The History Behind the Ballantrae Pickleball Club

By Art Woodruft

A funny thing happened at a neighbourhood social in our retirement community 2 1/2 years ago when a friend asked me if I was interested in playing Pickleball.My response was "what the heck is Pickleball". The rest is history as my friend and I convinced 50 additional part-time & full-time players to get involved with this addictive sport.

We started playing, initially at a Seniors' Centre in Newmarket, Ontario, however, as the sport gained in popularity, we soon outgrew this facility. Luckily for us, Pickleballers had another, more modern, facility just a few minutes away called the Magna Centre located on Mulock Drive. This wonderful facility provides 4 courts for us enthusiasts three days a week.

The players come from Newmarket, Aurora and our Ballantrae Golf and C.C. We play mostly in the winter on Monday & Wednesdays (1-3 p.m.) & Fridays (8:30 11:30 a.m.) for a nominal charge of $2/session. It is interesting to note that we always play doubles with the ratio of men to women being almost equal. We have been fortunate to have Rudy Niessink (rudyn@295.ca) coordinate our activities this past two very busy years.We are optimistic that Pickleball will continue to grow in leaps & bounds for players of all ages.

This sport is certainly "the fountain of youth " for Seniors.

Editors Note: I would like to thank Art for the background on the Ballantrae Club and the next article, "Pickleball is "Iced" in Whitchurch-Stouffville", describes the beginning of the next stage in the history of the Ballantrae Pickleball Club. Oh behalf of Pickleball Canada, I would like to thank Rudy Niessink for his hard work in organizing this group. The success of any group depends on leadership and Rudy has shown the way.

You may have noticed that Pickleball Ontario has a new look in the form of its own logo. After many failed attempts by me to design something, I saw Rudy's design for the Ballantrae Club, see above, and as a bit of a lark, asked him to do something for Pickleball Ontario. The next day, I had the design you see at the top of this page. Thanks Rudy.

Pickleball is "Iced' in Whitchurch-Stouffville

by Wayne Roswell



From left to right Art Woodruft, Mayor Wayne Emmerson, and Leo McGuire

Canadians are famous for two sports played in an arena, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Now, add a third Pickleball.

Canadians can be resourceful when it comes to finding a place to play Pickleball.In the last six weeks, I have played Pickleball in the parking lot of a curling rink, a tennis dome, and now a hockey rink.

On Thursday, July 2, 2009, Whitchurch-Stouffville held a Pickleball Open House from 2pm - 5pm on Pad B of the Stouffville Recreation Centre. Between 75 -80 players and spectators came to participate and watch this exciting new game being introduced to the area for the first time.

Art Woodruff, a local resident, approached the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, with the idea that they needed a facility to offer Pickleball to residents right in their home town. Art was joined in the promotion of his efforts by neighbour, Leo McGuire. As Art says, "about 50 people from the area were driving to the Magna Centre in Newmarket to play and of course running errands while they were out. This is consumer dollars that would stay right here if we had Pickleball courts. He also pointed out that there was a need to get Pickleball into neighbouring high schools" The mayor, Wayne Emmerson, and staff agreed and wanted a solution. As a trial, six courts were painted on the cement floor of the hockey pad and portable nets erected.

In his opening remarks to the large crowd, Mayor Emmerson said, "I have just tried Pickleball for the first time and I like it a lot. With this many players wanting to play, we have to do something." He went on to suggest that a permanent location that would include both indoor tennis and Pickleball might be a viable solution. It is commendable that the leisure activities department of Whitchurch-Stouffville was able to organize the facilities and get the equipment in place in a little over four weeks with the assistance of Art.

Leo Mcquire commented that it was great to be able to play in the Magna Centre, a state-of-the-art facility, but having a place to play in your own back yard was even better.

The ladies in this picture were learning the game and having fun.


Many players came from Newmarket and Aurora to enjoy a game. Players from the Milliken and Scarborough Recreation Centres, car pooled it to join in the demonstration and get in some serious Pickleball. Leo said, "it was amazing that other clubs found out about the open house and rallied quickly to help make the event such a success."

Starting Monday, July 6, 2009, Pickleball is scheduled Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 am and 2:00 pm. to 5:00 pm. The Stouffville Arena is located at 12483 Ninth Line, north of Main Street in Stouffville, "the friendliest town in Ontario".

On behalf of Pickleball Canada and all the players, I would like to congratulate Art and Leo for the organization of a terrific open house. Mayor Emmerson and his staff need to be thanked for supporting this effort and seeing the potential for this great sport.

Special Canada Day Edition of E-Newsletter

A Special Canada Day Edition of The Pickleball Canada E-Newsletter

Although the plans were to have this newsletter published quarterly, I felt it would be great to celebrate Canada Day with a special edition of the E-Pickleball Canada Newsletter. A new organization and a new way to celebrate the birth date of our great country.

Many events have happened in the past month or so and I want Pickleball players to be aware of all of them, so this was another reason to produce this newsletter at this time.

Happy Canada Day and enjoy reading about the great game of Pickleball in our great country

In a pickle and having a ball

By michael hayakawa

Art Woodruff is spreading the word to his Whitchurch-Stouffville neighbours about a game he loves to play.

With a warning: those who take part become addicted.

It's called pickleball.

Pickleball, you say?

To assist Woodruff in his quest to spread the game's popularity in Stouffville, he noted

The Town of Whitchurch Stouffville's department of leisure services has offered support by painting six temporary pickleball courts on the Stouffville Arena Pad B floor for use by local residents.

You are are invited to the Ninth Line arena July 2 from 2 to 5 p.m. to watch exhibition games.

You can try the game at no cost. Equipment will be supplied. Wear shorts or pants, t-shirts and appropriate running shoes.

The courts will be open from July 3 to 27 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Fridays.

"I think youngsters will pick up the game quickly. But we've got to start somewhere," he said. "Once people play it, the game can be addictive."

The courts will close once ice is installed late this summer.

Woodruff is optimistic a permanent, year-round facility will be found, since participation in the game tends to be at its peak during the winter months.

Full story at theliberal.com

Leave it to Canadians to find a use for a hockey rink in summer. How about Pickleball on Ice?

Introducing Pickleball to a New Centre

What is the best way to introduce Pickleball to a new senior centre? Bring in players from another club to do a demonstration.

This is exactly what happened when Pickleball for Seniors was introduced to Heydenshore Recreation Centre in Whitby. From left to right, Cathy, Jane, Michael, Tony, and David travelled from Milliken Park Recreation Centre in Scarborough to do a demo back in March for new players in Whitby.

The arrangements were set up by Sheri Subden the Seniors Program director of Whitby and Tony Sequeira, the usapa ambassador of the Greater Toronto area. The five players from Milliken went to Whitby and demonstrated the game. New players were then teamed with the experienced players to learn the rules and play a game.

Last week the five players pictured above were welcomed back to play a friendly round robin with the players they had taught ten weeks earlier. There was friendly play and refreshments enjoyed by all.

This is one of many ways Pickleball players give back to the game of Pickleball. Players teach lessons to new players. They remember that when they started, someone spent time teaching them, and they are eager to share. Pickleball is more than a game, it is a social experience that everyone enjoys. It is a time to meet new people and most important, have fun.

Thanks to Cathy, Jane, Michael, and David for sharing your time and expertise. And special thanks to Tony for acting as a true ambassador and setting this all up. I was at the Whitby Club this week and I know how appreciative they were for all the help you gave them. The Whitby Club would like to do the same for some one else.