While members of Team Poach can be found coast-to-coast across North America, it was the BC players who were the focus last weekend. Pickleball BC held its first ever provincial tournament which saw over 600 players attend from around the province. Spearheaded by Richard Chambers from the Vernon Pickleball Club, the 4-day tournament was a huge success.
Sunny Buttar (Team Poach) from Oliver managed to take bronze in Men's 5.0 Singles on the Thursday. While Poach Founder/CEO Brett Forsythe picked up a double silver in 5.0 Men's Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
"The level gets better every tournament" said Brett, when asked what he thought of the calibre of play. "The mens field was stacked and any of the teams could have taken the win. ... If you aren't improving daily, you get left behind. There are several great athletes committing themselves to the sport. If you want to play at the next level, you have to earn it."
The final was an all-Kamloops final, with Chris Ross and Jeremy Comazzetto picking up the win 11-6,11-8 over Brett and his partner Brent Jackson. "Brent and I are still figuring out the finer details of our partnership. We have come along way but both agree that we have another level we can reach."
Look for the Brett and Brent duo to come out swinging at the Kamloops Open (June 9-11). Followed by Canadian National Pickleball League (CNPL) Western tryouts in Vernon the following weekend.
The CNPL draft event will be held at the beginning of July and will see 8 teams of 4 athletes (2 men & 2 women).
