News and Events

Monday June 10, July 8 and August 11 at Murdo Frazer courts.

This Clinic is aimed at new-to-pickleball members as basic strokes and rules will be covered.
Instructors are one certified coach assisted by friendly, knowledgeable volunteers.
Come and meet some other beginning players! Limit of 16.
Loaner paddles available.

Offered to members first and then opened free to the public to register one week prior. Email nspc.bc@gmail.com to get on the registration email list.

• Monday June 10, 6 – 8-pm at Murdo Frazer. Registration open now to members. Non-members: June 3
• Monday July 8 6 – 8-pm at Murdo Frazer. Registration opens Sunday June 16 at 7-pm to members. Non-members: July1
• Monday August 12 6 – 8-pm at Murdo Frazer. Registration opens Sunday July 21 at 7-pm to members. Non-members: August 5

Rain Policy:
Slippery courts can be unsafe in which case the session will be cancelled.
It may be raining in your neighbourhood but dry at the courts. Always best to come down to check if the session is going forward.
Unfortunately our limited permits mean its impossible to reschedule outdoor events. The host will endeavor to leave a sign on the court door if the session is cancelled or email the group when possible.

Please register for one session only.
Unfortunately the session is cancelled if the courts are too wet. You will be given priority registration for the next month’s intro.

Our Maggie Murch, hanging out recently with her 2024 Scorpions NLP teammate Dayne Gingrich in Coachella Valley, California. That’s his new book she’s holding. You can watch upcoming games here: https://www.youtube.com/@nationalpickleballleague/streams

Update: The Motion Passed!

Thank you to Everyone who showed their Support! Thank you Councilor Catherine Pope.

Councilor Catherine Pope has registered the following motion for consideration Monday April 22, 7-pm. Join us at the DNV Council Chambers, 355 W Queens to show your support.

SUBJECT: Pickleball Courts Expansion  

RECOMMENDATION: 

THAT Council direct staff to identify sites where new, outdoor pickleball courts could be located  and where current courts could be expanded in the District of North Vancouver.

For the compete text visit: https://app.dnv.org/OpenDocument/Default.aspx?docNum=6272000

Here’s the video of the meeting.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z15x5cW4nk

Walter Knecht’s remarks on behalf of the Advocacy Ctte: 27:55

Estha’s presentation: 29:00

Shelley Weal: 46:16

Phil Grassi: 51:55

Councilor Cath Pope’s introduction: 1:59:30

Mayor Mike Little’s remarks and vote: 2:27:00

WALTER KNECHT, FOUNDER

When pickleball took hold of Walter in the summer of 2013, he insisted on taking us all along for the ride!  Beginning on the North Shore, Walter organized indoor and outdoor play (2014), chaired the BC 55+ pickleball games (2015 in North Vancouver and 2016 in Coquitlam), started up and ran the North Shore Picklemania tournament (2016-2018) and established the very successful North Shore Pickleball Club (2017). 

He then set his sights on organizing the whole province.  In 2017 Walter created Pickleball BC in parallel to BC Pickleball, soon supplanting the older organization. Then the real work of creating a large and provincially-accredited sports organization began. 

There were a myriad of procedures and policies to write and adopt. In 2018 the first-in-Canada Memorandums of Understanding were signed with B.C.-based clubs and Pickleball Canada.  Walter also initiated discussions in 2019 with Pickleball Canada for a higher-level member management system which we now know as the very powerful and useful PCNS.  By July 2021, in just four years, Pickleball BC had achieved Provincial Sport Status.

A provincial sports organization needs a provincial tournament which Walter has helped organize. He has been and continues to be involved in organizing other regional tournaments, fundraisers, the BC 55+ Games, and other initiatives that grow the game.  He was also national leader of officiating from 2020 to 2022.

Walter’s early collaborators noted that he liked to have his way but then “he was usually right.”  All agree to his ability to manage the complexity of “a growing and complicated organization in a calm, decisive manner” and his commitment to the work required.

In ten years, Walter has built a significant and lasting structure upon the foundations laid by earlier B.C. founders.   B.C. pickleball players, today and in the future, are thankful for Walter Knecht’s abilities, passion and gift of time in the pursuit of pickleball excellence.

Submitted on Behalf of the North Shore Pickleball Club,

Estha Parg Murenbeeld, President

February 2024

Register beginning at 7-pm on Monday February 26. Visit the Members’ Area page.

Note the change to the Men’s Double event.