Vernon Pickleball Documentary Storyhive: Vernon filmmaker Mitchell Vanlerberg has produced a new documentary, Pickleball Pioneers: A Vernon Pickleball Story, now showing on Telus Optik TV Video on Demand and Stream+. The documentary explores the rapid growth of pickleball in Vernon, focusing on the city’s vibrant community and the largest indoor pickleball court in Canada.
A Personal Story and Community Focus
Vanlerberg, known for his work on the Hello Okanagan series and the movies Young Ronin and Young Ronin 2, drew inspiration from his grandfather, a passionate pickleball player.
“One of the ideas I came up with was the story of pickleball in Vernon because my grandpa is a huge pickleball player and it’s just crazy to think that Vernon has the largest indoor pickleball court in Canada,”(Mitchell Vanlerberg).
The series celebrates players of all ages, highlighting how seniors have driven the sport’s growth. Through interviews and match footage, the documentary shows how the Vernon Pickleball Association members raised $1.2 million toward the $1.4-million facility in just a few months, demonstrating strong local support.
Support from Telus Storyhive
Telus Storyhive, which provides grants and mentorship to emerging filmmakers in Alberta and B.C., supported Vanlerberg’s project with $10,000.
“Storyhive is a great opportunity for people who are emerging film makers and haven’t had a whole lot of experience with it. It’s a great opportunity to work with Telus. They are able to mentor you,” (Mitchell Vanlerberg).
Storyhive has funded thousands of creators with over $66.9 million in production support, training, and distribution over the last decade. Its mission is to help local content creators share meaningful stories on TELUS Optik TV and online channels.
Availability and Next Steps
Pickleball Pioneers will be fully available on Storyhive’s YouTube channel starting November 25, giving viewers nationwide a chance to explore Vernon’s pickleball community and the sport’s growing popularity.
News in Brief: Vernon Pickleball Documentary Storyhive
Vernon filmmaker Mitchell Vanlerberg’s documentary Pickleball Pioneers: A Vernon Pickleball Story explores the city’s booming pickleball scene. Supported by Telus Storyhive, the series showcases players of all ages and the community-funded indoor facility. The full series will be on Storyhive’s YouTube channel from November 25.
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