The program now has two beginner courts , two challenge courts and eight open play courts . Photo by Ho Nguyen .
might have a long wait , but it ’ s free and you can come whenever you want and play .”
Having free open play has helped to create a diverse community , Nguyen added . It ’ s also been an important part of helping people heal from the struggles of the pandemic . He didn ’ t want anything — including the ability to pay — to prevent people from having that outlet .
“ The reason I started making sure it was free drop-in open play was because we don ’ t know where people are in their lives ,” he explained . “ It was important to have a place where people can just come without having to pay or having to qualify , and just be able to be around other people . That was huge for a lot of people , and it still is now . We don ’ t really care if you have a job or don ’ t , or if you have a high skill level or you never played before . It doesn ’ t matter .”
Since becoming a USA Pickleball Ambassador , Nguyen has heard countless stories from people who felt like they didn ’ t belong in Santa Monica or struggled to meet people before finding pickleball . He also heard from those who ’ d never considered themselves athletic and had never played a sport before . They all now feel like they have a home and a community , Nguyen said . The Santa Monica Pickleball Facebook page alone has grown from 800 members to more than 4,400 since he became an ambassador .
“ It ’ s hard because when you do have a lot of people who want to play , it ’ s hard to organize and keep on track , so there are challenges that come with that . But overall that ’ s why our program is so successful ,” he said . “ I ’ ve heard a lot of people say this has been [ their ]
saving grace through this whole pandemic .”
Nguyen and the other USA Pickleball Ambassadors play an important and valuable role in expanding the game into a nationally and internationally recognized sport that can be enjoyed by athletes of all ages . Among the expectations are that ambassadors model good behavior , lead by example , display respect and show self-control .
Ambassadors have different ways of accomplishing the shared goal to grow the sport . Melissa Pedroza is the USA Pickleball Ambassador for Fate , Texas , and is particularly dedicated to helping junior players learn the sport and become successful players . She ’ s the co-coach of Paddles Up Pickleball , an AAU club that works with kids 10 and older who practice weekly and compete in local tournaments as well as the Junior Olympics .
In the Great Lakes area , Laura Ouellette has worked to build the pickleball program at the Chelsea Senior Center in Chelsea , Michigan , and is actively working with a group campaigning for outdoor courts in their town . She teaches at facilities throughout her area and
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Ho Nguyen began playing pickleball in 2019 , soon becoming a fixture on the courts every day and introducing beginners to the sport .
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MARCH / APRIL 2023 | MAGAZINE 55