Major League Pickleball Australia (MLPA) prepares for an exhilarating 2025 season, the anticipation is building for the upcoming draft events that will determine team compositions across the Premier, Challenger, and Masters divisions. MLPA has announced that the initial Premier player pool for the 2025 season has been released, featuring an expanded roster of 206 athletes, including seasoned veterans, rising stars, and fresh international talent.

The Premier Division draft is scheduled for January 7, 2025, where franchise representatives will select top-tier players to lead their teams. This event will be followed by the Challenge Draft January 9 and Masters 50+ drafts on January 10, 2025, further shaping the competitive landscape of the league. Final player applications for Challenger and Masters athletes from Australia and New Zealand athletes close on December 31, 2024, with the Premier pool closing December 21st.

MLP Australia will use a hybrid snake draft for teams to make their selections with teams ensuring they must pick from APAC athletes, then optional APAC or internationals. The challenger league will act as a direct feeder for MLPA Premier with In-event alternates being promoted from the challenger league.

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MLP Australia are excited to announce the following new teams and captains for the 2024 season:

Premier

• Katy Hart will captain the Eastern Rush
• Jai Grewal will captain the Southern Stars
• Roos van Reek with captain a new team to be revealed soon
• Andie Dikosavljevic will captain the Northern Crocs
• Andrew Horridge will captain the Western Vipers
• Kyle Whatnall will captain the New Zealand Hustle
• Mitch Hargreaves will return as captain of the Sydney Smash
• Sarah Burr will return as captain of the Gold Coast Glory
• Aaron Blitz will return as captain of the Melbourne Mavericks
• George Wall will move to captain the Brisbane Breakers

Additionally, MLP Australia is excited to continue the inclusion of two teams based in Asia:

• Asia Aces captained by Kenta Miyoshi
• SEA Surge captained by Sarah Jane Lim

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Challenger

• Taylor Smith will captain the Eastern Rush
• Leona Huynh will captain the Northern Crocs
• Michael Russ will captain the Western Vipers
• Narie Naulu will captain the New Zealand Hustle
• Michael Massih will captain the Sydney Smash
• Jess Hughes will captain the Gold Coast Glory
• Chris Baum will captain the Melbourne Mavericks
• David Richardson will captain the Brisbane Breakers

Draft list can be viewed HERE

Masters 50+

• Mike Newell will captain the Eastern Rush
• Gordon Watson will captain the Northern Crocs
• Ange Berteluit will captain the Western Vipers
• Shane Wilson will captain the New Zealand Hustle
• Mandy Corbett will captain the Sydney Smash
• Martin Clark will captain the Gold Coast Glory
• Tina Bianchi will captain the Melbourne Mavericks
• Simone Kessell will captain the Brisbane Breakers

Draft list can be viewed HERE

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For all enquires about the 2025 MLPA Draft or Season please email sange@majorleaguepickleball.net.au.

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