Board Members

 With 25 years as a PE teacher and sports coach, Jen immediately recognised the value of pickleball as a highly inclusive activity to be embraced   by participants of all ages and ability levels, and developed into a sport for life. 

To enable the development of others, Jen attained IPTPA Level 1 certification to supplement her coaching knowledge, and enjoys regularly running coaching sessions and introductory clinics. 

As a Selkirk sponsored player, Jen also values the competitive opportunities this sport has to offer, and has coordinated the establishment and running of the Brisbane Doubles Open, the Australian Pickleball Championships, and the Queensland Pickleball Championships over the last couple of years.

Jen was a founding member and Secretary of Brisbane Pickleball Club, is in her third term as President of the Pickleball Association of Queensland and as a founding board member of Pickleball Australia Association Ltd., is keen to build the presence of Pickleball across Australia for school students through to those participants in the 90+ age bracket. 

As the newly appointed Board Chair, Jen hopes to support State Members with development and implementation of programs and policies to drive pickleball growth across Australia while also looking outward and creating connections with the International pickleball scene.

Ian Daniels was elected a Director of Pickleball Australia Association Limited in January 2021, and is now the Secretary and Company Secretary after successful nomination in October 2021.

Governance is his forte. His desire to gain national recognition of Pickleball is grounded in his passion for sport and his commitment to social justice throughout our community.

Ian plays competition cricket, tennis and Pickleball and serves on the Boards of several charities.

Ian maintains his love of cricket and tennis but he has been fanatical about Pickleball since first playing it in 2018.

His ‘near evangelical’ zeal has ensured that, despite COVID, he reached his goal of personally turning 20 people into committed Pickleball players during 2020.

Melissa Carlton is based in Tasmania and has been playing Pickleball since 2018.  She became a member of the Pickleball Australia Association in April 2021.

She has had over 20 years of senior experience in sport and recreation management at a local government level and in the not-for-profit sector.  

She has also represented Australia in Swimming at the 1996 and 2000 Paralympic Games, and one of her roles on the National Board is to build on the inclusive values of Pickleball and facilitate the growth and development of Para Pickleball.

Now retired from the sport and recreation industry, Melissa works in the field of Education and is an Alderman for the Glenorchy Council.

Nick Cooper was introduced to Pickleball 6 years ago in Colorado, USA by his father-in-law. Having a tennis and squash background, it did not take long before Nick was addicted to Pickleball and the culture surrounding the game.

Nicks passion for this sport has seen him involved in tournament organisation, coaching players, and supporting all and any pickleball events where possible.  He is also setting a standard for others to follow having won a number of titles in both Singles and Doubles Events in various tournaments.

Enthusiasm to grow the sport of Pickleball and Nick’s passion for business, led to him to become a member of the Pickleball Australia Association board. 

Conratulations to Mitchell for his appoinment to the board.

Further details on Mitchell will be coming shortly.

Like most, I googled Pickleball and found an indoor venue in my next door suburb of Coorparoo. Went to watch and the enthusiastic welcoming players soon had me on the court. Loved the game since.  Play regularly and have introduced many family and friends to Pickleball as a great social and healthy activity.

Pickleball, what else could I play that provides for my ten-year-old granddaughter and me to have fun on the court.  I have played in tournaments and Championships, but I am no threat to medals, I love the healthy activity and the social nature of our Pickleball.

I have been playing in Brisbane since 2017.  I joined the PAA Inc Committee in 2018, then President of Brisbane Pickleball Club for 2019-2020.

Now serving on the Board of PAA Ltd in January 2020.

Congratulations to Anup for his board appointment.

Further details regarding Anup will be coming shortly.

We are very appreciative of the following board members for their committment, time, and efforts in helping with the establishment, growth and development of pickleball in Australia.  More importantly they are recognised for cotributions to the Pickleball Australia Association Board.

Bob Mendelsohn: Board Member and Board Chair - Jan 2020 - October 2021

Tobias Copeland: Board Member - March 2020 - Feb 2022

Tony Morgan: Board Member - Jan 2020 - Feb 2022