Evan Hollinsky Turns Pro Pickleball Player: Evan Hollinsky, a 21-year-old from Tecumseh, has officially become a professional pickleball player. He was recently drafted by the Detroit-Windsor Drive, a team in the Canadian National Pickleball League. The team will compete this Saturday in London against the Southwestern Ontario Brewers.
Hollinsky’s pickleball journey started by chance. He first tried the sport at Central Park while visiting for a different activity.
“I went to Central Park one time for the Clip N Climb. Stumbled upon the pickleball courts there. Thought I’d give it a try and fell in love with it right away.” – (Hollinsky)
From Tryouts to Team Roster
To get into the league, Hollinsky had to attend tryouts in London.
“We had tryouts in London over a month ago, where the scouts would come, they’d watch us play, and they dictated who they wanted to draft from there.” – (Hollinsky)
Now part of the Detroit-Windsor Drive, Hollinsky joins five other players on the team. The league works like many other sports leagues, with games leading up to playoffs.
“It’s like a regular season, how normal sports are played. You play each team and you get points, and then you make it to the playoffs and then there’s the finals.” – (Hollinsky)
Pickleball Rise in Windsor-Essex
Pickleball is growing fast across the Windsor-Essex region. In the past three and a half years, Windsor has built 28 new pickleball courts. A new facility, Pickleplex, also recently opened.
“We’re responding and we’re going to continue to build these courts, and include these, these features and amenities in the parks across the city as we go forward.” – (Councillor Kieran McKenzie)
More courts are being planned in Essex and Amherstburg. Local pickleball groups are helping these efforts. “We really owe a lot of gratitude to the Tecumseh Pickleball Association,” said Linda DiPasquale, vice chair of the Amherstburg Pickleball Association.
“They have been amazing in helping pave the way for our journey to get our eight brand new courts.” – (Linda DiPasquale)
Building Toward Regional Competition
There is also growing interest in starting local tournaments and leagues where towns compete against each other. “It would be a lot of fun,” said Laurie Howie, organizer of a women’s league in Tecumseh.
“All of the associations in Essex County are getting bigger and growing, so there’s definitely a call for it. It’s got to be time soon.” – (Laurie Howie)
Players are eager to get involved in more structured games between towns.
“Each organization has to approve the league first and then they have to start to organize it so maybe it’s time, but it may not happen as soon as we would hope.” – (Pat McGivney)
News in Brief: Evan Hollinsky Turns Pro Pickleball Player
Evan Hollinsky of Tecumseh has turned pro after being drafted by the Detroit-Windsor Drive in the Canadian National Pickleball League. As local players rise, Windsor-Essex continues building courts. With strong community support and rising interest, the region may soon see town-versus-town pickleball competitions and organized leagues.
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