Canadian Draft shakes up league, power to Powys and mixed semis sorted in Cary

Good morning, pickleballers!

Where has this week gone, I ask you? It is very much in the rearview mirror.

Now, in case you missed it, we launched the April World Pickleball Magazine yesterday - you really should get yourself a copy and you can do that by clicking on the cover image below. That'll take you to the page that will tell you everything you need to know about how amazing it is.

Now you have done that, you can crack on and read today's global pickleball news!

Fraser Valley Pickleball Phenom Traded Baseball Bat for Paddle, Now Vancouver Rush Recruit

Chilliwack, BC, Canada – Former University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Cascades baseball player Caelan Sampson's athletic journey has taken a successful turn into the world of pickleball, culminating in his drafting by the Vancouver Rush in the fifth round of the Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) draft. A resident of Chilliwack and a regular in the Abbotsford pickleball scene, Sampson was the first pick of round five for the Rush.

The CNPL's draft for its third season, typically running from May to August, was streamed live on YouTube on Tuesday (April 2). Draft hosts lauded Sampson as a "great pick," noting his past playing experience with the Rush's third-round selection, Armaan Jiwa Mawji. Draft co-host Andrew Gorman described Sampson as "amazingly good, very athletic, very, very quick and dynamic".

Sampson, a 2016 graduate of Chilliwack Secondary School, has already made his mark in the sport, representing Canada at the 2024 Pickleball World Cup in Peru. He also secured a national doubles title in Regina in 2023. Expressing his enthusiasm, Sampson stated on Facebook, "Super excited for the upcoming CNPL season. Can’t wait to represent Vancouver". The Vancouver Rush will compete against teams such as the Toronto United Pickleball Club, the Prairie Pronghorns, and the Montreal Lions in the 2025 CNPL season. Sampson is a familiar face at the Abbotsford pickleball scene and has previously competed at the TopSpin Pickleball Club.

MLP Australia Round One Results Roundup

In an exciting opening round at MLP Australia in Tweed Heads, teams set the pace with thrilling matches across multiple categories.

Asia Aces edged out Gold Coast Glory in Women's Doubles (26-24), Mixed Doubles 1 (22-20), and Men's Doubles (21-19), but Glory managed a close victory in Mixed Doubles 2 (24-22).

Sydney Smash overcame an early deficit against New Zealand Hustle, recovering strongly in the Mixed Doubles rounds and Dreambreaker to secure a 3-2 overall win, despite Hustle dominating both Men's (21-13) and Women's Doubles (22-20).

Southern Stars rallied impressively after dropping Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles 1 to defeat Eastern Rush. Strong performances in Men's Doubles (21-19), Mixed Doubles 2 (21-16), and Dreambreaker (21-16) secured their victory.

Bondi Pickleball Club showcased dominance with a clean sweep over Western Vipers, comfortably winning all their matches across Men's Doubles (21-13), Women's Doubles (22-20), and both Mixed Doubles encounters.

Brisbane Breakers had a tough battle against the Mavericks, highlighted by a marathon Women's Doubles match (28-26), eventually taking all four matchups.

Finally, the Northern Crocs secured a strong win against South East Asia Surge, highlighted by decisive victories in Women's Doubles (21-13), Mixed Doubles 1 (22-20), and Dreambreaker (21-12).

These gripping contests set a high standard and promise more exciting action as the tournament progresses.

Asia's Pickleball Revolution Begins: UPA Unveils Inaugural Trailblazers

Asia – The United Pickleball Association (UPA) Asia has announced its first-ever class of pickleball trailblazers, comprising 12 members who will participate in the inaugural UPA Asia Trailblazers Programme Class of 2025. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Major League Pickleball (MLP) Asia, demonstrating their commitment to establishing pickleball as a leading sport across the Asian continent. The program's primary goal is to identify promising professional talent in Asia and nurture them into national icons.

The 12 trailblazers hail from various countries including Malaysia (Jimmy Liong, Mia Athilla), Vietnam (Ken Tam, Sophia Tran), Singapore (Ryan Ng), Chinese Taipei (Jamie Wei, Hseih Chen-An), Macau (Marco Leung), China (Liu Longsheng, Yufei Long), Korea (Kim Eunggwon), and Japan (Mayu Ito).

Kimberly Koh, Managing Director of UPA Asia, emphasized that the program aims to elevate the competitiveness and recognition of Asian talent, ensure the creation of localized content, and enhance pickleball as a professional spectator sport. Furthermore, the program provides a high-performance pathway through the integrated PPA and MLP system, fostering partnerships that connect the United States and Asia. The selected trailblazers will receive an all-expenses-paid 90-day training in the US, focusing on fitness, skill development, and preparation for the professional level, including participation in PPA tournaments. Upon successful completion of the program, UPA Asia will offer these athletes a two-year professional contract, including at least 10 events annually in Asia, the US, and Australia. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for young Asian pickleball players to grow professionally and potentially become national figures.

Bright and Staksrud Survive Second-Set Scare to Storm into Veolia Open Semis

Cary, NC, USA – The newly formed mixed doubles team of Anna Bright and Federico Staksrud has advanced to the semifinals of the Veolia North Carolina Open after a hard-fought victory over No. 7 seeds Jessie Irvine and Gabe Tardio. The No. 4 seeds secured the win with an 11-3, 8-11, 11-5 scoreline in their first tournament together.

