Good morning pickleballers!
Wednesday already as we approach the halfway point of February. How is your month going so far? Is it more of a 0-8-2 situation or are you cruising at 9-1-1?
Yesterday we announced the second World Pickleball Magazine - with a big World Pickleball League in India influence.
Today, we can announce that we have secured an interview with one of YouTube's hottest pickleball stars for the March issue - who can do the maths of "YouTube + WPBL" and come up with the correct answer?
Joe James delved deeper into the FUNDERBALL charity event being played at Niagara Falls - you can read all about this good cause here.
And I, as ever, have today's PKLBulletin for you.
GoRally Nets $750K to Expand Pickleball and Padel Across India
Bengaluru-based GoRally, a pickleball chain, has secured $750,000 in pre-seed funding to fuel its expansion across India. The funding round was led by Sujeet Kumar, with participation from Mohit Kumar and other key investors.
GoRally plans to use the proceeds to scale its operations to eight centres with 40 pickleball and padel courts by April 2025. This includes the launch of GoRally Whitefield, a 40,000 sq ft indoor arena. Currently, GoRally operates four centres in Bengaluru with 15 courts, including a 15,000 sq. ft. indoor facility and a community of 4000 on Whatsapp.
Founded last year by Sam Sancheti and Abhinav Shankar, GoRally aims to tap into the recreational sports boom anchored by Pickleball and Padel. The company plans to launch a tech platform this month to streamline the community experience and expand its coaching services. GoRally also intends to grow its equipment retail business, distributing brands like Joola.
Beyond Bengaluru, GoRally intends to strategically partner and expand to other major cities like Delhi and Chennai later this year.
Wilmington Club to Add Pickleball Paradise: 20 Courts, Bar, and More Approved
The Club at Midtown in Wilmington is set to expand its recreational offerings after receiving unanimous approval from the council following a quasi-judicial hearing. The expansion will transform the existing Holly Tree Racquet and Swim Club into a premier private facility with access capped at 800 memberships.
Plans include a significant upgrade to the current facilities, converting eight outdoor tennis courts into pickleball courts and adding ten indoor pickleball courts, resulting in a total of 20 courts dedicated to the sport. The project will also feature a resort-style lap pool and saunas in a new pool house, as well as an upscale restaurant and bar in the renovated clubhouse. Golf simulators and a game room will also be added.
To address potential noise concerns from the pickleball courts, the developers will install sound-deadening mats along the fencing perimeter of the outdoor courts and awnings to contain the sound. Outdoor play will be restricted to between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and quiet paddles will be required. No tournament play is allowed on outdoor pickleball courts.
The expansion also includes upgraded parking facilities to accommodate the increase in members. The club is located at 4950 Holly Tree Road and 340 Westchester Road and is positioned among a suburban neighbourhood, with two entrances planned to access it.
Pickleheads Scores $2.5M to Connect Pickleball Players and Conquer Court Shortages
Pickleheads, a platform designed to connect pickleball players and organize games, has successfully raised $2.5 million in a seed round, as it aims to address the increasing demand for court access. The funding round was led by Atlanta-based venture capital firm Overline, with contributions from Ardent, Oregon Sports Angels, and other investors.
As pickleball's popularity surges, Pickleheads aims to solve the growing problem of court shortages and long wait times. The platform provides a directory of nearby courts and games tailored to players' skill levels through its app.
Pickleheads is evolving into a comprehensive platform to power recreational play. With the new funding, it will expand its features, allowing organizers to set up games, collect payments, run round-robins, and recruit players from its network.
The company plans to use the investment to further enhance the on-court experience for players, with Overline noting that Pickleheads is revolutionizing how pickleball players connect and engage with the sport. Pickleheads currently helps over 35 million Americans find partners and courts to play pickleball.
Finally, a Pickleball Emoji! Apple's New Genmoji Lets You Create Your Own
Pickleball enthusiasts can rejoice as Apple introduces Genmoji, a new feature that allows users to design custom pickleball emojis. This arrives as the popularity of pickleball continues to surge.
The absence of an official pickleball emoji has been a point of frustration for many players. With Genmoji, iPhone users can now create personalized digital images to represent their favorite sport. By typing a description like "Pickleball," artificial intelligence generates a Genmoji that resembles a wooden paddle with a green wiffle ball, or a red paddle hitting a ball over a brown net.
While some AI-generated images may appear wonky, the feature offers a fun and creative way to express one's love for pickleball. Currently in beta for iPhones 15 or higher, Genmoji marks a step towards an official pickleball emoji.
Despite some images showing odd interpretations, such as pickleballs splattering like liquid, the feature captures the spirit of the game. Players can now share their passion for pickleball through unique and personalized emojis, enhancing their digital communication.
