Pickleball Magazine 4-4 | Page 16

dinks continued IPTPA’S JUNIOR CERTIFICATION TEACHING PROGRAM BY SEYMOUR RIFKIND I PTPA introduced its Junior Certification Teaching Program a few years ago. The idea came to light when IPTPA Director Simone Jardim told me about teenage phenom Ben Johns. Ben wanted to get IPTPA certified, but at the time the insurance carrier wouldn’t insure a player under 21. After discussing the issue with the insurance company, we developed a program whereby prospective junior players would go through all the required tests and, if they passed, would get certified under the condition that a current IPTPA member would mentor them until they became age eligible. The program has been a tremendous success. We all know the explosive growth of pickleball in the 55+ communities, however, the future of the game lies with our youth. Kids listen to and are influenced by their peers, especially those wearing medals around their necks. When you have the best junior players in the world exposing their friends to the game of pickleball, a tidal wave of new young players will result. Here are a few of our most recent juniors who’ve become IPTPA certified—and the IPTPA instructors responsible for mentoring them. LeEllen Lane, mentored by mom Stephanie Lane Kyle Stoddard, mentored by dad Dave Stoddard Wyatt Stone, mentored by Matt Lazarine Caden Nemoff, mentored by dad Terry Nemoff You’ll notice that a parent is the mentor for three out of the four juniors. One of the things I love most about pickleball is how the sport brings families closer together. Last February, in Surprise, AZ, I witnessed four generations of women playing pickleball, laughing, bonding and enjoying each other’s company, while nurturing that special family relationship. Yvonne Hackenberg has earned multiple national titles, and is in several sport halls of fame, but I bet it was equally special for her to have her mom, daughter and granddaughter join her for a game on the Surprise City pickleball court. Senior Players Set the Bar A crowd of more than 100 fans turned out to cheer on the four oldest “geezers” who set a “World Record” in a club tournament called Golden Geezer 360—the age total of the four participants. The “World Record” is for the oldest average age of the four players, which is 91 years, 214.5 days. As far as we know, no other seniors have competed to beat this record. These gentlemen play several times a week on a regular basis. 14 Golden Geezers after a Round Robin of three games. Left to right: Bob Ginaco, 88; Ralf Sleeper, 92; Kurt Unvericht, 92; Ernie Hayns, 93. TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM