Pickleball BC Association (“PBC”) Awards The 2026 Provincial Championships to The Nest/Steve Deakin Pickleball (“SDP”)

According to Steve Deakin: “We look forward to working closely with Pickleball BC to deliver an event that prioritizes and elevates the athlete experience. We are incredibly excited to welcome players of all ages and skill levels to The Nest and to showcase the amenities that make our facility such a special place to play.”

Founding partner Lorne Loiselle adds: “We are extremely excited to announce that we have been awarded the 2026 BC Provincial Pickleball Tournament. Our purpose-built facility is an ideal fit for this event, and we are confident that The Nest and Steve Deakin Pickleball will continue to build upon the exceptional work of previous Provincial Hosts and Pickleball BC. We look forward to delivering an outstanding tournament experience for players, spectators, and the entire pickleball community.”

The 2025 Provincial Championships
Last July 24th to 27th 2025 host PBC Affiliate Club Vernon Pickleball Association welcomed over 600 athletes and delivered an outstanding event. Richard Chambers, Chair Tournament Committee said: ”After 4 days, 5 events, 61 brackets and 1,002 matches, the Pickleball Depot 2025 BC Championships are ‘in the books’. … 175 volunteers gave it all they had to provide what we hope was a memorable event for every competitor. … After hosting two BC Championships and one Western Regional the past three years, it is the time to pass the torch to another community for 2026.” The Nest will be that next torch bearer.

The Nest: The Facility and the Championships
“We’re honoured to collaborate with Tsawwassen First Nation and Tsawwassen Mills in building a space where the athletic community can thrive,” said Lorne Loiselle. “With its state-of-the-art facilities and extensive programming, The Nest will redefine the pickleball and volleyball experience in Canada.”
• Class 1 professional lighting and 30-foot ceiling heights for optimal visibility and
gameplay
• 14 climate-controlled (air and heat with air exchangers) indoor pickleball courts with
spacious 8 – 10-foot perimeters for safe movement
• Class 1 professional lighting and 30-foot ceiling heights for optimal visibility and
gameplay
• Competition-grade nets and court dividers to ensure uninterrupted matches
• Access to 14 additional pickleball courts via flexible volleyball space, enabling a
total of 22 courts for major tournaments like the BC Provincials
• Outdoor surface courts in dual colours for enhanced ball tracking; and
• 5,500 square feet amenities space in 98,000 sq. ft. total.

Current planning details for the 2026 Championships include:

1. Skill level and age breakdowns are planned:
   1. Gender based doubles, mixed doubles and gender based full court singles.
   2. Skill levels from (inclusive) 3.0 to 4.5 and Open
   3. Age breakouts by event (13+ to 70+)
   4. Exceptions/Additions
      1. BC Provincial Team events
      2. U19 a possibility
2. Registration/Participation Criteria
   1. Registration fees will be set by The Nest/SDP in consultation with PBCA.
   2. Age determined as of December 31st, 2026
   3. Other requirements
      1. Open only to persons residing in the Province of BC as determined via Federal Income Tax reporting
      2. In lieu of Income Tax verification – spousal or guardian information may be requested
      3. Current PBCA member in good standing (and Pickleball Canada) at the time of registration and through the Tournament dates
3. Safety: Protective eye wear will be mandatory for all players on court including all practice time at all Tournament venues.

For more information stay tuned and see The Nest/SDP Press Release, website, and Instagram.
Newly released The Nest/SDP video.

About Steve Deakin Pickleball (SDP)
From The Nest website: “Steve Deakin’s journey in the world of sports is one of resilience, versatility, and mastery. Starting his athletic career in tennis, he achieved remarkable success, claiming 11 Canadian National Tennis Titles and earning an ATP ranking. After a shoulder injury in 2017 led him to explore pickleball, Steve transitioned seamlessly into the sport, quickly becoming one of the most accomplished players in its history. His competitive success includes multiple Canadian National Pickleball Championships and a standout undefeated 2024 season on the PPA Senior Pro Tour.

Today, Steve has transitioned from playing to coaching, bringing his wealth of experience and strategic mindset to the next generation of athletes. He currently serves as a coach for the Las Vegas Night Owls, where he focuses on developing players, refining techniques, and instilling a tactical approach to the game. Known for his patient and cerebral style, Steve’s coaching is a natural extension of his playing philosophy—emphasizing precision, strategic shot-making, and adaptability.

Looking ahead, Steve Deakin and Steve Deakin Pickleball (SDP) are set to make a new home in The Nest. Here, he will continue to elevate his coaching career, mentoring athletes and helping them reach their full potential in a dynamic, state-of-the-art environment. The Nest Sports represents a new chapter for Steve and SDP, where his impact on the sport will only continue to grow, both on the court and in coaching.”

According to David Snell, PBC President: “The Nest/SDP facility and services which are needed to meet the tremendous demand for our growing sport will set a new standard for indoor courts in BC and Canada. Also this marquee event will be a great opportunity for the Lower Mainland to experience our exciting, significant annual BC Championship event attended by hundreds of athletes, their fans, referees, and other important support personnel—and The Nest will be the perennial indoor pickleball court facility to host and welcome all.

Moreover, aside from the various BC Championship events that will be played, BC Provincial Team players will hone their skills well-displayed at the inaugural August 2025 Inter-Provincial Team Competition in Winnipeg (news and video here)! As the defending Gold Medal Champions going into the 2026 Nationals Interprovincial competition we are confident that they will do their best to bring the Cup back home. Also, let’s not forget BC players who will be selected again for the Team Canada 2026 Pickleball World Cup, where our 2025 Senior Team Division captured the Bronze Medal (news and video here).”

For more information, contact:
David Snell, PBC President
[email protected] ​