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.

Tom Burnell – Secretary and Privacy Officer

Prior to his retirement in March 2022, Tom spent 27 years as CEO of a large non-profit society. Over the years, Tom has actively volunteered on several Board of Directors. Tom is a long-time advocate for diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of life. As a long-time participant of racquet sports, Tom stumbled on pickleball after his retirement. Now he, and his wife, have the pickleball bug. Similar to many on the Surrey Pickleball Board of Directors, Tom hopes to support the growth and accessibility of pickleball in Surrey and to put the club on the map as the preeminent destination for pickleball in BC.

Doug King - Vice President, Player Development, and Youth Programme Coordinator

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”.