Surrey Pickleball Club

Ken Nowlan –  President

Ken spent 35 years in the management consulting business, building and running a firm with a list of clients throughout the world. Since his “retirement” from consulting in early 2018, he has taken up pickleball with a passion. As well as playing through SPC and various other White Rock, Surrey, Langley and Delta locations, he plays on Maui and in the Palm Springs area. However, not yet fully retired, Ken runs a wellness and nutrition business with his wife, Elizabeth.

Ali Nanji – Treasurer

Ali was introduced to pickleball in 2019, and acquired an affinity for the game. He says: "It is a good sport which everyone and all ages can play at their own level. It is quick game and it provides a very good social network. Depending on your personal expectation and desire, you can play at almost any level and get a good workout both indoors and outdoors." A CPA, Ali has owned several businesses in Surrey over the past 45 years.  He has been a director for several not-for-profit organizations and helped provide guidance and support to these organizations to grow.

Edie Doepker – Secretary and Privacy Officer

Edie had a career in the public sector with progressive strategic leadership and management experience in building community and organizational capacity. Upon retirement, she took on the President’s role with a charitable organization near and dear to her heart; Kids Up Front, whose mission is to provide access to sport, culture and recreation activities for needy and vulnerable kids.  Pickleball came onto the scene for Edie while vacationing in Phoenix and has become her number one choice of physical activity – next to skiing, golf, biking, yoga, walking, swimming…..

Doug King - Vice President, Player Development and League Coordination

Doug began playing pickleball in January 2018, after having hip replacement surgery. In his pre-retired life he was a Biomedical Engineer at St Paul’s Hospital for 30 years. You can often find him exercising at the gym or running the 1001 steps (really only 234) in Ocean Park.  He also loves to play singles pickleball, so call him if you’re interested.  

Rick Vandusen - Tournament Coordinator

After selling his share of a business in Surrey and retiring in April of 2018, Rick was looking for an activity that both he and his wife (Mel) could do together. They sort of stumbled onto the game of pickleball by signing up for beginner lessons at the South Surrey Rec Ctr. It’s safe to say that after completing that course, a true pickleball addiction hit the Vandusen household hard! Rick started taking clinics everywhere he could & started entering tournaments, all in the effort to improve his game (the jury is still out on whether that is working or not). By joining the board of directors, Rick hopes that any small contribution that he can make, will help pickleball flourish in our area and who knows, maybe someday we’ll even have dedicated pickleball courts to play on…….     If you want t o find a statement that will bring a smile to Rick’s face while on the courts, just say “0-0-2”.

 Sue Livesey - Play Coordinator/Play Captain Coordinator (and Chief Referee)

I discovered pickleball in Arizona in 2013 along with my husband Bob. Although we tried it and took the beginner lessons, we didn't get into it right away. By 2015 we took it a little more seriously. We didn't just play in Arizona, we joined the SPC in 2016 and now I’m one of the addicted.

I spent most of my business life doing bookkeeping and accounting in family-owned businesses along with raising a family. My passion in life, pre-pickleball, was dancing which I pursued from childhood thru to my early 20's. I renewed that passion from age 40 thru to my mid 60's but now consider pickleball to be my passion. It’s a great way to be a fit, engaged and active senior and I consider myself lucky that I get to share it with Bob.

 Shaida Nanji - Member Relations/Social Coordinator/Junior Program Coordinator

I was introduced to pickleball about 4 years ago, but really started playing the game more frequently when I joined the Surrey Pickleball Club. I love meeting new people and since I have joined the club have made many friends.

I am very competitive, I love the challenge , learning new techniques, entering tournaments , I am in the process of learning how to become a referee.  Pickleball has opened a whole new world for me and it is my Happy Place.

Tom Westendorf - Marketing and Sponsorship Coordinator 

I was introduced to Pickleball about 5 years ago and started playing it while on holiday in Palm Springs.   Since then, I’ve been obsessed with the sport and very fortunate that I discovered it just prior to retirement.   It’s a great sport to keep you active, healthy, social and busy.

Sandy Anderson - Volunteer Coordinator

Since retiring a few years ago from a career in health care I had been looking for some outdoor activity other than the hiking I do to keep me occupied and fit.  In the summer of 2015 after just one game I knew I had found what I had been looking for.
I enjoy being challenged to improve in this, at times, frustrating game, but as long as I continue to enjoy playing and spending time with the many friends I have made in the pickle all community I plan on playing for as long as I can.

Paul Tucker - External Clinics Coordinator and Member-at-Large

Living most of his life in Toronto, Paul had not heard of pickleball. It was not until he moved to B. C. 4 years ago the game was mentioned. He went to visit his cousin in Florida a couple of years ago saw and dedicated pickleball courts in her complex. It took him until last summer to finally try the game and 6 months to refer to it as a "paddle" and not call it a "racquet". What a Great Game.