Newsletter #90 - March 2026
Newsletter #90
Spring Edition - March 2026
Advancing Pickleball through Sponsorship
Pickleball Regina has chosen to sponsor one of the top players in Saskatchewan! Through this sponsorship, Anna Dyachenko will promote pickleball and Pickleball Regina as she participates in top calibre tournaments across North America, including through her social media and wearing a Pickleball Regina logo on-court. Anna Dyachenko will also serve as our Ratings Ambassador to support our activities during 2026.
Why Pickleball Ratings Matter- Anna Dyachenko - Ratings Ambassador
Why pickleball?
We may be drawn to pickleball for various reasons – the social aspect surrounding this sport, the exercise, the competition, to name but a few – but let’s be honest: when it comes to the actual experience on the court, majority of players tend to have the most fun when playing with and against players of a similar skill level. Of course, there are recreational players who enjoy showing up at their community centres and public courts and playing with and against anyone, regardless of their playing skills and abilities. How welcoming and inviting! I admire and celebrate the deep-seated community spirit of pickleball. Its appeal and accessibility to so many people is the reason pickleball continues to be the fastest growing sport in North America.
More than just a game
Having said that, pickleball has been gaining popularity not only at home but overseas as well, transforming in nature and style of play, and with it – evolving from a mere recreational activity into a sport. In the last decade, we have witnessed the rise of pickleball competitions: tournaments, competitive leagues, moneyball events, and even professional pickleball tours. Players nowadays do not just mix and mingle with their fellow community members during ‘open’ play. They attend clinics and take private lessons with the goal of improving their skills so they can better compete with their counterparts. They seek opportunities to face equally skilled opponents in order to gain valuable on-court experience that will both test their abilities and push them towards continued development.
Where do I belong?
At the heart of this new competitive nature of pickleball are the skill ratings, which enable program coordinators and tournament directors to organize the player base into divisions that make for the best experience for everyone. Having an accurate skill rating is essential for maintaining fair and competitive play in pickleball. Club programs are better able to cater to players offering a variety of levels to place them based on their skill level. It helps tournament organizers create balanced brackets, ensuring that matches are enjoyable and appropriately challenging for all players. Although for some players, a rating may be something akin to a social status that they hold dear to their heart, for most players, an accurate rating is a reflection of where they stand (i.e. which competitive events they fit into), and which areas of their game need improvement.
How does a rating process work?
Drills-based skill assessment has previously been used to determine a player’s rating. In a drills-based skill assessment, a player is asked to perform a series of shots, which helps the rating professional determine where the player’s performance places them on a rating scale. Although this approach does provide an adequate idea of a player’s shot-making skills, it lacks the realistic game conditions, such as court movement, varying speed and spin, opponents’ diverse playing styles, etc. Meanwhile, play-based skill assessment provides a better indication of what a player is capable of when performing under pressure of all those said factors. During a play-based skill assessment, a rating professional observes the players as they participate in a game, checking their abilities against a list of criteria correlating to the most crucial aspects of individual skill rating levels. Having collected sufficient evidence of each player’s performance, the evaluator is then able to grant each player a skill rating and provide feedback about the aspects of their play that need improving in order for them to advance to the next level.
What's next?
Pickleball Regina Inc. has made arrangements for interested players to undergo a play-based rating process for the benefit of all: players come to know what their overall pickleball skills amount to and what aspects of their game require attention; and, with the players’ ratings identified, PRI will be able to offer program options that are structured, fair and advantageous for all its members.
As players advance through the ratings, they can set realistic goals—whether that means joining a more competitive league or fine-tuning specific parts of their game. In this way, the skill rating system not only serves as a measurement of progress but also as a source of motivation, driving players to continue improving and elevating the overall level of play in the pickleball community.
2026 Pickleball Saskatchewan Provincials Tournament
Pickleball Regina was awarded the Pickleball Saskatchewan Provincials for 2026, which will be held on May 28-31, 2026 at the Queen City Pickleball Hub. Registration opened on February 27th at www.pickleballtournaments.com
We expect up to 350 registrants supported by certified referees on the 16 courts at QCPH. To make this event a success, we will need your help as volunteers. Please watch for the volunteer sign up as there will be various opportunities available for this multi day day event.
Pickleball Regina is proud to partner with the Canadian Mental Health Association - Regina Branch as our official charity for the tournament.
Through our combined efforts we expect to raise funds to support efforts to respond to mental health issues in our region. This is a very unique approach where any surplus from the tournament will be donated to CMHA - Regina to assist their activities.
2026 - What's New?
Plans and opportunities are coming in 2026 including:
- A new era will begin for the outdoor program with new City fee schedules, and a different fee structure for members and a more focused schedule. Permits from the City of Regina are expected to arrive soon.
- Efforts will be undertaken to recruit more members through an open New Membership Day at Douglas Park on June 6, 2026. Stay tuned for more information.
- PRI activities will be shifting to the Global Pickleball Network (GPN) to simplify the sign up process. We have heard your feedback about the process being too complicated with the various systems. Migrating from Sign Up Genius will occur over the coming weeks.
How the DUPR Reset Works:
To qualify for a risk-free Reset, you simply need to
✅ Register before or during the Reset window. Click HERE for more information.
✅ Play at least 8 matches with 2 different partners (for doubles), or 8 matches against 2 different opponents (for singles). Your Reset rating is calculated only using matches played during the Reset window.
PRI Membership Renewal
Don't forget to renew your 2026 PRI membership. The $30.00 fee includes membership with all 3 levels of the organization - Pickleball Canada, Pickleball Saskatchewan, and Pickleball Regina. Click on the Join/Renew bar on PRI's homepage (top left), or for assistance, email membership@pickleballregina.ca and we can send you your individual link to renew. Your membership provides you with access to all Pickleball Regina programs, events, newsletters, eblasts and special events.
Winter 2026 Indoor Program
Indoor programs continue at QCPH - the schedule of events is on Court Reserve. Contact membership@pickleballregina.ca with your suggestions for new/changes to programs.
Future Tournaments:
March 27-29, 2026, Battle of the Paddles - Brandon, MB, for more information, click HERE
May 28-31, 2026, Pickleball Saskatchewan Provincials - Regina, SK
August 18-23, 2026, Pickleball Canada Nationals - Greater Toronto area
See a variety of tournaments on www.pickleballtournaments.com
Meet your 2025 – 2026 Board of Directors
President – Randy Dove
Vice-President – Keith Kawecki
Treasurer – Lillian Schweitzer
Secretary – Christina Wishlow
Directors – Greg Nein, Grant Hesje, Ray Greenwood, Kristen Tam, Terry Haas-Pasloski, Chuck Sylvestre, Pauline Tessier
Questions or comments: Contact admin@pickleballregina.ca
“We gratefully acknowledge the support of our sponsors and funders! We could not succeed without their continued investment and ongoing support.”
Keep Pickleball Fun!
