« J’ai tout de suite aimé ça. C’est tellement addictif, tellement facile à apprendre », said Mickaël Poirier.
Mickaël Poirier, a 31-year-old resident of Sept-Îles, is scaling the ranks of a sport traditionally favored by retirees, Le Manic reported.
Accustomed to racket sports like badminton, tennis, and ping-pong, Poirier discovered pickleball two years ago when a friend introduced him to the game. He excelled at badminton during his high school years, making the transition to pickleball smoother due to identical court dimensions, though the racket, ball, and net height differ.
« C’est un sport avec beaucoup d’angles et de rapidité », Poirier told Le Manic, describing the fast-paced nature of the game.
Poirier plays recreationally about once a week with a group of roughly fifteen enthusiasts at the Centre socio on Wednesdays or Sundays, where players rotate through matches of varying skill levels. However, casual games are rare for him as he prefers focusing on personal improvement and testing his skills in outside competition.
« C’est le plaisir de m’améliorer et de voir à quel point je progresse. Aussi, c’est le fun d’aller faire des tournois.
He recently competed in Boucherville at a Mrgence circuit event, capturing a doubles victory alongside fellow Sept-Îles native Alexis Bernier. Poirier has frequently secured wins in singles competition and recorded four podium finishes in provincial tournaments for 2026.
Looking ahead, Poirier aims to raise his rating within the official universal pickleball ranking system and eventually turn professional. He hopes to travel to the United States, particularly Florida, to participate in the professional pickleball circuit and higher-level competitions.
« Je suis adulte et j’ai mes propres moyens pour être capable de voyager », Poirier told Le Manic, noting that travel restrictions involving cars and finances limited his badminton career in his youth.
Addressing the perception that pickleball is exclusively for older adults, Poirier views that notion as a myth stemming from the sport’s early days when campers and retirees introduced it.
He enjoys both singles and doubles play, noting the tactical differences between the two formats. While doubles relies on patience, angles, and waiting for the right moment to accelerate the game, singles matches can match the speed of badminton or tennis depending on the player’s style.
« On continue de s’entraîner tant qu’on peut.
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