We are excited to share the results of our rigorous selection process, presenting the Austrian National Team Squad and our nominations for the upcoming 2nd European Pickleball Championships in Rome this September.
A Testament to Austria’s Growing Pickleball Talent
This year’s application process was highly competitive, with an impressive number of strong candidates stepping forward to represent Austria on the international stage. The passion, sportsmanship, and dedication shown by all applicants made our selection decisions both inspiring and challenging. We are proud to have so many committed and enthusiastic individuals submit their applications.
Our Current National Team Squad
As stated in the National Team Regulations 2025, players who represented Austria at the 2024 Team European Championships received an invitation to the 2025 National Team Roster. Building on this initial group and following our published regulations and selection criteria, we are proud to introduce the full roster of athletes selected for Austria’s 2025 National Team Squad. These players have demonstrated excellence not only on the court but also through their commitment to serve as ambassadors for our sport. They have the opportunity to represent Austria at events throughout the year. Please note that not all players who were invited to be part of the National Team Squad accepted the offer.
Men’s Open
- Prycen Haas
- Thomas Knapp
- Stephen Preissler
- Peter Robič
- Stefan Urban
Women’s Open
- Katharina Alten
- Denise Hübsch
- Jasmin Primus
- Ashley Simpson
Men’s 50+
- Yang Dai
- Helmut Hübsch
- Michael Wurdits
Women’s 50+
- Jessie Dai
- Sigrid Preissler
- Liz Weare
- Sandra Pribil
- Maureen Tan
- Soe Ching Ng
Understanding Our Selection Framework
National team membership recognizes a player’s skill level, dedication, and commitment to representing Austria across multiple opportunities throughout the year. Tournament roster selections are made separately based on event-specific needs. These include player availability, tactical pairings, competition format, and additional strategic considerations.
Rome 2025 Championship Nominations
From our national team squad, we are pleased to announce the following athletes who will represent Austria at the upcoming 2nd European Pickleball Championships in Rome:
Men’s Open Division
- Prycen Haas
- Thomas Knapp
- Stephen Preissler
- Stefan Urban
Women’s Open Division
- Denise Hübsch
- Jasmin Primus
- Ashley Simpson
Men’s 50+ Division
- Helmut Hübsch
- Michael Wurdits
Women’s 50+ Division
- Sigrid Preissler
- Liz Weare
- Maureen Tan
- Soe Ching Ng
- Sandra Pribil (Alternate)
These nominations represent our strategic assessment of the best available team composition for this particular event.
Recognizing Community Leadership: Introducing PFA-Ambassadors
We are also proud to introduce a new recognition within our organization: the PFA-Ambassador. This role honors individuals who have shown great dedication to service to our community, demonstrating leadership that extends beyond competitive play. We are pleased to recognize the first three PFA Ambassadors as members of our community with this designation:
- Andreas Mitischka
- Abbas Nabizada
- Stefan Stangl
Opportunities for Future Involvement
PFA-Ambassadors:
If you’re passionate about community building and leadership within Austrian Pickleball, we invite you to consider the PFA-Ambassador role.
Criteria for becoming a PFA-Ambassador:
- Being a member of at least one PFA club
- Supporting the PFA, for example, by helping at promotional events or tournaments
- Having a DUPR rating above 3.0
- Recognizing the PFA as the sole governing body for Pickleball in Austria
We offer our ambassadors access to special discounts and partner programs. We also provide PFA gear for our promotions and tournaments, both in Austria and abroad. As we bring in additional sponsors in the future, we hope to offer even more benefits.
This recognition is an ongoing effort, and we know there are many deserving individuals across Austria. With your help, we hope to continue honoring the role models who make our sport stronger every day. Please contact us at we@playpickleball.com to express your interest or ask questions about this new role.
National Team Squad:
For those aiming to represent Austria as part of our National Team Squad, the updated requirements and application process for next year will be released at the end of this year. This will give all interested athletes ample time to prepare, train, and take part in the selection process. Team spirit and a commitment to putting the team first are principles we deeply value and will continue to uphold moving forward.
A Final Note: Celebrating Every Player
To every individual who applied and put their name forward: thank you! Your passion and commitment fuel the growth and success of our sport in Austria. The strength of our Pickleball community lies not only in our competitive achievements but in our collective support for one another. As we prepare to cheer on our Rome representatives, we celebrate every member of our national team squad, as well as our ambassadors and every player, and recognize that each plays a vital role in our community through leadership, service, and love of the game.
