Pickleball Boom in Manitoba Communities: Pickleball is gaining major attention across Manitoba, with more people of all ages joining every day. Ted Fardoe, President of Pickleball Manitoba, says membership has grown from 400 to nearly 3,000 players in just three years. The sport is being played in more schools, communities, and clubs across the province.
Rapid Growth in Membership and Interest
Ted Fardoe is proud of how much the sport has expanded in a short time.
“It’s incredible how much the sport has grown overall,” Fardoe says proudly. “In Manitoba in particular, every day there are new people playing, and it’s growing geometrically, it seems. When I started with Pickleball Manitoba three years ago, we had approximately 400 members, we now have somewhere between 2500 to 3000 active members with Pickleball Manitoba. Every day we are adding, more and more people are finding the sport, and loving it, playing with their friends, inviting new people, and I just to see what’s going on with it.”
Changing Demographics and Younger Players
Though pickleball started as a kids’ game in the 1960s, it became known later as a sport for older adults. That is now shifting, according to Fardoe.
“When the sport was developed back in the 60’s, it was put together to keep some kids entertained,” Fardoe explains. “Obviously as it grew, it became more and more of a senior sport. When I got involved, I’d say it was predominately a senior or retiree sport, but the demographic is now changing. The average age of players, I’d say has dropped by about 10 years. I would say in the province right now, the average age of our membership is somewhere close to between 50 and 55 years old, where just a few years ago, it was closer to 65 years old.”
Expanding Youth Programs and School Involvement
Pickleball Manitoba is working to bring the sport to schools and young players. Fardoe says more high school students are now playing in tournaments and clinics.
“It’s so amazing. It’s been part of Pickleball Manitoba’s mandate for the last two years, to promote in the schools and youth programs, in particular. We actually ran the high school provincial championship this year, we had 90 plus kids participate, and they loved it. There were medal presentations, and they were so excited. We’re seeing more and more of that. As we go here, we’ve run a couple of youth clinics and camps in the last couple of months. We’re planning for another high school provincial championship next year, so we’re building it, and we’re so excited to see it. We’re actually hosting the National Championships this year, and we’re actually going to have a youth division this year, for the first time ever.”
Growing Club Support Across Communities
Communities large and small are building their own pickleball clubs. Fardoe says the province has gone from one club to about fifteen.
“We reach out to all communities around the province, as much as we can, and we have increased our clubs from one just a couple years ago to fourteen or fifteen that we have now as affiliated programs, and these are in all kinds of small towns. Brandon has a huge pickleball community, Neepawa, Dauphin, Arborg, Portage la Prairie, and Niverville, we recently captured as an affiliated club. It’s growing in every community and it’s becoming a great community activity, as well.”
Seniors Still a Core Part of the Game
Fardoe emphasizes that older adults still remain an important part of the sport.
“It’s healthy living, we’re creating longevity, and we’re creating a sport for life. We have people playing in provincial championships that are in their late 70’s and early 80’s, it’s fantastic for the older population and it will always be for them.”
Looking Ahead: Plans for the Future
Pickleball Manitoba is setting goals for future growth, including youth leagues and more facilities. Fardoe says they are applying for recognition from Sport Manitoba, which could lead to more funding.
“We think about the future all the time. We have a long term strategic plan, and we’re reviewing that plan in September again. We’re reaching out and applying at Sport Manitoba to be a recognized sport within the province. Pickleball Canada just recently became a recognized sport with Sport Canada, and that allows us to apply for funding and build programing. I’d expect that within our next long term plan, we see youth leagues, more youth clinics, the possibility of more and better facilities both indoor and outdoor. From our perspective, we’re facilitating the sport for our population.”
Pickleball on the World Stage?
Fardoe believes that pickleball may soon be seen at the highest level of competition—the Olympics.
“I think we’re going to see that sooner than later,” he says confidently. “The sport is growing so fast, and so many high level athletes are engaging it, that if it’s not a demonstration sport, it’ll be a sport within one of the next few Olympics, and likely, the next time it comes through North America.”
News in Brief: Pickleball Boom in Manitoba Communities
Pickleball is booming in Manitoba, with nearly 3,000 members now active. President Ted Fardoe says the sport is growing in schools and small towns, while plans are in place for more youth programs and facilities. With growing national attention, Fardoe hopes to see pickleball in a future Olympic Games.