About | Abbotsford Pickleball Association

Abbotsford Pickleball Association

Our Mission is to facilitate growth and development of Pickleball in Abbotsford and surrounding areas by:

promoting the health, physical and social well-being of participants of all skill levels and age groups through involvement in Pickleball;
expanding the availability of permanent and dedicated Pickleball courts within the community;
facilitating coaching and teaching Pickleball,
providing opportunities to develop local Pickleball coaches and referees;
organizing competitive tournaments on a periodic basis;
scheduling opportunities for pickleball players of all levels to find the appropriate environment in which to develop their games; and
growing the sport of Pickleball through participation in local community initiatives.

Our Vision is to be recognized as the primary organization for development of Pickleball in Abbotsford and the surrounding area while promoting Pickleball as a recreation, a sport and a healthy, wholesome way to meet and interact with people.

Our Values include fostering a welcoming, respectful, safe, collegial and sportsman-like environment.

Safety, Expectations, Etiquette, General Rules
Abbotsford Pickleball Association strives to provide a welcoming, respectful, safe and sportsman like environment. Fair play and sportsmanship are key in providing success and enjoyment in Pickleball. To aid APA to achieve the smooth running of pickleball at the AgRec centre, we request that you follow the guidelines provided.

Safety
- wear proper court shoes, non slip, non marking
- eye protection is highly recommended
- do not back up on the court, turn and move sideways
- do not run into an adjacent active court when playing your ball
- Call Ball! and stop play immediately if a ball strays onto your court. Replay the rally after returning the ball
- return ball by determining who’s it is and do so by means other than smacking it with your paddle
- if your ball strays into another court do not run into the court to retrieve it. Alert the other player(s) and wait for them to return to you
- do not hinder other players by being too close to the side / base lines when not playing
- When your game is finished, leave promptly. Do not run through the back of an active court - wait until play has stopped, let the players know you are exiting ( safety and etiquette)
- keep well hydrated. Rest, do not become over tired

Etiquette
- introduce yourself to other others before play if you are not familiar with them. Acknowledge those that you do. If you are new to the game, inform the other players
- in non competitive games more advanced players should be willing to play with newer players when the situation arises. Do not attempt to over power them, use this opportunity to practice your shots and
placements
- do not “hog” the courts, rotate so that others waiting can play. Mix it up when appropriate
- be courteous to each other, no foul language, aggressive comments or behaviour. Give positive feedback and encouragement
- avoid giving unsolicited coaching. If someone asks for your help do so keeping in mind the flow of the game, perhaps wait until the game is finished
- follow the directions given by the host of your session. Remember that they are a volunteer helping the flow of the session run as smoothly as possible

Rules
Note: some rules may be included in etiquette
- all pickleball play is to follow the rules as set forth in the official PCO /USPA Pickleball Rule Book. The following rules are pertinent to the smooth flow of play:
- always call the score before serving. Ensure the receiver is ready before serving
- you do line calls on your side of the court and not the other side
- make line calls to the best of your ability. If you did not see where the ball bounced on your side of the court ( in or out ) then it is considered in
- you may ask the opposition to help with a line call but their decision is final
- if you are aware that you or your partner has committed a foul ( fault ), call it ( rule and etiquette)
- in non officiated recreational play non volley zone faults may be called by any player on either team. The call should be accepted according to PB rule 9.G.A. (Remember the game is for fun)
- when a ball lands out of bounds call OUT! loudly and signal by raising your arm up

AgRec Expectations
- arrive on time for your session. Make sure host knows you are present
- follow Player Etiquette
- do not arrive in your court shoes, change upon arrival in the lobby area. This helps keep the floor clean and slip free
- learn where the equipment is stored, how to correctly set up the nets, learn the court set up procedures
- help with set up / take down. Keep area safe - clean up spills, etc. Place bags, bottles, towels away from the playing area
- report any damages, equipment failure, possible unsafe conditions to the host

2024 Board of Directors

Bob MacMillan

President

My wife Holly and I were introduced to pickleball in the spring of 2019, and we have been playing multiple times a week ever since. We have met so many wonderful people while playing, our circle of friends has grown immensely. I love learning while playing competitively or playing a soft game to help newcomers learn. I personally have always volunteered when able, and now that I am retired, or at least semi retired, I have more time to volunteer. I am happy to help grow this sport and make it available to more and more players so they can enjoy it also.

Shawn Wilson

Vice President

Shawn Wilson, is a seasoned athlete with a background in volleyball, hockey, badminton, and squash, and brings his wealth of sports experience to the Abbotsford Pickleball Association.

For the past two years, he's been diving into pickleball with gusto, balancing his love for the game with his dedication to Special Olympics, where he serves as both a coach and a supportive parent, embodying the values of teamwork and inclusivity both on and off the court.

Dave Booth

Treasurer, Founding Member

Dave started playing pickleball in August, 2021 and loves the game. In early 2023 he took the Level 1 Pickleball Instructor Course as he enjoys showing people how to play the game.

