Five-time Olympian and beach volleyball legend Natalie Cook, OAM, has joined the board of Pacific Pickleball, the parent company to Major League Pickleball Australia, as a Non-Executive Director.
Gold At The 2000 Olympic Games
Following the announcement of Steve Smith’s investment into the Sydney Smash, she has also taken an investment stake in the Gold Coast Glory, an MLP Australia team.
Reaching the pinnacle of her beach volleyball career with a gold medal at the 2000 Olympic games, Nat is now concentrating on helping athletes make a living out of their sport.
“With the rise of pickleball, and regularly playing it myself, I can’t think of any better sport to be a part of, to support the athletes in Australia’s official professional pickleball league,” she said.
Anthony Liveris, President of Pacific Pickleball commented, “As a passionate athlete advocate, Nat brings a unique perspective on advancing athlete’s interests in our rapidly growing sport.”
Read our article about Pacific Pickleball’s plans for 2024 here.
“A Deep Passion”
Cook is also a Director of Brisbane 2032, Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, and holds a position on the World Olympians Association Board.
Adam Thompson, CEO of Pacific Pickleball, added, “Nat brings a deep passion for the power of sport to impact lives and will help elevate pickleball to a new standard.”
Coming into its second year, Major League Pickleball Australia, the official professional pickleball league of Australia, has a prize pool of over $700,000 across six events in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. The league features 12 professional teams, showcasing the top players in the region, complemented by international talents.
The opening event of the season, the Pacific Pro Sydney, is scheduled for February 23rd to 25th at Blacktown Tennis Centre.
Gold Coast Glory
The Gold Coast Glory, under the leadership of Captain Sarah Burr, is one of Major League Pickleball’s original teams and is considered a top contender in the upcoming season.
The Glory is one of twelve professional teams in the league, which boasts a prize pool of over $700,000 across six events in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
For more information, visit pacificpickleball.com.au or contact the MLP Australia Communications Director.
About Major League Pickleball Australia and Pacific Pickleball
Pacific Pickleball is the official Professional Pickleball League of Australia and features the top players, the highest prize money, and events across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Pacific Pickleball offers two formats for athletes, including Major League Pickleball Australia’s (MLP Australia’s) Pro Teams Format and Pacific Pickleball League’s (PPL) Pro Tour Format for both Open and Masters 50+ Athletes, in partnership with Pickleball Australia Association (PAA).
Pacific Pickleball aims to grow the total number of Pickleball players in APAC to 1 Million in 2032 by promoting the sport through world-class events, professional pathways for top players, dedicated pickleball venues, and strong partnerships at international, national, and grassroots levels.
We reported on the partnership between MLP Australia and Pacific Pickleball back in September last year.
