Danni Townsend has laughed off social media speculation following her move to Dallas, a New Zealand grandmother is heading to the World Cup, and teams in both MLP and the CNPL continue to reshape their line-ups as the season moves deeper into summer.

  • Dallas Flash newcomer Danni Townsend has dismissed rumours of a rift with Paris Todd following her trade.
  • Sixty-four-year-old Ruth Hall will represent New Zealand at the Pickleball World Cup just four years after taking up the sport.
  • Brooklyn and St Louis remain unbeaten in MLP St Petersburg, while Detroit-Windsor have made midseason changes in the CNPL.

Townsend laughs off trade speculation

Danni Townsend has brushed aside online rumours suggesting she was traded from the Columbus Sliders because of a poor relationship with teammate Paris Todd.

Speaking after finishing a final, Townsend said suggestions that the pair disliked each other were simply untrue, describing Todd as one of her “best buds” and laughing at the social media sleuthing that attempted to connect the deal with off-court tensions.

The move sent Townsend to the Dallas Flash as part of the transaction that brought Tyra Black to Columbus. Townsend noted that she had already partnered three different players in three events during her brief spell with the Sliders, illustrating just how fluid roster construction has become in Major League Pickleball.

The trade itself may not alter the title picture significantly, but the reaction around it demonstrates how quickly speculation can take hold in professional pickleball, particularly as fans become increasingly invested in player movement.

Four years after picking up a paddle, Ruth Hall is heading to the World Cup

Ruth Hall will represent New Zealand’s Masters team at the Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang after only four years in the sport.

The 64-year-old has built an impressive training environment at home, installing two outdoor courts and a programmable ball launcher to help refine her two-handed backhand.

Hall regularly competes in open events against players decades younger and narrowly missed a medal at the recent New Zealand Open. Her selection offers a reminder that pickleball continues to provide competitive pathways that remain unusual within traditional sports.

Hall’s story resonates because it is not merely about participation. It is about progression. International honours remain achievable for players who discover the sport later in life and commit to developing their game.

Brooklyn and St Louis continue to set the pace in St Petersburg

The MLP season continues to develop familiar themes, with Brooklyn Pickleball Team leading Group A at 3-0 and the LA Mad Drops sitting close behind at 2-0.

In Group B, St Louis Shock remain unbeaten at 3-0 heading into Super Sunday, where the winner of the group winners’ showdown will collect an additional 25 standings points.

At this stage of the campaign, standings provide more information than certainty, but Brooklyn and St Louis increasingly look like two of the league’s deepest rosters.

Detroit-Windsor reshuffles ahead of Guelph

The Detroit-Windsor Drive have adjusted their squad ahead of the Canadian National Pickleball League’s C4 Midseason Event in Guelph, bringing in Miles Hoover and Jordann Vigna to replace Stevie Petropouleas and Jamie Carmichael.

Midseason roster moves remain relatively uncommon in pickleball compared with established North American sports, but teams are becoming more willing to make difficult decisions in pursuit of stronger second-half performances.

The changes come as the CNPL continues to establish its own identity within the professional landscape north of the border, complementing wider conversations about national representation that WPM explored in its recent analysis of Canada’s World Cup divide.

Additional information on the Canadian National Pickleball League and its 2026 season can be found on the official CNPL website.

Further Reading

Photo of Chris Beaumont

Chris Beaumont

Founder and Editor-in-Chief
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Beaumont is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of World Pickleball Magazine. Chris follows the global game closely, reporting on the latest news, developments, stories and tournaments from all five continents. He also hosts the World Pickleball Podcast, interviewing people at…

View All Articles →