Local man elected president of International Federation of Pickleball
Steve Sidwell.
–Steve Sidwell was elected International Federation of Pickleball President by the IFP Board on Wednesday. The North American from Paso Robles, California succeeds Mike Hess who just completed his two-year term commitment as IFP President. Sidwell will also serve a two-year term throughout 2019 and 2020. Hess will remain on the IFP board to support Sidwell in his new role.
“These are very exciting times for pickleball around the world and I’m looking forward to building on the IFP’s momentum to continue extending the sport worldwide,” said incoming President Sidwell. “Mike (Hess) helped establish our global event with the IFP Bainbridge Cup, and David Jordan has increased our membership to 15 countries, including recent IFP members China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Australia & Scotland” added Steve.
“We’re thrilled to have Steve assume the leadership role for the IFP”, claimed the outgoing Hess. “He brings a wealth of knowledge through his experience as USAPA West Region Director and will be able to leverage his previous international work experience with our member countries worldwide” adds Hess. Sidwell has been a USAPA Ambassador since 2014 and was a founding member of the Paso Robles Pickleball Club. The IFP’s 3rd Annual Bainbridge Cup is the world’s premier global team competition, featuring elite and amateur players. The IFP will celebrate its 3rd annual Cup this July in Germany from July 10-14, 2019. The Bainbridge Cup was held in Spain in 2017 and Italy in 2018.
In addition, IFP country members now span the globe with “National Pickleball Association” members that include: USAPA, Pickleball Canada, Pickleball Spain, All India Pickleball, Pickleball France, Pickleball Germany, Pickleball Italy, Pickleball England, Pickleball Scotland, Dutch Pickleball, Pickleball Australia, Pickleball China, Pickleball Hong Kong, Pickleball Taipei and Pickleball Korea.
Established in 2015, the International Federation of Pickleball (IFP) is the world governing body of pickleball. The IFP’s mission is to perpetuate the development and growth of the sport throughout the world by introducing pickleball to all nations so that they may embrace the sport as one of their national sports, and ultimately to achieve official recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in order to establish pickleball as an Olympic sport.
The IFP is a non-profit, volunteer organization committed to promoting international play and competition, maintaining the official rules for pickleball, and providing a worldwide code of conduct for pickleball athletes. The IFP focuses its resources on supporting organizations that foster the sport around the world for all ages and ability levels.
The IFP offers all national and regional pickleball associations and federations who desire to join in membership for the advancement of pickleball an opportunity to participate and contribute to that growth. These purposes are fulfilled through the aims and objectives of the IFP.
Comments
