Pickleball Canada Courts Growth and Builds a Strong National Community
Even with months to go before year-end, it’s clear that 2025 continues the positive momentum Pickleball Canada has enjoyed in recent years.
2025 Gold Medal Winners at the Canada National Championship
Just this year, Sport Canada recognized Pickleball Canada as a National Sport Organization. Also, in 2025 Pickleball Canada debuted its Provincial Team Competition, calling it a “friendly yet competitive” showcase of talent from six Canadian provinces. These activities built on a 25% membership spike from 2023-2024 and a 60% increase in membership from 2022 to 2023.
“Pickleball Canada is incredibly proud of the sport’s growth over the past few years,” says Barry Petrachenko, Pickleball Canada Executive Director. “With national recognition now in place, strong systems established, and an energized membership base, the organization is well-positioned to lead pickleball into its next phase of development: competitive, inclusive, and community-focused.”
Rules, Standards and Policy Organization
The National Sport Organization status is particularly important for Pickleball Canada, the national governance, rules, standards and policy entity. It means additional funding on national and provincial levels, as well as access to grants and other program support. To attain the recognition, Pickleball Canada reformed governance, amended bylaws to enhance geographic diversity, reduced its board size, and eliminated conflicts of interest.
Amid the recent changes, growth is the consistent theme for this 16-year-old organization founded as the Canadian National Pickleball Association. Take membership: according to reports, Pickleball Canada’s January 2025 participation survey reflects large gains—membership climbed to roughly 85,000 by the end of 2024, up from 68,000 at year-end 2023.
The survey also estimated that 1.54 million Canadians play pickleball at least once per month. Data also indicates member growth in younger demographics, such as individuals aged 35-54, versus Pickleball Canada’s typical age 50-plus member.
Pickleball Canada Executive Director, Barry Petrachenko
‘Strong, Connected Community’
“Our membership has grown to 90,000 members nationwide this year. We view this as a reflection of our efforts to support the growth and development of the sport in Canada and across the world, and we have embraced the responsibility to serve this member base with a passion for the sport and a commitment to building a strong, connected pickleball community,” Barry noted.
Pickleball Canada, which leverages the nation’s geographic provinces, has also focused on growing events. In addition to its annual National Championships—an 800-plus participant, sold-out tournament—provincial tournaments are part of the portfolio, including inaugural Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador events.
In 2021 Pickleball Canada deployed the Pickleball Canada National System, a digital platform used by more than 400 affiliated clubs and Provincial or Territorial Sport Organization (PTSOs) to help manage memberships, tournaments, coaching and officiating resources. The system continues to evolve led by a task force.
Speaking of systems, Pickleball Canada embraced DUPR for all sanctioned events in Canada to align with the global pickleball industry’s standard.
Task Team on Facility Development
Like other areas around the globe, Barry observed that Canada faces a court shortage, limiting player access and overall sport growth. To better assess and address this issue, Pickleball Canada late last year launched a Facility Task Team to develop resources that help members advocate for facility development in their communities. Community engagement is also the work of a 16-member Ambassador Program.
The events, systems, ambassador, and task force actions align with the organization’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan titled, “Advancing Pickleball for All, for Life,” and its top priorities:
Expanding and improving competitive pathways
Increasing member services (ratings, insurance, coaching, officiating)
Growing commercial partnerships.
For Barry, who has worked in amateur sport administration for over 30 years, the future of the sport in Canada is a professional and a leadership responsibility that he and his team embrace.
“As we move into the next phase of our development as an organization, Pickleball Canada remains committed to advancing the sport while preserving our roots,” Barry said. “The sport of pickleball does a wonderful job of providing competitive opportunities, but the appeal of pickleball is that it is so inviting.“
“This ease of entry and the sense of friendship and community that follows will continue to be nurtured at the club level, so we need to ensure that Pickleball Canada is positioned well to support those clubs and the members they serve. If we get it right, we have the potential to be the largest participation sport in Canada.”
About the Author: Laurel Nelson-Rowe is an independent contributor to Empower Pickleball. A longtime business technology and communications leader, she now runs LaurelComms, delivering content for corporate and non-profit partners. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her on the pickleball court, volunteering, or sharing stories on her Substack, My Life Adventurement.