Aussie Pickleball Stars Ace PPA and MLP Contracts, Set to Storm US Courts After Home Open
In a landmark move for Australian pickleball, Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis have signed exclusive contracts with the UPA, paving their way to compete in PPA Tour and MLP events. This marks the first time Australian players have secured such deals, signifying the growing professional pathways for elite players from Down Under. Before their anticipated departure for the United States in June 2025, both athletes are set to compete in the Proton Australia Pickleball Open in Melbourne.
This event, which starts January 28th (USA time) and is the first time the PPA Tour has ventured outside of the USA, is expected to draw top talent. The competition will feature a mix of American and Australian players, including Tyson McGuffin, Zane Navratil, and Jessie Irvine from the U.S., and Danni-Elle Townsend and Somer Dalla-Bona from Australia. The winners will earn crucial PPA points for the 2025 season. The tournament’s seeding is expected to be challenging due to many players lacking PPA points, which could lead to upsets. Evans and Spiridis's contracts with the UPA are a testament to their skill and potential and may encourage other Australian players to pursue careers in the US.
From Tennis Trauma to Pickleball Triumph: Roscoe Bellamy Finds Camaraderie on the Pro Circuit
After hip surgeries sidelined his tennis career, Roscoe Bellamy made a switch to professional pickleball, a move that has led to new challenges and friendships. Bellamy, who turned pro in 2023, quickly realized that his tennis background came with some disadvantages on the pickleball court, particularly bad stroke habits like large backswings and excessive wrist use. He had to unlearn these techniques to excel in his new sport. With the help of a coach, Bellamy has worked to eliminate those habits and elevate his pickleball game.
Bellamy also changed his mindset about the serve. In tennis, he used it to gain free points, but now views it as a key setup for his third shot in pickleball. This shift, combined with a paddle that generates a lot of spin, has enhanced his overall game. While he usually travels to tournaments solo, Bellamy has found a strong sense of camaraderie among fellow pros. Players like Hunter and Yates Johnson have taken him under their wing, providing support and creating a sense of community on the pro circuit. He now appreciates the friendships he has made, which help him stay sane while traveling for tournaments. Bellamy’s story highlights how athletes can overcome challenges and find success and community in new sports.
MLP Trade Bombshell: Hustlers Shake Up Roster, Sending Kawamoto and Klinger to New Teams
The New York Hustlers have made significant moves in the Major League Pickleball (MLP) trade window, sending shockwaves through the league. In a series of trades, the Hustlers have parted ways with key players, Jackie Kawamoto and CJ Klinger, who will be joining the DC Pickleball Team and Columbus Sliders, respectively.
The Hustlers acquired Vivian Glozman and cash considerations from DC in exchange for Kawamoto, while Riley Newman and cash considerations came from Columbus in the trade for Klinger. These trades not only impact the team rosters but also their finances, as the Hustlers now have to make decisions on whether to keep players like Jack Sock and Newman, who come with high keeper costs from the 2024 draft. The Hustlers will benefit financially from these trades, while also having to pay to retain their high draft picks from last year. The trades highlight the importance of financial strategy alongside on-court performance.
Meanwhile, DC hopes that the addition of Kawamoto will boost their women's doubles team, while the Sliders aim to improve their roster after finishing 11th in the 2024 regular season. These trades come before the February 15th deadline, and all teams are required to drop at least one player from their 2024 roster by February 16th, which could lead to further changes in the MLP landscape.
After 2024 Struggles, Columbus Sliders Swing for Success with Major Roster Move
The Columbus Sliders are looking to turn the page after an 11th-place finish in the 2024 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season by making a significant trade. The Sliders have acquired CJ Klinger from the New York Hustlers, adding a talented lefty to their roster. In return, the Hustlers received Riley Newman and cash considerations, showcasing the strategic manoeuvring happening within the league during the trade window. The Sliders are clearly aiming to improve their on-court performance for the upcoming season.
With Klinger on board, the Sliders' roster now consists of Klinger, Jay Devilliers, Parris Todd, and Callie Smith, a mix of experienced players and rising talent. This strategic move appears to be financially savvy as well, as the Sliders only need to pay a minimal $1,000 to keep Klinger, who was a late-round draft pick in 2024. This low cost allows them to maintain a flexible roster. In comparison, other teams are facing much larger costs to keep their high draft picks. The team is now in an interesting position, and will likely need to drop or trade either Devilliers or Smith, given that teams are required to drop one player before the February 16th keeper deadline.
This trade is indicative of the major roster moves being made by teams as they look to gain an advantage for the 2025 season.
