Pickleball Legends

Episode 17: Will Parton

On this episode of Pickleball Legends, I'm joined by Will Parton — the founder of Hitch, the fast-growing app helping pickleball, tennis, and padel players find compatible partners and build real playing communities.With a background in tech, Will combined his passion for racquet sports with a simple frustration many players know too well: finding the right people to play with consistently. We dive into the growth of Hitch, how technology is reshaping social sport, why “finding your pickleball people” matters more than ever, and the future of player matching, communities, and recreational sport. This is a really interesting conversation about entrepreneurship, connection, modern pickleball culture, and building something meaningful from a real-world problem.

Episode 16: Tony Charanduk

In this episode of Pickleball Legends, we sit down with Tony Charanduk—a visionary building what could become one of the most open and globally inclusive pathways in the sport. As a founding leader of PKL.CLUB, Tony is rethinking how players rise through the ranks. His mission is simple: create a system where anyone, from anywhere in the world, can earn their way to the top through pure performance—no politics, no closed-door rankings, just results on the court. But this isn’t just about players—it’s about transforming pickleball into a true spectator sport. Tony dives into how PKL’s model brings fans into the action, from interactive match experiences to innovative formats that blur the line between player and audience. By integrating global tournaments, community-driven competition, and even emerging tech, he’s aiming to make pickleball more engaging, more accessible, and more watchable than ever before.We explore his vision of a worldwide competitive pathway—where local qualifiers feed into regional, national, and eventually global championships—giving undiscovered talent a legitimate shot at the big stage. It’s a system designed not just to crown champions, but to unlock opportunity for players who might otherwise never be seen. From grassroots growth to global ambition, Tony shares how PKL.CLUB is building a new ecosystem around pickleball—one that empowers players, connects communities, and opens the door for the next generation of legends.This episode is about more than a sport—it’s about access, opportunity, and the future of competition on a global scale.

Episode 15: Stefan Entbrouxk

In this episode, we sit down with Stefan Entbrouxk, a Level 2 pickleball referee from Belgium, to explore the game from a perspective most players rarely see — the official behind the call. Stefan shares his journey into officiating, what it takes to become a certified referee, and the key role referees play in maintaining fairness, integrity, and flow in competitive pickleball. From handling tight line calls to managing player emotions in high-pressure moments, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how matches are truly controlled. We also dive into the growth of pickleball across Europe, the differences in officiating standards, and why consistency in rules enforcement is crucial as the sport scales globally. Whether you’re a player, coach, or tournament organiser, this conversation offers valuable insight into the structure, discipline, and decision-making that underpin the modern game. 🎧 Expect stories, practical knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the people keeping pickleball fair, balanced, and competitive.

Special Episode: Exciting News!

This is a special mini episode of the Pickleball Legends Podcast where we share three exciting pieces of news that are set to improve your pickleball experience 👇🔥 What’s inside this episode:✅ A major Pickle Pals app update – smoother, faster, and easier to use✅ The brand new tap2score system with referee mode and live scoring✅ A special guest appearance from Gregory Storm, who’s heading to the UK for an exclusive coaching clinic tour🇬🇧 Gregory Storm UK Tour Dates:📍 Dinks Pickleball Club – 15th May📍 Torquay – 17th May📍 Sheffield – 23rd May📍 Ireland – from 24th May📲 Download Pickle Pals:https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/picklepals/id6752900869https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.picklepalsapp.appTake your pickleball sessions to the next level with:Live scoring (tap2score)Referee modeSmarter session managementCleaner, faster app experience💬 Get involvedIf you enjoyed this episode:👍 Like the video💬 Drop a comment🔔 Subscribe for more pickleball content

Episode 14: Mike Tonet

Episode 14 of Pickleball Legends features Mike Tonet — Belgian pickleball player, coach, referee, and founder of the Tak Tac Academy — alongside a very special guest, his dog Kira.In this episode, I sit down with Mike to talk about his journey in pickleball, the growth of the sport in Belgium and across Europe, and what it takes to wear so many hats in the game. As a player, coach, and referee, Mike brings a well-rounded perspective on pickleball, along with his passion for developing the sport through the Tak Tac Academy.We also have a special appearance from Kira, adding a bit of extra character to the conversation.We discuss coaching, competition, officiating, and the future of pickleball, making this a great listen for anyone interested in how the sport is growing internationally and the people helping push it forward.