The Canadian National Pickleball League’s (CNPL) 2025 season is set to kick off on May 17, marking the pro league’s third season. This past month, the CNPL Draft saw 40 of Canada’s top players selected by clubs to compete for this year’s championship title, including Vancouver Island’s Isabelle Tang.
Hailing from Vancouver, Tang, 31, and her husband, relocated to the Island four years ago, and took up pickleball just under three years ago. A former badminton player, Tang converted to pickleball and has been on an upward trajectory ever since. With support from her sponsors Yumo, Victoria Pickleball Centre and coaches, Tang has now set her sights on the upcoming CNPL season after being selected by Ontario-based Northern Lights pickleball club.
“My goals and journey to getting onto the CNPL has been a lot of hard work,” said Tang. “Lots of hours on the court. I’ve been training with Paul Fitzgerald and Eugene Mak…I do a lot of strength training as well, and I also make sure that there’s drilling days and also some competitive recreation days that I play.”
The hard work has paid off, and has been followed by a non-stop stream of support from the Island’s pickleball community.
“It’s been amazing,” remarked Tang. “The support has been awesome. Victoria Pickleball Centre and all of the people there have been super supportive. I’ve been getting lots of congratulation messages, and everyone’s just been hugging me every time I walk into the club. So, it’s been very nice and welcoming.”
The CNPL’s eight clubs in 2025 include the Southwestern Ontario Brewers, Toronto United Pickleball Club, Montreal Lions, Vancouver Rush, London Smash, Prairie Pronghorns, Northwestern Lights and Detroit-Windsor Drive.
“I’m really excited to play for the Northern Lights team and having the team owners, Michael and Jason, believe in me,” added Tang.
In addition to competing at the professional level of pickleball in the country, Tang now hopes to pay it forward when it comes to the growth of the sport in her community and on the Island.
“My goal in pickleball is just to grow the sport and also grow the community that we have here in Victoria. I’m a kindergarten teacher—I actually teach a lot of little kids how to play sports. So, this is just like a stepping stone for me as well…I want to make sure that I’m also a positive role model to all the little kids, and just to show them that if you really want to achieve something, you can.”
To follow the Northern Lights this season, visit https://cnpl.ca/team/northern-lights-ontario-pickleball
Watch more with Isabelle on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VancouverIslandPickleballTV
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