At Fairgrounds, we believe sport has the power to bring people together. Our Head Pickleball Professional is much more than a coach - they are the face of our pickleball community, an ambassador for the sport, a mentor to our coaching team, and a driving force behind creating exceptional player experiences every day.
This full time role is responsible for developing an energetic, welcoming and inclusive pickleball culture while delivering world-class coaching, innovative programming and unforgettable events. The Head Pickleball Professional plays a key leadership role in growing the Fairgrounds community and helping establish Fairgrounds as Canada's premier destination for pickleball.
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Serve as the primary ambassador for pickleball at Fairgrounds Leaside.
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Create a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere that encourages participation, friendships and community.
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Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, positivity and exceptional customer service.
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Recruit, onboard, mentor and manage the pickleball coaching team.
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Foster a collaborative coaching culture focused on continuous improvement and member experience.
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Represent Fairgrounds within the local pickleball community and act as a champion for the growth of the sport.
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Develop, maintain and continually refine the pickleball programming calendar in collaboration with the General Manager.
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Deliver innovative clinics, lessons, events and player development opportunities for all skill levels.
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Host DUPR rating sessions and new member onboarding experiences.
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Identify opportunities to improve the player journey and increase participation.
Provide exceptional coaching through:
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Private lessons
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Semi-private lessons
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Group clinics
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Leagues
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Introductory programs
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High-performance training
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Community events
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Corporate programs
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Specialty clinics
Maintain the highest coaching standards while creating a fun, encouraging and motivating environment for every player.
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Assist in the planning and hosting of tournaments, leagues and flagship Fairgrounds events.
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Create memorable player experiences that build excitement and strengthen the Fairgrounds community.
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Support sponsor activations and special events as required.
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Manage pickleball WhatsApp groups and facilitate member matchmaking and community engagement.
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Encourage player participation through regular communication and relationship building.
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Recruit and assist in hiring coaching staff.
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Schedule, mentor and support the coaching team.
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Ensure all coaches maintain professional standards.
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Manage coach availability through PodPlay.
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Approve schedule adjustments when necessary.
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Review and reconcile coach invoicing monthly.
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Provide ongoing coaching education and best-practice sharing.
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Enforce coach scheduling requirements and PodPlay availability standards.
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Submit weekly updates, including:
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Wins
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Challenges
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Action items
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Monitor lesson quality and member feedback.
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Ensure programs begin and finish on schedule.
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Support club initiatives and operational excellence.
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NCCP Level 2 Certified Pickleball Coach (or an equivalent recognized coaching certification).
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Registered and in good standing with the appropriate provincial and/or national coaching organization.
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Minimum 3 to 5 years of progressive pickleball coaching experience, including private lessons, group instruction, clinics, leagues and player development.
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Proven leadership experience, including mentoring or managing other coaches.
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Demonstrated ability to build and grow an engaged pickleball community.
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Strong organizational, communication and event management skills.
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Experience using scheduling and booking platforms (such as PodPlay) is considered an asset.
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Passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences and creating a welcoming, inclusive environment.
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A commitment to continuous learning and helping grow the sport of pickleball across Canada.
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Employee Benefits
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Complimentary Fairgrounds Unlimited Membership.
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Fairgrounds will actively pursue sponsorship opportunities for the Head Pickleball Professional.
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Immediate family members receive 50% off Fairgrounds memberships.
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Opportunity to help shape the future of pickleball across all Fairgrounds locations in Canada.
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Base salary of $30,000 CAD + + coaching OTE nearly 70K
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Coaching revenue earned through lessons, clinics and specialized programming is separate and administered in accordance with Fairgrounds coaching policies.
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Two weeks paid vacation