Vancouver Artist Designs Stunning West Coast Pickleball Paddle for Canadian Company Dinko
Vancouver-based artist Sarah Church has partnered with Toronto's Dinko Paddles to create a unique pickleball paddle showcasing the beauty of the West Coast. The design aims to inspire national pride and offer Canadian consumers more paddle design options. The paddle's design features a snow-capped mountain overlooking a river, a green valley, evergreens, and flowers, capturing the "rugged beauty" of British Columbia's coastal forests, ocean views, and mountains.
Dinko plans to launch Church's paddle as early as February 21st. Dinko's founder, Alvina Lu, met Church while attending Brock University. Lu aims to foster community through sport and support local artists and causes.
Church presented three concepts, ultimately selecting the landscape illustration. Two versions of the paddle will be available, one featuring the mountain peak under the Dinko logo, and the other showcasing a Pacific Dogflower. The project will support ArtStarts in Schools and the Galiano Conservancy Association. Dinko hopes the design inspires others to explore the outdoors. Church, though new to pickleball, hopes to improve her skills.
MLP Blockbuster Trade: McGuffin and Dizon Head to Phoenix, Frazier and Schneemann Join Orlando
Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced a significant trade for the 2025 season, with Tyson McGuffin and Meghan Dizon heading to the Phoenix Flames (formerly AZ Drive), while Dylan Frazier and Lacy Schneemann will join the Orlando Squeeze. The trade also includes cash considerations for Phoenix.
Here's a breakdown of the updated team rosters:
- Orlando: Federico Staksrud, Vivienne David, Dylan Frazier, Lacy Schneemann
- Phoenix: Andrei Daescu, Jessie Irvine, Tyson McGuffin, Meghan Dizon
This trade significantly impacts both teams' dynamics. For Orlando, the addition of Frazier and Schneemann creates strong potential in both men’s and women’s doubles. Frazier and Staksrud could form a top-tier men’s doubles team, while David and Schneemann have a history of success together. Phoenix gains a powerful men’s doubles player in McGuffin, who previously had a strong showing with Daescu at the 2024 PPA Finals. Dizon, though having a tough 2024 season, remains a valuable Premier-level player and has previously won mixed doubles medals with both Daescu and McGuffin. Both teams must declare their keepers and drop at least one player by February 16th.
MLP 2025: Only UPA Players Allowed, Teams Face Keeper Deadline
Major League Pickleball (MLP) is implementing a significant rule change for the 2025 season: only players with UPA contracts are eligible to compete. This shift impacts team rosters and strategies as they approach the upcoming season.
Teams must also drop at least one player from their 2024 roster ahead of the free agency drafts scheduled for March 2 (Premier) and March 3 (Challenger). To retain players, teams must pay MLP half of the cost of selecting the player in the 2024 draft. Undrafted players or those taken in the Challenger level draft have a keeper cost of $0.
These changes add a layer of complexity to team management. For instance, the recent trade between the Orlando Squeeze and Phoenix Flames saw players like Tyson McGuffin, Meghan Dizon, Dylan Frazier, and Lacy Schneemann switch teams. Now, both teams face decisions about which players to keep based on performance, cost, and team dynamics. The keeper deadline is set for February 16th at 6 p.m. CT.
SQAIRZ Steps onto the Pickleball Court with Zane Navratil as New Brand Ambassador
SQAIRZ, known for its performance-based athletic footwear, is entering the pickleball market with Zane Navratil, a multiple-time champion, as its brand ambassador. Navratil's expertise was key in developing the new SQAIRZ XRZ™ pickleball shoe.
Navratil, celebrated for his court strategy and technical skills, helped refine the XRZ shoe's features, including lateral support and the Smart Traction outsole. According to Navratil, the right footwear significantly impacts performance.
The XRZ pickleball shoe offers stability, comfort, and durability tailored for pickleball's demands. SQAIRZ believes footwear is a critical tool for athletic performance, combining biomechanics with player insights to empower athletes.
SQAIRZ Founder and CEO Robert Winskowicz said Navratil's contributions to the XRZ design were invaluable.
West Coast Pickleball Heats Up: APP Sacramento Open Just 15 Days Away!
Pickleball enthusiasts are gearing up for the 2025 APP Sacramento Open, set to begin on February 26th, marking the Association of Pickleball Players' (APP) return to the West Coast.
Following the recent 2025 Vlasic Classic - Daytona Beach, where players like Chris Haworth, Jack Munro, and Megan Fudge showcased their skills, the Sacramento Open promises more high-level competition. Sofia Sewing, who recently won her first women's pro singles title, is also one to watch.
The APP Sacramento Open is scheduled to start in just 15 days. APPTV will provide streaming coverage on both Championship Court and the Players Court during the event.