For over 30 years he has been a financial advisor and CPA, having managed a branch for a large wealth management firm in the Fraser Valley for many years. He is an avid fly fisherman & enjoys visiting many remote small lakes in the interior of BC.

Gina Spencer

Secretary, Founding Member

Gina was exposed to pickleball in early 1970’s when her Aunt and Uncle installed the second pickleball court in Tacoma, WA. Gina picked up the paddle again in Nov 2021 and she was hooked! The game brought back the childhood memories of summer fun. Gina plays whenever she can find a court (outside of work hours) in BC and in Birch Bay, Washington. She loves her career as one of the Principals of a local Engineering firm, but looks forward to the day when she can spend more time on the courts.

Dennis Regnier

Member

Dennis starting playing Pickleball in 2008-9 in Arizona and then went on to start the Sunshine Coast Pickleball Association with two others who had recently learned about the sport in California. Moved to Abbotsford in January of 2003 and continued playing PB. A one time active tournament player with reasonable success I found it difficult to keep up as age and health issues came along. I continue to thoroughly enjoy playing now at the recreational level and helping others along learn and play Pickleball.

Lisa Schlagintweit

Founding Member

Lisa came to pickleball from tennis. Her knees were beginning to hold her back and she thought her racquet sport playing days were done. Then she met pickleball, and never thought about tennis again.

"We had no idea of the how successful the first season of Abbotsford Pickleball Association was going to be. Within 4 months we had 700 members. There have been growing pains, as we juggled to meet the needs of all these members with a huge range of pickleball skills.

Lisa is looking forward to reprising her role of an active board member.

Doug Margison

Member

As a retired senior and lifelong sports enthusiast, I’ve spent much of my adult life on the tennis court, both as a passionate player and fan. In 2017, I was introduced to the exciting world of Pickleball. For a few years, I split my time between the two sports, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, I made the decision to focus solely on Pickleball. This shift was partly inspired by my wife, who found Pickleball more accessible and enjoyable after undergoing double knee replacement surgery.

What I love most about Pickleball is its incredible blend of fun, social connection, and competitive spirit. Whether I'm playing in age- and skill-level tournaments or just enjoying a casual game with friends, the experience is always rewarding. Pickleball truly is a sport for everyone—from first-time players to seasoned pros. All it takes is a paddle, and you’re in the game!

Elaine Vermette

Member

Elaine first picked up a game of pickleball in California six years ago and never looked back. Coming from a badminton and volleyball background in earlier years, regularly playing has allowed her to rediscover the joy of competitive sports with the added dimension of the great social interactions on and off the pickleball court where ever we travel.

I look forward to volunteering as a Board Member in addition to my hosting role. I meet so many more awesome people while giving back to the sport I love. The body needs a break here and there and volunteering allows me to keep involved and have a voice in our pickleball community. Play on!

Our Partners

History of Pickleball in Abbotsford

In April 2009 the city built an addition of gym space to the Abbotsford Rec Center. A group of 8-9 senior citizens from Abbotsford and Chilliwack talked the city into allowing them some gym space for their fledgling sport, which they played in the RV parks in Arizona & California. A younger rec Center staff was assigned to oversee the group and realized that the sport was more than just friendly competition. He organized social times for the players after the pickleball sessions. Within 3 months the sport had grown from using 3 courts to now using 8 courts, and were now playing every afternoon through the week. The only places in the lower mainland to play indoor pickleball were Chilliwack, South Surrey, and Abbotsford and only for ages 55+! The rec Center staff saw the potential growth for pickleball for people that worked during the day, the students and others and petitioned the management a time to have a drop in pickleball session in the evening. An evening was finally given late 2010 early 2011 on a trial basis to see if it could work using only 4 courts. Word got out and within 3 months 8 courts were filled with the under 55 crowd and the top level senior players locally. Because Abbotsford was the premier location to offer pickleball to the under 55 crowd players materialized from all over the lower mainland who would trek out to Abbotsford one evening a week to play the best pickleball around. Within the year a second night was added and the once fledgling local sport was now established.

In 2012 & 2013 The 1st & 2nd pickleball Canadian nationals history were hosted in Abbotsford.

In 2012 a small group of Abbotsford and Langley residents came together to find a way to promote the game they loved; they formed “Fraser Valley Pickleball”. FVP noted there were zero dedicated outdoor pickleball facilities anywhere outside of Kelowna/Kamloops available and wanted to change that and promote the fastest growing game in North America. Abbotsford had hosted the Canadian National Championships for 3 years in a row and yet only offered indoor play at the Abbotsford Recreation Center with limited times.

After 2 years of conversations with the City of Abbotsford, Jubilee Park became the first location in Metro Vancouver to have a dedicated facility where people of all ages could gather, get fit, socialize and have fun playing this amazing sport! Since that time, the game has exponentially grown and ALL other communities have caught up with Abbotsford and there are now many facilities throughout the Lower Mainland available for play.