Conversations with Louise Datu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Louise Datu

Hi Louise, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In August 2023, my good friend Glen invited me to try pickleball. Honestly, I had no clue what it was, but I figured, why not? I went, played, and immediately knew I was hooked. The next day, I was out buying a paddle, court shoes, balls—you name it. It was clear I was all in.

In February 2024, I kicked off my first women’s league with 12 players, and it was so much fun! The next month, I ran my first men’s league in March. By April, I was already organizing a full-fledged tournament, and by May, I added a mixed league to the mix. It felt amazing to see so many people joining in!

Things really started to take off in June, when I teamed up with Tim Chuko to host a Major League Pickleball (MLP)-style tournament. Season 1 was such a success that we immediately jumped into planning for Season 2, which we ran in July. The excitement kept growing, and the community just kept coming together.

The highlight came in August, when we held a huge tournament with over 240 participants! That was when everything really started coming together. After that August event, the Major League Pickleball (MLP) leagues were such a success, Tim Chuko and I decided to team up and create something even bigger. We formed a new team by bringing together his current team and mine, and that’s how Diamond League Pickleball https://www.diamondleaguepb.com/ was born.

With only about a month of preparation, we ran two tournaments just three weeks apart—on October 12 and November 2—drawing in over 400 players! It was an incredible whirlwind, but the excitement and turnout were beyond what we expected. Our most recent event, Pickle Bowl, was held during Super Bowl weekend (cute, right?). It took place on February 8-9, and we had 444 players compete, with 60 people on the waitlist! The demand for courts is definitely there, and it’s exciting to see the community growing so quickly.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any venture worth pursuing comes with its challenges. Some of the clinics and programs we’ve put out haven’t been as popular as others, and that’s something we’re learning from.

The biggest challenge we face now is the lack of courts. Some are too expensive, some don’t have enough courts to meet demand, and others just aren’t willing to accommodate us because they run their own tournaments. But we’re not letting that hold us back. We’re still pushing forward and doing our best to build something amazing for the community.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my day job, I’m a planner in the construction and transportation industry, but my work with pickleball is where my entrepreneurial side really comes into play. I’ve worn many hats across different industries, which has helped me develop strong project management skills—especially when it comes to organizing pickleball programming and events. I’m known for getting things done. People often call me in when things aren’t moving forward as they should, and I’m usually the one who can make it happen. While it’s not always easy, I take pride in getting things done with a smile. It’s rare for me to feel stressed about a task, and I’ve learned that staying calm and focused is key to pushing through any challenge.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve been able to take new ideas and projects—like my pickleball leagues—and turn them into something real. I’ve always had that entrepreneurial drive; if someone has a vision, I can help bring it to life. Whether it’s a new program or a small event, I enjoy taking it from the ground up and seeing it grow. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing with pickleball, and it’s been exciting to watch it all come together!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Since pickleball has only recently exploded, I didn’t really have the chance to find a mentor in the field. To be honest, I wasn’t actively looking for one either. It’s been more about hard work, staying dedicated, using my imagination, and having a clear vision. Surrounding myself with good, reliable people has been key, too, along with a little bit of luck finding great business partners.

Now that I’ve gained some experience and had some success in organizing tournaments and events, I’m definitely open to mentoring others. I believe in the value of sharing what you’ve learned along the way, and I’m excited to help others grow, just as I’ve had the opportunity to learn from others in my own journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.diamondleaguepb.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diamondleaguepb/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Diamond-League-Pickleball/61568638418867/

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/ocmedia.pb/ – Oscar Castro photography