Major League Pickleball Australia Unveils : Major League Pickleball fans in Australia gathered for an exciting live update on a Friday afternoon from the Gold Coast. Sam Scharter, the lead commissioner for Major League Pickleball Australia and the PPA Tour Australia, addressed the audience with enthusiasm and made the announcement on instagram live.
Reflecting on Season One
Many fans were eager to learn about the latest developments in the league. Scharter acknowledged the remarkable success of the 2024 season, during which season one champions were crowned for both the PPA and MMP. She highlighted the achievements of the champions, offering a shout-out to Richard Graves from Sydney, who finished as the points champion for the PPA Tour. “Congrats to finishing number one in season one for our PPA Tour,” Scharter noted.
She also congratulated Amelia Schmidt from Queensland for securing the top position among the ladies in season one, recognizing the fierce competition they both faced during the three events. “You had some absolute fierce competition over the three events in season one,” she added.
Onward to Season Two
As the league transitioned into season two on the Gold Coast just a few weeks ago, Scharter noted the excitement surrounding the Southeast Asia surge, marking the first time a team from that region had won an event. “It was fantastic for the sport to see Southeast Asia surge and a new team at the top,” she expressed.
She recalled the Northern Crocs’ dominance in MLPA season one, where they won two out of three events and captured the overall season championship. “It’s sort of spinning up a little bit,” Scharter remarked, highlighting the anticipation for upcoming events in Vietnam and Melbourne.
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Looking Ahead to 2025
With 2025 on the horizon, Scharter shared key announcements that fans were eagerly awaiting. She reassured viewers that even if they missed the live update, they could catch the highlights on social media in the days to come. “Major League Pickleball is the most fun you can have on a day,” she emphasized, setting the stage for the exciting changes ahead.
Highlighting the involvement of 48 pro athletes this year and the upcoming MLP master competition in November, Scharter noted, “We’ve had so much amazing feedback that, guys, we’ve got to bring more to you for 2025.”
Introducing New Formats and Opportunities
For 2025, Scharter introduced the new Major League Pickleball Australia Premier, Major League Pickleball Australia Challenger, and Major League Pickleball Australia Masters. The announcement took a breath away as she revealed that an additional 64 pro athletes would join Major League Pickleball Australia, expanding beyond the existing 12 Premier teams.
“Major League Pickleball is coming to you. So get out there, get training,” Scharter encouraged. The new format would include eight Challenger teams from Australia and New Zealand, along with eight Masters teams for athletes aged 50 and over.
The Challenger levels would mirror the Australian teams, providing opportunities for athletes in the Challenger and Masters series. Those fortunate enough to be drafted would participate in six stops throughout 2025, where all 28 Major League Pickleball teams would compete alongside PPA tour professionals.
A Busy Year Ahead
The 2025 calendar promises to be packed with events, and Scharter hinted that the locations would be unveiled soon. “Every single team is gonna be playing every single event,” she assured, ensuring a thrilling year ahead for fans and players alike.
With the expanded participation, Scharter announced increased prize money, exceeding $1 million for the upcoming year. “We’re gonna be hitting a little over a million dollars next year for prize money for you guys,” she declared, which is set to elevate the competition and excitement surrounding Major League Pickleball Australia.
News in Brief: Major League Pickleball Australia Unveils
Major League Pickleball Australia is abuzz with excitement as it wraps up its 2024 season and looks forward to 2025. Lead Commissioner Sam Scharter announced major expansions, including new Premier, Challenger, and Masters leagues, which will bring in an additional 64 pro athletes.
Season one champions Richard Graves and Amelia Schmidt were recognized for their outstanding performances. With plans for six stops next year, every team will participate in all events, promising heightened competition and prize money exceeding $1 million. This announcement marks a transformative year for pickleball enthusiasts in Australia.
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