In the past few years, Pickleball Canada has seen tremendous growth in membership numbers. At the end of 2024 Pickleball Canada had a 25% increase in new members from the year before ending with over 88,000 members. Most recently Pickleball Canada, a National Sport Organization (NSO) and member of the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), is proud to announce that it has officially been granted “Funding Eligible” status as by Sport Canada.
This significant milestone marks the culmination of a multi-year process involving collaborative efforts between Pickleball Canada’s board members, staff, and numerous volunteers across various committees, working groups, and task teams that have built the organizational structure and procedures. The organization submitted its comprehensive application in December 2024, which encompassed the full scope of its operations and governance.
“This recognition is a testament to the collective commitment and hard work of everyone involved in the development of Pickleball Canada,” said Pickleball Canada President Val Vollmin. “We are thrilled to see our efforts acknowledged and to be moving forward as an officially recognized NSO.”
As part of the next steps, Pickleball Canada will receive a detailed scorecard from the review process, which will provide valuable guidance toward further refining the organization’s governance structure and shaping the continued refinement necessary in the application Government of Canada funding for the 2026 fiscal year. This process is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2025.
In addition to national implications, this designation also opens new doors for Pickleball Canada’s Provincial and Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs), many of which require NSO recognition as a prerequisite for eligibility for provincial and territorial government funding.
About Pickleball Canada
Pickleball Canada is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in Canada. The Canadian Pickleball Association was established in 2009 and then incorporated as Pickleball Canada in 2011. The organization works to promote and develop the sport at all levels, from grassroots to high-performance. Their mission is to promote the growth and development of pickleball across the country by providing leadership, resources, and opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball Canada is responsible for the coordination and delivery of pickleball events across the country, including the National and Regional Championships, which brings together top players from across Canada to compete for the title of national champion. With a growing number of players and clubs across the country, pickleball is Canada’s fastest growing sport and Pickleball Canada is at the forefront of this exciting movement. For more information, please contact info@pickleballcanada.org or visit pickleballcanada.org
ABOUT GLOBAL PICKLEBALL FEDERATION (GPF)
The GPF is the world governing body for pickleball, serving as a not-for-profit organization focused on the integrity and development of pickleball globally – from grassroots to recreational and high-performance levels. GPF’s unifying function, structure, and board are aligned with pickleball’s established continental federations and a valued volunteer network engaged in growing the sport worldwide. The GPF’s ethical framework and by-laws will ultimately lead the sport of pickleball to International Olympic Committee recognition and inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The constant interplay between the GPF with its respective continental and national federations ensures uniform rules, regulations, standards, and the ability to swiftly implement best practices. For more info, visit https://globalpickleballfederation.org/
Published August 13, 2025
