NEWS FROM THE GLOBAL PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY
PLANET
Pickleball
NEWS FROM THE GLOBAL PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY
Representatives from five continents gathered for GPF ’ s first Annual General Meeting in Arizona .
LEAPING FORWARD IN OUR LAUNCH YEAR !
O
By RUTH ROSENQUIST
One year ago , the Global Pickleball Federation ( GPF ) launched with lofty goals as the international governing body for pickleball , with a “ Pickleball for the World ” mission .
The GPF is a not-for-profit entity focused on the integrity and development of pickleball across the globe — from grassroots to recreational and high-performance levels .
GPF ’ s ethical bylaws are designed to lead the sport of pickleball to International Olympic Committee recognition . The GPF Rule Book serves as the standard for 52 GPF member countries and growing . The constant interplay between the GPF with its continental and national federations ensures uniform standards across all levels , to maintain the integrity and quality of pickleball worldwide .
The GPF working board of directors will serve until November 2025 . The current board is comprised of 14 international visionaries , many of whom have personally introduced pickleball in Australia , Ghana , Ireland , Mexico , the Philippines , Poland , Chile and beyond .
GPF 2024 Milestones :
• Sanctioned the historic 13th African Games in Ghana .
• Two GPF members are the first to have pickleball inducted into their country ’ s Olympic Committee : Philippine Pickleball Federation and Polski Pickleball .
• Trained referees in China , Poland , Egypt , Madagascar , Peru and England .
• Contributed at industry events in Princeton , Las Vegas and Dubai .
• Rolled out the Active8 Strategic Plan .
• Onboarded 52 member countries with dozens more in the pipeline .
• Pickleball United sponsorship of GPF Member Kits .
• Formed a Legal Committee .
• Launched the world ’ s first international pickleball court and game finder with Pickleheads .
• Established a worldwide Training and Coaching endorsement program .
• Hosted more than 20 global leaders for a deep dive into the 2024 USA Pickleball National Championships .
• Held GPF ’ s first Annual General Meeting ( AGM ), with individuals from more than 15 countries in attendance and others joining virtually .
“ The inaugural AGM of the preeminent international federation for pickleball was historic ,” said President Javier Regalado . “ Now the GPF is poised to lead global pickleball ’ s upward momentum into the next chapter .” •
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