SUPER
SENIORS!
The Super Senior International Pickleball Association (SSIPA) was formed in 2016 to promote
pickleball among the active senior population in the U.S. and around the globe.
By Alice Tym
At the 2016 USAPA Nationals in
Arizona, Ford Roberson of Texas
gathered a group of seniors dedicated
to providing age-based tournaments
with older age brackets. Since the
USAPA didn’t include 70+ age
brackets in regionals, the Super Senior
International Pickleball Association
(SSIPA) was formed to promote
pickleball tournaments for 60+ players.
In January, membership topped
1,000. These are seniors actively
playing tournaments who also support
the USAPA (SSIPA requires USAPA
membership). At the end of 2017, the
USAPA decided to embed SSIPA into all
regional tournaments.
One key goal of SSIPA is destination
tournaments—players can bring their
spouses and enjoy the beach, museums
and local restaurants. A board member
SSIPA members Pat McInnis, Jackie Taylor, Val Spacher, Cheryl Barnes with
Fernando at the pearl farm in beautiful San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico, where the
Sombrero Showdown and Amigos Cup was held in February.
is present at each tournament to
provide a fun experience as well as
assist the tournament director. The
formats are geared to manageable
days, so players don’t have to wait
around all day to play. Round robin
formats allow participants to come to
the venue, play everyone in their age
SSIPA Board Members: Mark Kellam, Tim Kuss, Winnie Montgomery, Vicky Noakes,
Marc Rinehart, Ford Roberson, Fred Thompson, Alice Tym
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