Steve Deakin

Steve Deakin is Canada's top pickleball player and one of the most respected names in the sport north of the border. A former ATP-ranked tennis player from Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Deakin's path to pickleball began with a severe shoulder injury during the 2016 Young Senior Tennis Nationals in Montreal. His father dragged him to a local rec center to try this new paddle sport, and the underhand serve hooked him immediately. He went full-time in December 2019 and never looked back, becoming a multi-time Canadian National Champion and climbing to #1 in men's and mixed doubles on the PPA Senior Pro Tour.

At 51, Deakin shows no signs of slowing down. He's the head coach of the Las Vegas Night Owls in Major League Pickleball, leading them to a 2025 Challenger title and promotion to Premier level. He's partnered with top pros like Matt Wright, Dave Weinbach, and Wes Gabrielson throughout his career. Off the court, he runs clinics, camps, and boot camps across Canada through his coaching business, and in April 2026 he'll join The Nest indoor facility in Vancouver as Director of Pickleball. Deakin is proof that the best chapter can come after 50.