Bright and Staksrud appeared to be on the verge of a straight-set victory after dominating the first game and taking an 8-2 lead in the second. However, Irvine and Tardio mounted a remarkable comeback, scoring the next nine points to clinch the second game and force a decisive third set. In the final game, Bright and Staksrud regained their initial momentum, securing a comfortable 11-5 victory to book their place in the semifinals on Saturday.

Staksrud attributed their recovery in the third game to energy, noting that their energy levels might have dipped even during their early lead in the second set. Bright, who recently returned from a trip to Vietnam and China to participate in the JOOLA Pickleball Legends Tour, acknowledged the challenges of competing immediately upon her return. "I think I played pretty well, all things considered, but I’m feeling very tired, a little jittery, and a little weak," she admitted. Despite these challenges, she expressed relief and optimism about improving each day. Bright and Staksrud are now set to face the top seeds, Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns, in their semifinal match.

DoorDash Delivers Major League Pickleball's New Name and Exclusive Perks

New York, NY, USA – Major League Pickleball (MLP) has announced a significant multi-year official league title sponsorship with DoorDash, rebranding the coed team league as MLP presented by DoorDash. The partnership was revealed in a social media video featuring MLP team owners Dude Perfect, along with players Anna Bright of the St. Louis Shock and Tyson McGuffin of the Phoenix Flames.

George Killebrew, UPA Chief Revenue Officer, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are delighted to welcome DoorDash as Major League Pickleball’s official naming rights partner...Pickleball and DoorDash will become synonymous through this collaborative partnership". Renaldo Chapman, Vice President, Brand & Creative at DoorDash, echoed this sentiment, saying, "MLP presented by DoorDash is all about bringing fans even closer to the game, and throughout our partnership, we’ll deliver exclusive experiences, unique perks, and unforgettable moments that celebrate the sport’s rapid rise and strong sense of community".

As part of the sponsorship, the DoorDash logo will feature on all official MLP team uniforms and behind both baselines at all league events. DoorDash and MLP will also collaborate on various unique activations, including DashPass exclusive offers such as free pickles (with promo code PICKLE on grocery orders of $12+ through April 15), VIP seat upgrades, and gift cards at MLP events. Additionally, all MLP events will have a branded “DoorDash Drop-Off Zone” for easy on-site food delivery. DoorDash will also be the official title sponsor of the 2025 MLP Finals NYC, scheduled to take place in Central Park. The 2025 MLP season will commence with all 16 Premier Level teams competing in Orlando, FL, from April 24-27.

From Grand Cayman to Welshpool: Pickleball Club Aims to Ace Powys

Welshpool, Powys, Wales – A new community sports group is bringing the increasingly popular sport of pickleball to the Powys area with the launch of a club in Welshpool. Founders Mark and Julia Jones are establishing the club at the Flash Leisure Centre, building on their successful experience of introducing pickleball to Shropshire over the past year.

The club's inaugural meeting at the Flash on April 7th has already sold out, indicating strong local interest in the low-impact paddle sport. Sessions will be held every Monday at 6 pm. Mark Jones recounted their introduction to the sport during a visit to their daughter in Grand Cayman, where over 9,000 registered pickleball players reside. "After just a few games we couldn’t get enough of it," he said.

For Mark, a former badminton player sidelined by an ACL tear, pickleball proved to be "ideal...as a more accessible, low impact sport that still offered a lot of physical exercise. It’s a good workout while not being too hard on the joints". He also highlighted the mental and strategic aspects of the game, describing it as a "great mental workout as well as a physical one". Upon returning to the UK, Mark and Julia joined Oswestry Leisure Centre and proposed starting a pickleball club there. The Oswestry club quickly grew to over 100 members within a few months, leading to the establishment of tournaments and clubs in other areas. Mark emphasized that pickleball is an "accessible, inclusive sport that can be played by teenagers or pensioners," noting the sociability and ease of learning the game.

CNPL Draft Shakes Up League: Teen Prodigy, International Stars, and Familiar Faces Chosen

Toronto, ON, Canada – The 2025 Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) draft has concluded, showcasing a blend of returning talent, international players, and rising stars, including a notably young selection. The Vancouver Rush, holding the first overall pick, selected Christina Chin, a highly decorated player with national and international achievements. Draft commentators Andrew Gorman and Victor Chan provided insights throughout the live-streamed event, highlighting the strategic decisions behind each team's picks.

The draft saw three new teams – the Northern Lights Pickle Ball Club, the Detroit Windsor Drive, and the London Smash – making their inaugural selections. Notably, the London Smash retained Jessica Kawamoto and Ryan Torrrenson, a top doubles team from the previous season. The draft pool this year was exceptionally deep, featuring numerous free agents and impressive newcomers from both Canada and the United States. For the first time, the CNPL draft was open to international players and players under 18, adding a new dimension to team compositions.

Key picks included Lucas Wong by the Northern Lights, Wes Gabrielson by the Detroit Windsor Drive (the first US player drafted), and Brad Chapman by the Prairie Pronghorns. The draft also saw the selection of Anna Diachenko by the Vancouver Rush in the second round and Joel Peltier by the Northern Lights. A significant moment was the Montreal Lions' selection of 13-year-old Stevie Petropolis from Florida, marking the league's first under-18 player. The draft concluded with each of the eight teams filling their rosters, setting the stage for an anticipated and competitive 2025 CNPL season.