Midland Area Pickleball Club’s Growth: Pickleball is growing fast and attracting players of all ages, not just seniors. The Midland Area Pickleball club (MAP) in Canada has seen a big rise in interest, especially after COVID-19. With 185 members and over 200 people waiting to join, the club works hard to find places to play and keep the sport fun and active for everyone.
“As a full member you could potentially play seven days a week.” – (Erica Hoogerbeets)
Growing Interest and Club Challenges
Erica Hoogerbeets, secretary of MAP, says many people still joke about the sport being only for older adults. But a 2025 Canadian survey shows most new players are aged 35 to 54. MAP keeps its membership affordable at $125 a year and offers many chances to play, including up to seven days a week.
“It gets a lot of jokes because they associate it with seniors only.” – (Erica Hoogerbeets)
Finding space to play is a challenge, especially in winter when the club uses school gyms and the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre. In warmer months, players enjoy outdoor courts at McGuire Park and Tiffin Park. Hoogerbeets explains they leave public outdoor courts open to everyone but reserve some spaces for competitive play.
“After COVID suddenly we had this exploding wait list of people who were interested in playing.” – (Erica Hoogerbeets)
“The outdoor court being public, open to everybody all day and night, we prefer to leave it unbooked.” – (Erica Hoogerbeets)
Family, Fitness, and Strategy
Adele Van Pletsen and her brother JP Van Rooyen say pickleball is a great way for families to spend time together. Van Pletsen admits she once thought the sport was just for older people, but now she plays with her mom and kids, and her brother’s family joins too.
“I’ll admit that I was one of the people who thought pickleball was only for older people, which is not the case at all.” – (Van Pletsen)
JP Van Rooyen calls the sport “athletic chess” because it needs smart thinking and good fitness. Van Pletsen says some people wrongly think pickleball isn’t good exercise. His youngest son, 8-year-old Juhan, watches pro matches but isn’t playing yet.
“It’s quality time spent together.” – (Van Rooyen)
“I call it athletic chess…. You have to think strategically and you have to be physically fit.” – (Van Rooyen)
“I’ve heard people say you get no exercise when you play pickleball and it’s so untrue. You haven’t played pickleball if you say that.” – (Van Pletsen)
Both siblings grew up in South Africa and credit sports clubs for helping them meet people. Van Rooyen praises MAP for working well with local schools and supporting the community.
“He always said… if you follow the tennis club you will meet good people. It’s the same for pickleball. I have met absolutely amazing women while playing this sport.” – (Van Pletsen)
Bringing People Together
MAP’s members range from beginners to competitive players. Hoogerbeets highlights how pickleball has helped her spend more time with her mom, seeing her multiple times a week on the courts.
“I think MAP does a good job allocating gym times for everybody to share. It puts money in the pockets of the school and the community.” – (Van Rooyen)
According to the survey, 88 percent of Canadians play the sport because it is fun. JP Van Rooyen sums it up: “It brings people together.”
“Before starting to play pickleball, I would talk to my mom regularly and we would visit, but now I get to see her multiple times a week on the pickleball courts. I love to play with her and get those extra moments to hold her close.” – (Hoogerbeets)
News in Brief: Midland Area Pickleball Club’s Growth
Pickleball is attracting players of all ages in Canada, with many joining the Midland Area Pickleball club. The sport offers family fun, fitness, and social time. Despite jokes, it is seen as a smart and active game that unites communities and grows steadily after the COVID-19 pandemic.