Anna Dyachenko Drafted by Vancouver Rush in CNPL 2025
What's the Score?
Anna Dyachenko, a 36-year-old pickleball player from Regina, Canada, has been drafted into the professional ranks, selected by the Vancouver Rush in the second round of the 2025 Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) draft. Dyachenko, a former semi-pro basketball player, brings significant competitive experience, including national gold medals, to the CNPL, which aims to bring together Canada's top pickleball talent.
Hit it deeper!
The Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL), established in 2023 to consolidate the nation's best players, has added Regina's Anna Dyachenko to its ranks. Dyachenko, aged 36, was chosen in the second round of the 2025 CNPL draft by the Vancouver Rush, one of the league's eight teams. The 2025 CNPL season is scheduled to commence on Saturday with a match between the Vancouver Rush and the Montreal Lions.
Speaking about her selection, Dyachenko expressed her excitement and commitment, stating, "I’m going to be dedicating time to practice and training to make sure that I am as ready as I can be". She also acknowledged the mental aspect of the game, anticipating the challenge of competing against so many skilled players simultaneously, but views it as an opportunity to improve.
Dyachenko's athletic background includes playing semi-pro basketball for Royal Holloway University. She was born in Kazakhstan and moved to Regina after meeting her husband in Europe. Her pickleball journey began 11 years ago while visiting family in Phoenix. Initially playing recreationally for about six years, she transitioned to the competitive side about four years ago and has since won numerous gold medals, including at Canadian nationals. Simultaneously with her competitive play, she began coaching, sharing her growing expertise.
Dyachenko attributes her initial attraction to pickleball to its accessibility, noting that you can pick it up quickly and learn the basics in under 20 minutes. However, she emphasises that getting better competitively requires significant practice and skill. She also deeply values the social aspect of the sport, which helped her meet many people after moving to Regina. She has witnessed the sport's local growth, from a small group at leisure centres to its explosion in popularity and the creation of facilities like the Regina Pickleball Hub.
Regarding the CNPL itself, Dyachenko mentioned she was invited to participate in the inaugural season but declined due to responsibilities with her young child. She decided to join this year as a "great opportunity to see the best of the best in Canada". The league now provides paid travel for athletes, and teams compete for prize money in the final playoff event. Dyachenko also highlighted the sport's rapid growth and the decreasing average age of players, noting that the youngest player drafted this season is 13 years old.
The World Pickleball Verdict
Anna Dyachenko's drafting into the Canadian National Pickleball League is a testament to her skill and dedication, showcasing the opportunities now available to top Canadian players on a national stage. Her journey from a former basketball player to a competitive pickleball athlete who started recreationally underscores the sport's accessibility and its potential for late-career athletic transitions. The CNPL, by drafting players like Dyachenko and covering travel costs, is actively working to centralise talent and create a truly national competitive environment, addressing the challenge of Canada's vast geography. Dyachenko's excitement reflects the significance of this development for players aspiring to compete at the highest level within Canada. Her perspective on the sport's ease of entry coupled with the dedication required to excel, and its strong social element, highlights key factors driving pickleball's exploding popularity across North America.