For more info, visit https://globalpickleballfederation.org/