Lord Selkirk’s Ainsley Simpson and Emily Beattie nearly ran the table at the inaugural Pickleball Manitoba High School Tournament, earning silver in a nail-biting finish at the Dakota Fieldhouse on May 16.
The Grade 10 duo went undefeated until the gold-medal game in the Girls Doubles Recreational Division, falling just short in an 11-9 match against St. Mary’s Academy.
Their success stemmed from strong team chemistry, having played hockey, soccer and volleyball together in the past—and having known each other for most of their lives.
Now, after trading their hockey sticks for paddles, the pair plans to return next year.
“I’m more of a defensive player and Emily’s more offensive, and I feel like that balances out,” said Simpson. “We just work well together and we’ve been friends since kindergarten, so we trust and know each other.”
The team was coached by Pickleball Manitoba board member and director of coaching Kim Ezzard-Simpson while Lord Selkirk’s Trevor Churchill was the team supervisor.
Ezzard-Simpson said their strategy was to keep the ball away from the other team’s top player—a tactic that proved effective, as the Royals nearly swept the tournament.
Lord Selkirk also sent the team of Addie Meger and Douglas Hanslip, who showed well in their first pickleball competition, competing in the Recreational Mixed Doubles Division.
Ezzard-Simpson said she hopes the event continues to grow.
“The level of play was really strong at the top, and then there were recreational players who were brand new to the sport,” she said. “What’s really incredible about pickleball is that it’s a lifelong sport. You can play from now to 100, and it doesn’t cost very much, so it’s something you can enjoy with your family.”
