Prices & Deadlines
All prices in CAD $
Additional Mandatory Membership Fees
Pickleball BC - $7.50/year
Pickleball Canada - $10.00/year
June Retrospective
June is always a very active month for the VRPA, and this one was no exception.
The Macdonald Realty Victoria Classic attracted 299 players for the three-day tournament. The three-day format expanded our usual 2.5 day format. That first day was packed with excitement and events, and it stressed our resources to fit it all in. But Tournament Director Krista Josselyn and her team made it work smoothly. All in all, it was a very well run tournament thanks to her team. The entire event was organized by Cathy Wong and her team of volunteers. It really does take a village to put on a tournament like this, and my thanks go out to everyone who helped out. The results for the entire tournament are available here:
https://pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/2025-macdonald-realty-classic/winners-circle
Please check here for Photos credited to Rob Lowe
On June 19 I worked with Dwayne Gordon to run pickleball demonstration sessions at the BC Public Services Day Picnic. Many people were able to try the game out, and many more who already could play were able to get a game or two in! It was a fun atmosphere on a beautiful, sunny day in June.
Under the direction of Rhea Athey, our fall programming is starting to take shape. We will be offering programs at UVIC’s CARSA facility in the fall thanks to our intrepid vice-president, Tessa Graham. Exactly what will be offered where is still being considered. We’re also considering some innovative formats for coaching (details to come).
Damaris Brix notes that VRPA’s membership numbers are at 939, with 62% female, 38% male. The average age is 61 years. We have members from throughout the region, with larger numbers in the city of Victoria and in Saanich.
Brian Harrigan is leading our Saanich Peninsula Subcommittee. That committee is hard at work supporting the development of four permanent pickleball courts in Central Saanich. Much work remains to be done, but the possibility of having four new courts there in 2026 is real.
Former President, Connie McCann, is the Project Leader for the Activating Youth Pickleball. Here is her summary of the work done in that project:
“Five out of the six schools we instructed basic pickleball to K-5, the sixth school we concentrated on Grades 3-5. We provided basic instruction to over 2000 students from January to May this past school season. We assisted in setting up 4 noon hour pickleball clubs which operated once per week for 2.5 months. We organized a 50 player, grade 4 and 5 Slamboree at the Esquimalt Archie Browning Sports Centre. We secured and trained 35 community volunteers and 2 NCCP Level 1 coaches who became specialists in youth pickleball and are this summer providing lessons to youth.”
I attended the Slamboree at Archie Browning and can attest to the success of that event. Huge enthusiasm everywhere and smiles galore—thanks to all who helped make that project happen! This project was funded by a grant from Viasport and Pickleball BC.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Trish Fougner for her work on Communications and Sponsorship for the Board. She did great work keeping our presence up on social media, writing press releases, and developing sponsor relationships. If you or someone you know is interested in helping out with this work, let me know (presidentvrpa@gmail.com)
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