FROM THE USAPA
the rain and the wind. I started look-
ing into installing permanent posts
and net. I’m kind of handy, and de-
vised a plan to use a sleeve, set up a
semi-permanent net and remove the
poles if we wanted to play basketball.
Fortunately, before we cut the
holes, I saw a Facebook post of
Wichita Country Club’s indoor
pickleball courts. The new net system
was exactly what I was looking for.
The tennis pro there was very helpful
in connecting me with the manufac-
turer. In went my order, and my new
net was delivered one week later.
This 400-pound net system is going
nowhere, even in this Oklahoma
wind! It has increased our enjoyment
of the court exponentially. We no
longer have to put up the net each
time we play, which saves time and
energy better devoted to playing the
game. And, bonus, it has wheels and
can be easily moved off the court for
basketball.
Because of my addictive personal-
ity, I now play or drill seven days a
week (I also invested in a pickleball
ball machine). We have friends
over several times a week to play,
and have been blessed to introduce
many people to the sport. I’ve been
honored to become a new Ambassa-
dor for the game (my thanks to Vicky
Noakes for nominating me).
Believe it or not, I think my wife
may be hooked, too, as are my two
sons. Now we plan vacations around
pickleball. We even took sidewalk
chalk to Cozumel and drew our
own court to play. If you’re ever in
Tulsa, give me a call. I’m always up
for a friendly match. This court is a
dream-come-true for me and I love
sharing it with other passionate
pickleballers! •
Steve Elliott
[email protected]
918.760.4334
Ambassador - Jenks, Oklahoma
USAPA SOLICITS MEDIA
CONTRIBUTORS
T
he United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA)
is currently seeking photographers and writers to support its
bi-monthly newsletter, Pickleball Magazine and other digital me-
dia including Facebook. USAPA staff writers are excited about this
new opportunity. Communications Director Bob Nibarger stated,
“USAPA welcomes all interested individuals to become a part of our
media outreach campaign. There are so many clubs, personal stories,
new facilities that deserve coverage. Our members and viewers now
have a fantastic opportunity to have their articles and photographs
featured “worldwide” through our various media streams.” To be
considered for our volunteer editor program, all you need to do is
send a memo of interest to [email protected]. USAPA hopes to
start this new program later this year.
First-Ever High School
Tournament Takes
Center Stage
BY NORM DAVIS
T
he first inter-high school tournament for the Surprise School
District was held April 17 at Valley Vista High School. Seventeen
courts were used both indoors and outdoors to accommodate 106
new players in just two hours. Played using school ground rules, run
by school coaches and attended mostly by freshmen, the event was
extraordinary to watch. We had 10 local players volunteer to help
them out and show the coaches some of how we handle refereeing.
A nice perpetual trophy went to the winning school and the players
received gold medals. Eighty t-shirts with student-designed logo, 60
new wood paddles and various other items (by our vendors and local
pickleball club) were included in goodie bags for the players too.
Besides the active players, there were many viewing students and
families. The school district public relations department provided
media coverage and will post a nice video on the Internet and the
local Independent Newspaper will be publishing an article and pic-
tures. I will try to put together a short video to send to USAPA and
other national places to spread the word. I will also do a write-up on
the process required to make this unique event happen and present
it to USAPA.
MAY/JUNE 2017 |
MAGAZINE
9