Mike Cooper

Manta Pro Team Member Since 2014

Pickleball Paddle: Canuck Pro  

Sport Club: Parkland Pickleheads, Spruce Grove AB

Hi there my name is Mike Cooper and I am a retired educator. I discovered pickleball while on vacation in Arizona…and now I am totally addicted!! At my first Canadian Nationals in 2014 while using the Manta Destiny Pro 4G paddle, I won a gold in 4.0 singles and silver in men’s doubles. After that I approached Manta about becoming part of their team and now oversee the Manta Pro Team division of the company.

Besides playing pickleball, I also teach and coach pickleball across the province of Alberta and throughout Canada. I think it is important to also give back to the sport so have volunteered with Pickleball Canada as Tournament Director, Director with Pickleball Alberta, Vice President Parkland Pickleheads, Tournament Director Alberta Provincial Championships/Summer Smash and recently joined the International Pickleball Teachers Professional Association (IPTPA) as a Director and Master Teacher. Yup life is good and pickleball is growing fast in Alberta and across Canada. I am looking forward to my new position as Sponsorship Coordinator for Manta…the best pickleball company in Canada with the best paddles!!

Manta Pro Team Member Since 2019

Pickleball Paddle: Cobra

Club: Ottawa Pickleball Association, ON & East Naples Community Park, Florida 

I played competitive sports throughout my entire life, including racquetball and squash. I started playing pickleball 3 years ago and fell in love with the game. I started playing tournaments about 2 years ago and with a little bit of success realized that my competitive drive never went away!! My game has grown since then with success at a higher level. While I am always looking for ways to improve my game and become more competitive, I also appreciate the sense of community that surrounds the game of pickleball. I am a proud member and volunteer with the Ottawa Pickleball Association, a strong and growing organization that provides lots of opportunity for play and skills development in the Ottawa Region. 

Manta Pro Team Member Since 2022

Pickleball Paddle: Nitro Metallic Series 

Club: Campbell River Pickleball Association - Campbell River BC

Even though, in my younger days, I played tennis, badminton and ping pong at a competitive level in Eastern Canada, it was not until September 11th, 2018, that I started to play pickleball. It is, and has been, a life-changing event in both my health and well-being.

I was first introduced to “Manta” paddles in January 2019 by my, and many others, friend and pickleball paddle rep for all brands, Phil Purnell [R.I.P.]. He steered me onto his personal choice of pickleball paddles, the “Manta Extreme Point .5” and I could not have made a better choice.

I am now a 4.0 player, even with ankle mobility issues, but I am still trying to improve my paddle and game strategy skills in order to be able to play with players of all levels and have fun!!

The main reason I wanted to join the “Manta Pro Team” was to promote both the sport of pickleball and, one of the very few all Canadian / BC - made and owned pickleball paddle companies, Manta Sports.

So please remember one of the best things you will hear in any day “0-0-2!"