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WHAT DOES
A USAPA
MEMBERSHIP
MEAN TO ME?
BY CHRISTINE BARKSDALE
I
n 2011, my love for pickleball was a seedling. I had not yet
played my first tournament nor did I know anything about
the USAPA. My only experience with sports organizations
was my lifetime membership in the United States Tennis
Association (USTA). Based on my experiences with USTA,
joining the USAPA was a logical step. I signed up for a one-year
membership, followed by a five-year membership.
My first USAPA membership came hand in hand with the
registration for my first tournament, 2011 USAPA Nationals. At
that time, most tournaments offered a $5 discount if you were a
USAPA member, so that was the first benefit I experienced.
Since starting with USAPA as Managing Director of
Competition, I have heard many people wonder about the
benefit of being a member if they don’t play sanctioned
tournaments. This is a question I want to answer. There
are the tangible benefits: free electronic copies of Pickleball
Magazine (50% discount off mailed subscriptions), secondary
medical insurance in sanctioned events, member access to
Partner Search on the USAPA website, member access to the
Referee Trainer Guide and Referee Handbook, rating points
for USAPA‑sanctioned tournaments, discounts on USAPA
pickleball nets, access to promotional discounts on USAPA
apparel, hard copy of the IFP Rulebook, USAPA window decal,
member look-up on the USAPA website.
All of that is great (my favorite is the Pickleball Magazine
subscription discount), but a membership in any organization
is more than just discounts; it is about what the organization
does for the sport. The USAPA has been key in growing this
sport across the country, thanks primarily to the USAPA
ambassadors, a program that has touched so many people
just learning the sport. Personally, I would not have fallen
in love with this sport if it had not been for the kindness of
Mike Wolfe, an ambassador in the Pacific Northwest. Most
of you likely don’t know that I am extremely shy, and while I
was completely comfortable going to the courts with my dad,
venturing to a new venue in my hometown was scary. I vividly
recall my heart pounding as I walked up to the gym doors
at Marshall Elementary School in Vancouver, Washington.
Fortunately, I was greeted by Mike and soon he had me
22
completely comfortable and on the road to a USAPA rating for
participating in my first tournament. Thanks to Mike, I quickly
learned I could travel anywhere and feel comfortable playing in
new places!
Outside of the amazing camaraderie and our ambassador
program, membership dollars will continue to fund projects
such as:
1. Improving the Referee Training Program. From
developing beginning referees (I certainly recall the
nerves I felt when I refereed my first match) all the way to
professional referees.
2. Modifying and clarifying rules. As the sport grows, I
receive more and more questions on rules, whether it is a
new rule or a rule clarification.
3. Developing a code of conduct manual. This is key
for all levels of play, especially for recreational players,
including when to cross the court, how to handle line calls
in social play, how to pass the ball back to your opponent,
etc.
4. Aiding in the construction of dedicated courts across
the nation. The USAPA is working with the Association
of Sports Builders to establish and provide specifications
on court conversion and construction, including
ADA‑compliant courts.
5. Wheelchair and veterans programs, including
establishing classifications required for pickleball to be a
sport in the Paralympics.
6. Bigger and better grant program. Funds can be used
for nets and paddles and for providing equipment to
schools to help the next generation learn the sport.
PicklebalI is growing across the country at an exponential
rate because of the amazing people playing and promoting
this sport and because of the efforts of the USAPA. The USAPA
creates a stable and inviting play environment that welcomes
players at every level and age. PicklebalI is truly a sport for
all and the path to a bright future is paved by supporting the
governing body of our sport, the USAPA. •
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