The World Pickleball Federation (GPF) has introduced the outcomes of its first-ever member-led election, confirming ten newly-elected At-Giant Board Administrators who will now serve alongside the Continental Federation Chairs. This marks a major milestone within the sport’s governance, with illustration spanning Asia, the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Oceania.
A Landmark Election
On 27 Might 2026, all GPF Full Member International locations in good standing participated within the historic vote, with the GPF opening nominations for mentioned positions again in March. Carried out by means of an impartial third-party platform, the method was overseen and verified by the Nominating and Vetting Committee, guaranteeing transparency and credibility.
This election indicators a brand new period for pickleball governance, shifting in direction of a member-led construction the place nationwide federations have a direct say in shaping the game’s world course.
The Ten At-Giant Administrators
In alphabetical order, the newly-elected At-Giant Board Administrators are:
- Chandler Carney (Chile) – A former Division I volleyball participant, now spearheading pickleball development in South America by means of Chile Juega Pickleball.
- Cynthia Clark (Canada) – Recognised for her management in Canadian pickleball improvement and worldwide outreach.
- Roger Keevy (South Africa) – A key determine in increasing pickleball throughout Africa, bringing organisational experience and grassroots focus.
- Ngoc Nguyen (United States) – An advocate for inclusivity and accessibility in pickleball, with robust ties to group programmes.
- Rika Riordan (Japan) – Chairperson of Pickleball Japan, instrumental in unifying Japan’s governing our bodies earlier this 12 months.
- Ruth Rosenquist (United States) – Identified for her advertising and marketing and communications experience, serving to pickleball attain wider audiences.
- Raymond Schuster (Samoa) – A pioneer in Oceania, working to determine pickleball pathways in Pacific nations.
- Steve Sidwell (United States) – Serving as Vice President of GPF, with in depth expertise in governance and officiating requirements.
- Leonardo Stango (Venezuela) – A driving drive in Latin America, selling aggressive play and grassroots enlargement.
- Erika Von Heiland Strader (United States) – A former Olympian, now devoted to teaching and instruction inside pickleball.
What This Means for Pickleball
The At-Giant Administrators will chair key committees inside GPF, overlaying areas equivalent to membership, officiating, advertising and marketing, teaching, and group improvement. Their collective experience displays the game’s fast globalisation, with pickleball now firmly established throughout continents.
This election additionally underscores pickleball’s dedication to transparency and inclusivity, guaranteeing that voices from various areas form its future.
Wanting Forward
The newly-elected administrators will start their phrases instantly, working alongside the 5 Continental Federation Chairs: Javier Regalado (Americas), Jen Ramamurthy (Oceania), Babatunde Epoyun (Africa), Aditya Khanna (Asia), and Marcin Matysik (Europe). Collectively, they kind a governance workforce tasked with guiding pickleball by means of its subsequent section of worldwide development.
As pickleball continues to surge worldwide, this board represents each continuity and alter—skilled leaders mixing with recent voices, all united by a shared mission: to professionalise, develop, and safeguard the game’s future.
In brief: pickleball’s governance has taken a decisive step ahead. With ten new At-Giant Administrators becoming a member of the fold, the GPF is now higher positioned to steadiness world illustration with native realities, guaranteeing the game thrives from grassroots to elite competitors.
