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.

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.

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. 

I’ve played tennis for as long as I can remember.. I’ve been coaching it now for almost 40 years.

Never did I think I would find a sport  to equal my love of tennis. 

Then 6 months ago I was told about Pickleball and thought huh? So I too googled it. 

What can I say except I’m hooked on this sport! I can’t wait to see it develop and grow in the years to come. I hope I can lend a helping hand to bring Pickleball into the spotlight and watch everyone join this already amazing community.

I was introduced to pickleball late 2020 and have found the sport and its community to be amazing. Having played squash as a social weekly event in my thirties it was great to find a game that I was able to play and be competitive in.

After selling our business in 2016, and being out of the workforce by choice, early retirement, I used my time and energy and became an active member of the Yeppoon Tennis Club Inc, PICKLEBALL. I took a leading role in the development of the Pickleball facilities at Yeppoon. From engaging with Local Government, to securing the site, Grant writing and sponsorship to raise funds to progress development of 8 permanent dedicated courts.

I bring to the association experience from an employer’s, business manager/owners prospective, 10 years and 22 years in a public service role. My personal profile is best described as a completer finisher with tendencies for ideas and thinking outside the box, energetic and goal orientated. I have a specific interest in facilities and club development.

Professional history:

I have had a long career in the installation and management of software systems in the SME sector. My last full-time position was as IT Manager at Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust from 2009-2016 during which time I was responsible for the IT systems and infrastructure supporting all events held within that precinct, most notably seven Australian Opens and & 300+ other sporting and concert events per year.

Since my ‘retirement’ in 2016 I have been engaged on a contractual part-time basis for consulting services in the field of IT accounting, security and networking systems. Since 2021 I have cut back my work so I can enjoy more leisure time (and play pickleball).

Sporting History (Ancient and current):

Ancient:

I was a member of the Victorian Women’s Squash Team from 1978-82 and a member of the Australian Squad from 1980-82 during which time I played the international squash circuit with some success gaining a world ranking of 17. I was the coach of the Netherlands Womens Squash Team at the European Championships 1983-4 whilst I was resident in the Netherlands during those years.

Current:

I am a member of the Victorian State Team which competed at the Battle of the Border against NSW in 2022. I competed at the Tasmanian PB Championships in June 2022 and won a Silver medal in the 60+ Mixed Doubles 3.5 and under. I competed in the Queensland PB Championships in July 2022 and won a Bronze medal in the Womens 35+ Doubles 3.5 and above.

Relevant Qualifications:

Certified Australian Competent Manager – Aust Institute Management/Deakin University

Graduate Diploma in Sports Science (Monash University)

Level 3 squash coach, Level 2 Fitness advisor.

Summary:

I am very keen to promote and be actively involved in the development and growth of Pickleball which I consider to be a great sport for both social and competitive players at all levels.

Kaden started his Pickleball journey in 2018 becoming an IPTPA Level 2 certified coach.  After retiring from professional tennis in the early 2010’s, Kaden immediately noticed the differences between the 2 sports in regards to both culture and inclusivity.  Kaden also found that the warmth and encouragement felt towards players who aren’t aspiring to be champions, along with the well documented health benefits for all ages, makes Pickleball an obvious choice for one of the fastest growing sports in the world.  

Kaden currently competes in Pickleball tournaments around Australia and is the current Australian Doubles Champion as well as the current Pan Pacific Masters Games Singles and Doubles Champion.  Kaden’s goal is to compete against many of his former tennis colleagues and friends in the US who have also embarked on a career in Pickleball.

With Pickleball expanding at such a rapid rate across Australia, Kaden is passionate about shaping both the social and competitive landscapes to maximise inclusivity.

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 - Oct  2021

Tobias Copeland: Board Member;   March 2020 - Feb 2022

Tony Morgan: Board Member;  Jan 2020 - Feb 2022

Melissa Carlton: Board Member;  May 2021 - Oct 2022

Mitchell Dun: Board Member;  Jan - Oct 2022

Anup Takle: Board Member;   Feb to Oct 2022