Airdrie Junior Pickleball Club
A group of children and teenagers gathered on a tennis or pickleball court, listening to an instructor. The court is outdoors with a chain-link fence and a lake in the background. Many children are wearing hats and holding paddles.

The Airdrie Pickleball Club’s Junior Program is a six‑week clinic designed to help young players—whether they’re picking up a paddle for the first time or already mastering the basics—take their game to the next level.

Led by certified coaches in a focused 1:4 coach‑to‑player structure, the program emphasizes building strong foundational skills such as grip, footwork, shot selection, and court positioning. Each session blends structured skill development with guided game play, giving players the chance to immediately apply what they’ve learned in real-time scenarios. This balance of instruction and in-game experience helps reinforce learning, build confidence, and develop strategic thinking. The clinic concludes with a fun and friendly in-house tournament, where players can showcase their progress and enjoy the excitement of competition in a supportive environment.

A woman smiling, wearing a medal around her neck, holding a large bar of soap with the words Quadar and Churco, at an indoor sports event.
A woman smiling, wearing sunglasses, a black cap, a white sleeveless shirt, and red shorts, standing in front of a Red Deer Pickleball banner. She has a medal around her neck and a black pouch labeled 'CRBN' hanging from it.

Dominic Farr

Bradley Saffran

Lori Gillespie

Kina Martin

A person playing pickleball in an indoor sports facility, preparing to hit a yellow ball with a paddle, wearing a baseball cap, navy T-shirt, shorts, and white sneakers.
Young man with light hair and a slight smile wearing a medal around his neck, standing in front of a chain-link fence and a black background with partial white text.
Woman smiling on a tennis court, wearing a colorful long-sleeve top, white skirt, and a white cap.

Veronique Dewilde

  • Kina Martin began playing pickleball in the summer of 2022. Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for the sport, dedicating many hours to growing the game in her community. In September 2023, Kina took on the role of President of the Airdrie Pickleball Club (APC), where she still tries to lead with vision and energy.

    One of her standout contributions has been launching the APC’s junior program, which quickly gained recognition across the province. Under her leadership, APC hosted one of the most well-attended Pickleball Alberta 2024 Junior Hot Shots programs in Alberta. Her efforts in player development and community engagement helped earn APC the prestigious Pickleball Alberta 2024 Club of the Year award.

    Kina is a Certified Level 1 NCPP coach, and her passion for pickleball is most visible when she's on the court—coaching, playing, and inspiring players of all ages. She is especially committed to introducing youth to the sport and building a supportive, inclusive pickleball community.

  • Lori Gillespie has won multiple gold medals at the 3.5 level in both ladies doubles and mixed doubles.  She is an NCCP certified coach with first aid. She loves coaching beginners and intermediate players in a fun and fierce manner. She also hosts pickleball retreats with professional players and was featured on the podcast ‘Pickkeball and Partnerships’.

  • Hello! My name is Dominic Farr and I am 16 years old! I have been playing pickleball for over 7 years and started coaching a little over 3 years ago.

    Teaching is one of my favourite activities and helping people get better at the sport (while also enjoying it, of course) is my top priority.

  • Bradley Saffran, 19, is an emerging pickleball player who placed in his first pro tournament after two years in the sport.

    With a background in varsity basketball, volleyball, and tennis, he brings strong agility and court awareness to his game. Bradley is also dedicated to coaching youth and helping them develop their skills.

  • Veronique Dewilde is a Level 2 certified pickleball instructor, known for her dynamic coaching style and international reach. She leads clinics on cruises around the globe, combining travel and skill-building into unforgettable experiences for players of all levels. Back home in Airdrie, Alberta, she’s in her second year coaching the Pickleball Alberta “Hotshots” program—helping under-18 athletes develop into confident tournament players and community role models.

    Locally, Veronique is an active Level 2 coach with the Airdrie Pickleball Club, where she offers private and group lessons for intermediate players, and supports seasonal drill clinics to sharpen competitive skills. She also contributes behind the scenes, serving on the APC board. 

    As a 2025 Pickleball Canada Ambassador, Veronique is recognized nationwide for her dedication to the growth and promotion of pickleball in Canada.