History of the Newmarket Pickleball Club
The Newmarket Pickleball Club was officially formed in the spring of 2023 when a group of founding board members, together with several dedicated players, gathered to explore how to establish a formal organization. Following this initial meeting, the group approached Pickleball Canada to learn how to become an affiliate club.
The founding board members were:
Debra Scott, President
Carlos Faria, Vice President
Peter Stott, Treasurer
Stuart Leigh, Secretary
Cheryl Soo Hon, Director-at-Large
Helen Minchopoulos, Director-at-Large
Joanne Mele, Director-at-Large
The inaugural season opened on May 1, 2023, with approximately 200 members. At that time, the club reflected the early demographics of the sport in Canada, with an average member age of 72.
From the beginning, the club benefited from the Town of Newmarket’s progressive approach to pickleball. Years earlier, the Town had recognized pickleball’s potential by converting tennis courts at Quaker Park into dedicated pickleball courts and expanding opportunities through dual-lined courts at Joe Persechini Park and indoor access to gymnasiums.
In March 2023, the Town presented its “Supporting the Growth of Pickleball” strategy to Council, which included a plan to partner directly with the newly formed Newmarket Pickleball Club to help operate and program facilities. This partnership model followed the successful community-driven approach already in place with the Newmarket Tennis Club.
Since then, the club has grown at a remarkable pace. By October 2025, membership had expanded to nearly 700 members, with the average age dropping to 59, showing how pickleball is increasingly attracting younger players as well as remaining popular among seniors.
The club’s success has been intertwined with Newmarket’s leadership as a municipality. In 2024, after a thorough site selection process, the Town announced plans for a 20-court dedicated pickleball facility at 175 Bayview Parkway, complete with provisions for an inflatable bubble for year-round play and a clubhouse . This facility is set to become the centerpiece of pickleball in Newmarket and York Region. The club is excited to partner with the Town and operate programs annually from May to Spetember.
Today, the Newmarket Pickleball Club not only represents one of the fastest-growing community sports organizations in the region but also serves as a model for how local clubs and municipalities can work hand in hand. From 200 members in 2023 to nearly 700 in 2025, the club’s story is one of vision, collaboration, and rapid growth — helping Newmarket earn the recognition as York Region’s first Pickleball-Friendly Community.