In this episode, we sit down with Stefan Entbrouxk, a Level 2 pickleball referee from Belgium, to explore the game from a perspective most players rarely see — the official behind the call.

Stefan shares his journey into officiating, what it takes to become a certified referee, and the key role referees play in maintaining fairness, integrity, and flow in competitive pickleball. From handling tight line calls to managing player emotions in high-pressure moments, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how matches are truly controlled.

We also dive into the growth of pickleball across Europe, the differences in officiating standards, and why consistency in rules enforcement is crucial as the sport scales globally.

Whether you’re a player, coach, or tournament organiser, this conversation offers valuable insight into the structure, discipline, and decision-making that underpin the modern game.

🎧 Expect stories, practical knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the people keeping pickleball fair, balanced, and competitive.

This is a special mini episode of the Pickleball Legends Podcast where we share three exciting pieces of news that are set to improve your pickleball experience 👇🔥 What’s inside this episode:✅ A major Pickle Pals app update – smoother, faster, and easier to use✅ The brand new tap2score system with referee mode and live scoring✅ A special guest appearance from Gregory Storm, who’s heading to the UK for an exclusive coaching clinic tour🇬🇧 Gregory Storm UK Tour Dates:📍 Dinks Pickleball Club – 15th May📍 Torquay – 17th May📍 Sheffield – 23rd May📍 Ireland – from 24th May📲 Download Pickle Pals:https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/picklepals/id6752900869https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.picklepalsapp.appTake your pickleball sessions to the next level with:Live scoring (tap2score)Referee modeSmarter session managementCleaner, faster app experience💬 Get involvedIf you enjoyed this episode:👍 Like the video💬 Drop a comment🔔 Subscribe for more pickleball content

Episode 14 of Pickleball Legends features Mike Tonet — Belgian pickleball player, coach, referee, and founder of the Tak Tac Academy — alongside a very special guest, his dog Kira.In this episode, I sit down with Mike to talk about his journey in pickleball, the growth of the sport in Belgium and across Europe, and what it takes to wear so many hats in the game. As a player, coach, and referee, Mike brings a well-rounded perspective on pickleball, along with his passion for developing the sport through the Tak Tac Academy.We also have a special appearance from Kira, adding a bit of extra character to the conversation.We discuss coaching, competition, officiating, and the future of pickleball, making this a great listen for anyone interested in how the sport is growing internationally and the people helping push it forward.