Pickleball Courts Open at Stockton Heath, UK: Free Taster Sessions Available
The Stockton Heath tennis club in the UK has announced the opening of new pickleball courts, converted from two of their junior tennis courts. This exciting development offers a new opportunity for locals to try the fast-growing sport, with free taster sessions available for individuals and groups. The club's chair, Sue Hendry, inspired the change after playing the sport herself for two years and persuading a member to take a Pickleball Leaders course. The committee agreed to convert the underused courts due to the growing interest in pickleball.
Although the courts were completed in September, they will be actively promoted in the spring. The club has already established a loyal band of players and is looking to expand its reach by hosting taster sessions for interested groups. The club provides loaner paddles and balls so that participants only need to wear trainers and comfortable clothing. According to Sue Hendry, the transfer from tennis to pickleball is very easy, with many finding the sport fun and wanting to continue after the first taster session.
PPA Tour Goes Global: Australia Open Set to Launch With Top US and Aussie Talent
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour is set to make history with its first-ever international event, the Proton Australia Pickleball Open, in Melbourne, beginning January 28th (USA time). This event marks a significant step in the global expansion of pickleball and will feature a mix of top American and Australian players. The tournament will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The tournament is expected to draw a mix of talent, including notable American players such as Tyson McGuffin, Zane Navratil, Jessie Irvine, and others. They will be competing against top Australian players including Danni-Elle Townsend, Somer Dalla-Bona, and Joey Wild. The event is an open tournament, meaning the winners will earn valuable PPA points for the 2025 season. Seeding for the tournament is expected to be challenging, due to the fact that many players do not have any PPA points, which could result in early-round upsets. The broadcast schedule will be a bit complicated as Australia is a day ahead of the US.
This event also comes at a time when two Australian players, Tom Evans and Helena Spiridis, have signed exclusive contracts with the UPA to compete in PPA Tour and MLP events. These contracts are the first of their kind for Australian players and will help to grow the sport in Australia. The tournament will be a showcase of international pickleball talent, as well as a crucial opportunity for players to gain points and advance their careers.
Cape Breton Pickleball Club Nets $28K Donation, Becomes Anchor Tenant of New Multi-Sport Facility
The Pickleball Cape Breton club has received a significant boost, securing a donation of over $28,000 to become a founding member of the new Tomorrow’s Legends Arena in Sydney, a retrofitted multi-use facility that once housed the Centennial Arena. The donation, made by local Tim Hortons franchisees Troy Wilson and Karen Hatcher, was raised through the coffee chain’s Holiday cookie campaign. This contribution will allow the pickleball club to increase available court time, enabling more people to enjoy the sport.
The new facility, set to open in the fall of 2025, will house nine pickleball courts along with basketball and volleyball courts, and cheerleading facilities. The former arena was sold to the Tomorrow's Legends non-profit group for $1. The renovated building will also feature solar panels and a new exterior, reducing the building’s fuel consumption by 104 percent. Alan Peddle, director of Pickleball Cape Breton, expressed his enthusiasm about the sponsorship, highlighting that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in North America.
This development reflects the rapidly growing popularity of pickleball, with a 2022 poll showing one million Canadians playing monthly. The new facility will help the club further grow the sport in the area, with construction slated to be completed by March 31, 2026. This major donation will allow the club to become an anchor tenant, securing a space for the sport to flourish.
More Than Just a Game: Pickleball's Surprising Links to Relationship Success
Pickleball, the fast-growing sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, is not only good for physical health but also appears to have surprising benefits for relationships. According to a recent article in Psychology Today, pickleball's core principles align with key factors that contribute to successful and lasting romantic relationships.
The article suggests that the skills learned on the court, such as understanding the rules and boundaries, effective positioning, communication, and teamwork, directly mirror the dynamics of a healthy partnership. For example, the "non-volley zone," or "kitchen," is a metaphor for avoiding specific negative behaviours during conflicts, while "dinking" parallels how couples should learn to communicate in ways that their partner understands best.
The article also makes a connection between pickleball and Rusbult’s Investment Model, which examines the factors behind enduring relationships. These factors include satisfaction level, minimal comparison with alternatives, and investment size. Pickleball fosters fun, coordination between partners, and the ability to track progress, all of which mirror time and energy investments in relationships. Additionally, maintenance mechanisms like accommodation, willingness to sacrifice, forgiveness, positive illusions, and ridiculing alternatives are essential to both pickleball and successful relationships. Finally, the Gottman Method for enhancing relationships through building love maps, turning towards each other, and managing conflict, can be applied to the pickleball court, highlighting the sport's unexpected link to relationship health.