The Global Pickleball Federation (GPF) announced the results of its first-ever member-led election, bringing ten newly-elected At-Large Board Directors into leadership roles alongside Continental Federation Chairs.
The historic vote, held on Wednesday, May 27, saw all GPF Full Member Countries participate in the process, marking a significant moment in the sport’s rapid global evolution. The election was conducted through an independent third-party platform and supervised by the federation’s Nominating and Vetting Committee to ensure transparency and credibility.
Also Read: Pickleball Fashion Week Before A Pro League? Inside India’s Most Stylish Sporting Revolution
For a sport fast carving out its place in the global sporting ecosystem, the election represents more than a routine administrative exercise. It signals pickleball’s transition toward a governance model where national federations now have a direct role in shaping the future of the game.
The newly-elected At-Large Directors represent a broad geographical spread across Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas, underlining the sport’s growing international footprint.
The ten directors, listed alphabetically, are Chandler Carney (Chile), Cynthia Clark (Canada), Roger Keevy (South Africa), Ngoc Nguyen (United States), Rika Riordan (Japan), Ruth Rosenquist (United States), Raymond Schuster (Samoa), Steve Sidwell (United States), Leonardo Stango (Venezuela), and Erika Von Heiland Strader (United States).
Each brings a different layer of experience to the board. Carney has been heavily involved in growing pickleball in South America through Chile Juega Pickleball, while Clark has emerged as a key leader in Canadian pickleball development. Keevy has focused on expanding the sport across Africa, and Nguyen has advocated for inclusivity and accessibility through community programs.
Riordan played a central role in unifying Japan’s governing bodies earlier this year, while Rosenquist is known for her expertise in marketing and communications. Schuster has worked to establish pathways for pickleball in Pacific nations, and Sidwell, already serving as GPF Vice President, brings extensive governance and officiating experience. Stango has been instrumental in Latin America’s competitive and grassroots growth, while former Olympian Erika Von Heiland Strader has dedicated herself to coaching and instruction within the sport.
The directors will now chair major GPF committees covering membership, officiating, coaching, marketing, and community development. The federation believes the new structure will help balance local realities with the demands of an increasingly global sport.
The board will work alongside the five Continental Federation Chairs – Javier Regalado (Americas), Jen Ramamurthy (Oceania), Babatunde Epoyun (Africa), Aditya Khanna (Asia), and Marcin Matysik (Europe).
Also Read: Macao Hosts First-Ever PPA Tour Event; 600 Players Set to Compete
Pickleball’s governance landscape has often been fragmented, with multiple organizations attempting to steer the sport internationally. The GPF’s member-led model is being viewed as an effort to build stronger institutional credibility as pickleball pushes for wider global recognition and long-term stability.
As the sport continues to expand from community courts to professional arenas across continents, the newly-formed board now faces the challenge of ensuring pickleball’s growth remains inclusive, organized, and globally connected.
