Swiss Pickleball Association achieves full member status with the IPF - another milestone in our development!
The Swiss Pickleball Association has proudly achieved another important step in its young history: we have been recognized as a Full member of the International Pickleball Federation (IPF) recognized! This is an outstanding success and underlines the quality of our organization, our solid structure and our commitment to sport - both nationally and internationally.
After just a few months, we were already able to Full member status with the European Pickleball Federation (EPF) which paved the way for this next significant recognition. The IPF Full Member Status is further evidence of our compliance with the highest standards required by international sports organizations. These standards include transparency, democratic organization, non-profit structure and a clear focus on promoting sport at all levels.
Why is this step so important?
With our recognition as a full member of the IPF, we are now officially part of the global pickleball community. This membership not only gives us the opportunity to represent Switzerland on an international level, but also strengthens our position within Europe and the world. It allows our players to participate in more international tournaments and puts us in a better strategic position to further develop pickleball in Switzerland.
Our next goal: Swiss Olympic
The next major milestone for the Swiss Pickleball Association is the recognition by Swiss Olympicthe umbrella organization for the sport in Switzerland. This recognition would pave the way for us to officially promote pickleball as an Olympic sport and integrate it into national sporting activities in the long term.
In order to achieve this goal, however, we still have to fulfill important requirements:
- 1000 active membersWe currently have 280 members, which shows that we still have a way to go. However, with growing interest and targeted campaigns, we are optimistic that we will achieve this goal.
- 20 clubs as membersWe currently have eight clubs integrated into the Swiss Pickleball Association. The foundation and integration of further clubs is therefore one of our key priorities for the coming years.
How we want to achieve these goals
In order to achieve these ambitious goals, we are relying on a variety of measures:
- Promotion of school and youth programs: Getting children and young people interested in pickleball remains a key focus. Thousands of children have already had their first experience of pickleball at school and sporting events.
- Tournaments and events: With the Swiss Pickleball Tour and other national tournaments, we offer platforms for new players and strengthen the community.
- Promoting club foundationsWe are actively working to help clubs set up, create courts and make pickleball accessible to everyone.
- Strengthening partnerships: Through cooperation with partners such as HEAD and Pro Pickleball and our participation in international committees, we can secure important resources for the further development of sport.
A look into the future
Being recognized as a full member of the IPF is not only a milestone, but also an incentive to keep pushing forward. The Swiss Pickleball Association has achieved a lot in a short space of time - but we are convinced that the best is yet to come.
Together with our members, clubs, partners and supporters, we want to take pickleball to the next level in Switzerland and beyond. We invite everyone to be part of this exciting journey - whether as a player, supporter or new club.
Let's pave the way together towards Swiss Olympic and make pickleball a sport for everyone in Switzerland!
Your President
Magnus Stedile-Foradori
