Message from the Team Captain

2026 started like any other year, but a few months into the season, we were invited to join the new Okanagan Pickleball League (OPL) to replace a club that couldn’t continue. After quickly polling our members, we found a great group of players eager to give it a shot.  I couldn’t believe that within just one week, we rallied 16 players willing to travel to Vernon for our first match, brainstormed a massive list of potential team names, and voted on our favorite. By the time our first session started, the Net Ninjas were officially born!

The league was structured with club teams divided into two groups of four within two divisions. The format was inspired by the Major League Pickleball (MLP), with each team having two women and two men. While we occasionally struggled to fill those roles, several of our amazing women stepped up and competed in the men's positions when needed. When we weren't on the court, we were on the sidelines cheering our teammates on to victory. Our 3.5-level players absolutely crushed it this season, really carrying the momentum, while our 4.0 players delivered remarkably steady, even performances session after session.

What I loved most was the team atmosphere. Going from playing a match to immediately supporting teammates from the sidelines created an incredible sense of camaraderie. The league gave everyone a chance to meet new people within the broader pickleball community and experience a tournament-style environment without the pressure often associated with competition. Another highlight was the social aspect. After every session, our team gathered for a social event where we got to know one another better, often alongside players from other clubs. Those connections and friendships became just as valuable as the games themselves.

I am incredibly proud of how we pulled this team together on such short notice to make this trial season a massive success, and I am already looking forward to another great OPL season next year. I want to extend a huge thank you to every member who participated—especially those who braved the long travel days when matches were far from home.

Special thanks go out to our sponsor, KOBO Pickleball, for providing our initial batch of team shirts so we could proudly display our awesome new name and logo.

Finally, thank you to the WKPC for allowing us to host a few home sessions, giving us the perfect opportunity to show visiting clubs our amazing courts and signature hospitality.

OPL 2027, here we come!

Your Ninja Captain,
Tina Herrmann