Pembroke Pickleball Club (PPC)
Picklers Points
Newsletter spring 2026 edition 7
A Major Milestone for PPC — We’re Incorporated!
On March 13, 2026, Pembroke Pickleball Club officially became an incorporated not-for-profit organization under Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act.
This marks an exciting new chapter for the club as we continue to grow and strengthen pickleball opportunities across the Ottawa Valley.
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is planned for Fall 2026.
PPC: A Brief History
2014
Founder Dr. Richard Hobart, first introduced to pickleball in the 1980s, embraced the sport following a heart attack as a safe and active form of exercise. He began promoting pickleball locally in Pembroke.
2015
The first three outdoor courts were established at the Kinsmen Athletic Courts with support from the City of Pembroke.
2015-2018
Indoor winter play expanded at Champlain Discovery School as participation steadily increased.
2019
Pembroke Pickleball Club was formally established with an initial board and approximately 40 members.
2020–2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic, members adapted creatively with indoor play at the Pembroke Memorial Centre and outdoor play in a downtown parking lot.
Post-Pandemic
A year-round indoor home was secured through the support of Pembroke Pentecostal Tabernacle Church.
2024
Membership reached approximately 100 players from across the Ottawa Valley, with organized weekly programming.
March 13, 2026
PPC officially became an incorporated not-for-profit organization.
Today
Pembroke Pickleball Club continues to thrive as a welcoming year-round club focused on fitness, friendship, fun, and community through pickleball. The club currently has 107 active members, with additional players waiting for future membership opportunities.
Monday Nights Were Electric!
2025–2026 Monday Co-Ed House League Recap
From the first serve on October 20, 2025, Monday nights quickly became one of the highlights of the indoor season.
With 24 players participating throughout the year, the league delivered competitive games, great camaraderie, and plenty of fun — all while operating on just one regulation court.
Using Pickleball Network metrics, organizers developed a format that balanced competition and fairness. Players moved between courts based on wins and point totals, helping maintain strong and balanced matchups all season long.
Thank You to Our League Leaders
A huge thank you to:
- Joanne O’Connor, Jeffrey Roy, James McCluskey
Their volunteer leadership and countless hours helped make Monday nights a success.
More Than Competition
What stood out most all season was the sportsmanship, encouragement, laughter, and friendships built both on and off the court.
2026 League Winners
Tier One
🥇 Gold — James McCluskey
🥈 Silver — Terry Lindenbach
🥉 Bronze — Jerry Plante
Tier Two
🥇 Gold — Nancy Chaput
🥈 Silver — Joanne O’Connor
🥉 Bronze — Bill Fillmore
Players needed a minimum of 30 games to qualify for the leaderboard, although many completed well over 100 games throughout the season.
The season wrapped up with two fantastic celebration evenings featuring mixers, awards, a community potluck, and a spirited team competition that ended in a tie!
Celebrating Our Volunteers
Volunteer Appreciation Week — April 2026
During Volunteer Appreciation Week, members shared heartfelt appreciation for the many people who help make PPC such a welcoming and successful club.
Messages recognized:
- Board members
- Session hosts
- Setup crews
- Cleaners
- League organizers
- Volunteers who quietly step in wherever needed
Members highlighted the welcoming atmosphere at PPC, the work behind smooth-running sessions, and the encouragement and sense of community felt throughout the club.
One travelling member reflected that after visiting other clubs, it became even clearer how special the volunteer spirit at PPC truly is.
Volunteer Appreciation Week reminded us that the strength of the club comes not only from the game — but from the people behind it.
Tournament Trail — PPC Members Shine!
PPC players proudly represented the club at tournaments across Ontario and beyond during the 2026 season.
Canadian Cup (APA) — Ottawa
Players competed in multiple divisions at The Forge in Ottawa, bringing home strong results and valuable tournament experience.
Medal Results
- Jay Geddes / France Bainville — 3.5 (50+)
- Lorne Keon / Dave Kitchen — 3.5 (65+)
- Sandra Keon / Chris Keon — 3.0 (35+)
- Steve Moreau / Jay Makwana — 3.0 (19+)
Arizona Medal Double!
Congratulations to Debbie Robinson on an incredible tournament run in Arizona:
- 🥈 Silver — PPA Mesa Cup Amateur Division
- 🥇 Gold – March Madness Tournament at Pickleball Backyard, Gilbert, Arizona
A tremendous achievement representing PPC far from home!
Tru-North Mayhem at the Forge
PPC players competed with determination and sportsmanship at the March 27–29 tournament.
Medal Results
🥇 Gold
- Lorne Keon / Dave Kitchen — Men’s Doubles 3.5 (70+)
🥈 Silver
- Jay Geddes / France Bainville — Mixed Doubles 3.5 (50–65)
🥉 Bronze
- Peter Murphy / George Ostermeier — Men’s Doubles 3.5 (59–69)
- Sandra Keon / Alex Keon — Mixed Doubles 3.0 (16–34)
Battle in the Bay — Belleville
Congratulations to PPC participants and medalists:
George Ostermeier / Lorne Keon — Gold Medal, 3.5 (65+)
Pickleball Ontario Eastern Regionals — Kingston
Medal Results
Lorne Keon / Dave Kitchen — Gold, 3.5 (65+)
Lorne Keon / Oriana Oszip — Bronze Sandra Keon / Mike Ayotte — Gold, 3.0 (65+) Sandra Keon / Nancy Sharpe — Bronze, 3.0 (60+)
Playing Safe
AEDs are available at both PPC indoor venues:
- Pembroke Pentecostal Church
- Columbus Hall
Several club members are AED-certified, and more volunteers are always encouraged.
Safe Play Reminders
- Wear proper court shoes and protective eyewear
- Bring water and stay hydrated
- Warm up and cool down properly
- Avoid running backwards
- Call “BALL ON COURT!” immediately when needed
- Be mindful of slippery surfaces
Respecting Shared Spaces
Please wait outside the gym until your scheduled session start time before entering to set up or warm up.
While waiting:
- Stretching and quiet preparation are encouraged
- Please avoid ball or paddle play in hallways
- Be mindful of noise levels as facilities are shared with other groups
Understanding DUPR
Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) is rapidly becoming the standard player rating system across the pickleball world.
Pickleball Canada now requires DUPR ratings for sanctioned events, and many clubs are beginning to integrate DUPR into league and tournament play.
How DUPR Works
- Ratings range from 2.0 to 8.0
- Ratings adjust based on match outcomes and expected performance
- Strong performances against higher-rated opponents can improve ratings even in losses
- Singles and doubles ratings are tracked separately
Reliability Scores
DUPR also tracks rating reliability:
- 60+ = reasonably accurate
- 80+ = very reliable
- 100 = highly accurate
At this time, PPC sessions remain non-DUPR because many club sessions are played on shortened courts. However, players entering tournaments are increasingly encouraged to understand and use DUPR ratings.
💬 That’s a Wrap!
Pembroke Pickleball Club continues to grow thanks to the dedication of volunteers, players, community supporters, and partners throughout the Ottawa Valley.
Whether you are a longtime player or curious about trying the sport for the first time, pickleball continues to bring people together through activity, friendship, and fun.
Thank you for playing, volunteering, supporting, and representing Pembroke Pickleball Club.
Here’s to more rallies, friendships, laughter, and great moments on the courts in 2026!
📨 Questions or comments?
Email: pembrokepickleball@gmail.com
website: https://www.pembrokepickleballclub.ca
