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What’s News in Pickleball
USPTA Partners with IPTPA
to Bring Pickleball Certification
to the Association
T
he United States
Professional Tennis
Association (USPTA)
has entered into a
three-year partnership with
the International Pickleball
Teaching Professional
Association (IPTPA). Under the
terms of the agreement, the
USPTA will work collaboratively
with the recognized world
leader in pickleball teacher
certification to certify USPTA
professionals in pickleball.
Starting in 2019, the IPTPA
will host specialty courses
in pickleball across USPTA
division conferences, where
interested professionals
will be able to earn a Level I
certification in pickleball.
“We realize our members
have been asked about
pickleball and many are being
encouraged to start a pickleball
program at their facilities.
With that in mind, our board of
directors has recognized that
USPTA members should have
education about pickleball,”
said USPTA CEO John Embree.
“As a result, we are partnering
with the association
that offers the best
curriculum and
methodology the
14
sport of pickleball has to offer.
However, it’s not our intent to get
into the pickleball certification
business.”
The pickleball certification
course will include classroom
sessions, on-court teaching
sessions, and an on-court
playing session. The cost for
the five-hour workshop is $240,
which includes the pickleball
certification testing, access
to the specialty course and a
one-year membership with the
IPTPA. USPTA divisions such as
Florida, Northern California,
Southern California, Texas, etc.
will host the courses.
“As highly trained teachers,
USPTA professionals are great
communicators, can break a skill
down to its simplest components
and understand the importance
of a great lesson plan, and are
passionate about teaching,” said
IPTPA CEO Seymour Rifkind.
“We condensed our workshop
into a format that will allow
USPTA members to recognize the
distinct differences of pickleball
while becoming familiar with
the IPTPA methodology, which
has become the world standard
in teaching pickleball. IPTPA is
thrilled to be partnering with the
USPTA.”
TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM
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