Questions Related to Actifest 2010 - Pickleball Event

I am receiving many questions about the Pickleball Event in the Ontario Senior Games, Actifest, 2010. I would like to point out that this is the first time Pickleball has been a sanctioned event at the Summer Senior Games. This means there is no precedent to go by and I have the honour of being the first convener or tournament chair. Many members of the volunteer committee planning Actifest have had little or no involvement in previous Actifest events. In summary, this is a steep learning curve for all of us. Here are some answers to general questions that I can answer from meetings and information I have receiv
General Answers
. players generally qualify by winning a category at the district level. Players that live in districts that do not have a pickleball event may qualify in another district if there is room and the district president gives his or her okay. You still maybe able to qualify if a district needs a player to complete a category.

. all registration and collection of fees is done at the district level and that the deadline is June 28, 2010.

. there are no refunds if participants do not want the accommodation - you pay the same amount, $150, if you stay elsewhere or return home each day. No discounts period.
. if you wish to bring a spouse that is not competing the registration fee goes up to $250. There is a limited amount of accommodation and they are expecting 1100 plus participants for all events.
.the events will take place on both August 11 and 12th. You are guaranteed to play pickleball on both those days. The closing ceremonies will take place on the 12th and medals awarded to each event so play will end early that day.

. pickleball has to be a round robin best 2 out of 3 matches to 11 points. That is not my decision but was made by the rules committee. Until I know the number of teams and the scorer and I have a chance to run the numbers through the computer, we will not know the exact schedule. We have to make sure we get the allotted games in.
. pickleball will take place at the University of Oshawa Institute of Technology, UOIT.
. I will be following the Pickleball Canada/usapa official rules book. The two exceptions are the 5 serve rule and all paddles will be allowed as long as they meet the 24 inch circumference rule
. all games will be referred but no lines people will be used this time. Anyone interesting in referring, contact me at rwroswell@gmail.com or 905 985-5022. I am trying to get as many non participants to referee as possible.
. I cannot give you the exact hours of play each day because that will depend on the number of participants and the format laid out by the planning committee. If I have the final decision, we will start early and end in a reasonable time, so players have free time in the evenings to enjoy the sites or socialize, another word for party.
. I know some districts offer sponsorship for participants but that is up to the district and how their funding is arranged. This has nothing to to with the Ontario Senior Games Association. Clubs and centres may want to consider some fund raising to help players defray some of the cost in the future. Most of us did not expect the registration fee to be this high but this is an expensive event to run for any city. The other thing players must remember is that this is covering accommodation, meals, entertainment, transportation, and a jacket for two full days.
Sorry if I do not have all the answers but I am really only involved with the Pickleball event.
For more information and general information go to http://www.actifest2010.com/Welcome.html. You will find a list of the people in charge of different functions under Contact Us.