Ninth annual Nanaimo Indoor Pickleball Tournament features several local winners and a large increase in participants over 2022. (Nanaimo Pickleball Club)

By Dan Marshall

Pickleball Tournament

Nanaimo Pickleball Club put on successful ninth annual indoor tournament

Jul 26, 2023 | 9:17 AM

NANAIMO — The Nanaimo Pickleball Club recently held its largest event of the year.

The ninth annual indoor pickleball tournament took place at Oliver Woods Community Centre on July 15 and 16.

Event spokesperson Deb Marshall said most of the players came from the Island and mainland.

“We also had players from Alberta and one player from Australia. There were 144 registered over the two days. Many of these players played both days in either one or two events.”

There were various skill levels in three different divisions from men’s to women’s and mixed doubles.

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“Players were engaged on the court making new friendships. As well we had a foyer and viewing deck full of spectators. To put this event on we were blessed with over 40 volunteers from within the club as well as friends of players that jumped in to help out.”

The 2023 pickleball tournament saw increased interest from a year ago.

Nearly 50 more players competed in this event compared to 2022, due mainly to the fact the indoor event was held last year so close to removal of public health restrictions around indoor gatherings.

Some local players had excellent results.

In the men’s 4.5 category Joshua Mitchell and Spencer Leakey won gold. Joshua Mitchell and Lee-Ann Mitchell competed as a mother and son duo in the mixed 4.0 division and took gold as well.

At the women’s 4.5 level Dawn Dueck and Michelle Guidone earned silver.

Aside from the tournament, Marshall said pickleball is gaining popularity in Nanaimo.

“Our numbers within the club for beginners and novice players has been growing rapidly. Our club plays out of Oliver Woods where there is only so much space to accommodate the growing numbers. Many players stay outside all year long to play pickleball when the weather allows.”

Winners from the tournament were:

Mens 4.5: Joshua Mitchell and Spencer Leakey
Mens 4.0: Ross Matthews and Frank Hoekstra
Mens 3.5: Cary Leung and Robert Athey
Mens 3.0: Richard Ringma and Bryan Mitchell

Womens 4.5: Sandra Bars and Barbara Meihuizen
Womens 4.0: Deb Marshall and Lynneth Stuart-Hill
Womens 3.5: Sabrina Lam and Sundee Mair
Womens 3.0: Debbie Davis and Laurie Briggs

Mixed 4.5: Rachel Dewhurst and Steve Herman
Mixed 4.0: Lee-Ann Mitchell and Joshua Mitchell
Mixed 3.5: Vanessa Ramsdale and Eric Law
Mixed 3.0: Corine Reid and Holly Reid

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