South East Asia Surge secure first draft pick in MLP Australia 2024 Draft Lottery

*Pictured: MLP Australia League Commissioner Sange Carter

• South East Asia Surge secure first draft pick in MLP Australia 2024 draft
• Hybrid Snake Draft system rolled out for first time in Australian professional
• Pickleball
• 2024 will see 12 teams across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, with $700k up for grabs across 6 events
• Draft to be held on January 11, 2024
• Season one will kick off in February 2024 in Sydney

Gold Coast, Australia: South East Asia Surge (SEA Surge) has secured the first draft
pick for the MLP Australia 2024 season’s draft, secured via Draft Lottery earlier this
evening.

Led by captain Pei Chuan Kao, the newly formed SEA Surge will be debuting in the MLP
Australia league in 2024 with the Melbourne Mavericks taking the second pick. As Kao
is new to the league the first pick presents her with a unique opportunity to get ahead
of her opponents with both talent and strategy.

The Eastern Rush secured third and Sydney Smash in Fourth. While reigning champions
Brisbane Breakers took position 12.

Showcasing 12 professional teams with 48 leading players competing across the region,
top-ranked players will compete for a share of a $700k prize pool over six world class
events.

In the hybrid snake draft lottery system, aimed at ensuring an equitable and fair
drafting system for all teams, the draw will see the first 12 picks drawn in reverse order
before drawing picks 13-36. The team Captains, who will be making selections, count
towards the final total of 48 players in the competition.
The draft process was overseen by the MLP Australia League Commissioner Sange
Carter and executed under the supervision of Pickleball Australia Association (PAA)
Board Director Chris Pascoe.

“The draft lottery is an exciting step for our captains towards next year’s competition,”
said MLP Australia CEO and Co-Founder Adam Thompson.

“As the professional league of Australia and the APAC region, we are expecting our
teams to be highly competitive. Our hybrid snake format draft system ensures that all
teams have a fair opportunity to succeed.”

“Early picks in a draft are always highly sought after, and I have no doubt our Captains
will be looking forward to bringing the best talent available to the court.”

In collaboration with the world's premier league, Major League Pickleball, MLP Australia
is the regions’ official professional Pickleball league, in partnership with the national
body PAA. The league will be adopting the world class MLPlayTM format and play across
Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.

Over 280 players nominated for the draft in order to be eligible to be selected to play
in the 2024 competition.

The draft full draft order is as follows:

The MLP Australia 2024 Draft will take place on January 11 2024, with Season One
kicking off on February 23-25 in Sydney, Australia.

For more information on Major League Pickleball Australia, the Pacific Pickleball
League and Australia’s newest professional sporting teams, head to
www.pacificpickleball.com.au

About Major League Pickleball Australia and Pacific Pickleball:

Pacific Pickleball is the official Professional Pickleball League of Australia featuring the top players, highest prize
money, and best events across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Pacific Pickleball offers two formats for athletes
including Major League Pickleball Australia’s (MLP Australia’s) Pro Teams Format, and Pacific Pickleball League’s (PPL)
Pro Tour Format for both Open and Masters 50+ Athletes, in partnership with Pickleball Australia Association (PAA).

Pacific Pickleball aims to grow the total number of Pickleball players in APAC to one million in 2032 by promoting the
sport through world-class events, professional pathways for top players, dedicated pickleball venues, and strong
partnerships at international, national and grassroot levels; on a journey to bring Pickleball to all.

Media Contact:

Shannon Knaus

Communications and Marketing Director

m. +61 (0) 438 487 216 (Australia)

e. shannon@pacificpickleball.net

w. pacificpickleball.com.au

insta. @pacificpickleball