"We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!" -- Benjamin Franklin
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220 CTPA Members in less than 6 months and still growing!
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The Cranberry Township Pickleball Association (CTPA) continues to grow with more than 220 members reported at the end of the year. Who are our members?
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70 Beginners (2.0-2.25)
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10 Advanced Begin. (2.5-2.75)
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35 3.0-3.25 players
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44 3.5 to 3.75 players
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16 4.0 to 4.5 players
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35 Social Members
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10: No rating information
The Association had 121 students sign up for Pickleball classes; 91 were new to pickleball. It is anticipated that many of these students will continue to improve and advance in ratings. Once the new outdoor courts open, an increase is expected in every rating group, driven by more court availability for play and more time for drilling and practice sessions.
This winter five PB-1 classes, two Fast-Track sessions, and one PB-2 & PB-3 class were scheduled. If these classes fill up, another class can be scheduled along with the training of another 100+ students.
In addition, the CTPA membership discount period ends at the end of February, and the courts open up in April. A strong Spring is anticipated to generate more new members.
Another encouraging factor is the number of unique website hits that CTPA enjoys. A unique hit means that no matter how many times the same IP address accesses the website, it only counts as one hit. From June 1 to October 1 CTPA had 820 unique hits, from October 1 to December 1 that number climbed to 1,850.
Once CTPA registers 300 members, conversations will begin about building four more pickleball courts next to the 8 courts which were just built. Once CTPA reaches 400, construction could begin, depending on construction finances.
See below for the volunteer section on opportunities to help.
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2018 CTPA Membership Fees Increase on March 1
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If you are currently a CTPA member, your membership is good until December 31, 2018!
But if you have a friend that plays pickleball who is not a CTPA member, or a friend that is thinking about learning pickleball, you may want to let them know that the $20 discount expires March 1, 2018!
Friends who want to learn the game can sign up for a spring Beginners Class, CTPA PB-1, and use their $25 discount before March 1, even if their class is not until April or May. With the eight courts opening in April, we expect a surge in membership. But if you alert people interested in pickleball to act before March 1, you can save them $20.
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REGISTER FOR PICKLEBALL:
CONTACT:
Phone: 724-779-4FUN (4386) x 1129
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Ratings Update & Rating Committee
An interview with Lynn Wagner, CTPA Executive Committee Member.
QUESTION:
What's with the ratings?
ANSWER: “A rating is just a number. USAPA uses it to establish levels of play among equals in tournaments. We’re developing the same standards for CTPA. Playing at your own skill level is safer and more fun. The play is more challenging and the games are more interesting.”
QUESTION: How did you start playing pickleball?
ANSWER: “I taught Pickleball basics at Seneca Valley IHS, but I didn’t actually compete until my husband convinced me to learn the whole game so that we could qualify for the Senior Games in Minneapolis, MN. Then, my friend, Terri Flynn, started an evening Pickleball league at the Y in New Castle for us working players. The rest is history. I’ve been playing for about 3½ years minus time off for injuries (Yes, sustained from playing Pickleball!). When I compete in something, I’m all in. Playing Pickleball turned into a passion and I’ve been traveling to tournaments around the country, making a lot of new friends, and picking up a few medals along the way.
QUESTION: What medals have you won in National Tournaments in the last 3 months?
ANSWER:
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Fall Brawl (St. George, Utah) MXD /4.0 / 60-64 Gold; WD/4.0 / 60-64 Bronze
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Huntsman World Senior Games (St. George, Utah); WD 4.0 / 60-64 Gold; Women's Skill Doubles 4.0 50+ Bronze
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USAPA National Championship; WD 55+ / 4.0 Bronze; MXD 60+ / 4.0 Silver
*PHOTO Lynn Wagner & Jane Moose in the National Championship in Arizona winning bronze.
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The Ratings Committee The Ratings Committee consists of Lynn Wagner, Jane Moose, Bill Meyers, Dave Schneider and Terri Flynn (who is also a CTPA Committee member). After initial placement and subsequent play in leagues, the organizer of each league has input in identifying players who may need their level adjusted for more equal competition.
Did you know?
Over 95% of our members are slotted into a rating group either by leagues or if they have taken one of the classes. The keys to improving your play are to study the game, watch others who are more skilled, ask questions, take lessons, go to clinics, and practice, practice, practice.
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CTPA is an
All-Volunteer Organization.
Get involved!
CTPA is an association under the umbrella of Cranberry Township. CTPA utilizes the Township’s ActiveNet system for membership sign up, to manage the membership cards, and to use the servers that host the web site. But the actual management of pickleball is done by CTPA volunteers. Setting up nets, managing ratings, setting rules, keeping up the web site, building ladders, teaching clinics, and countless other aspect to the game are done by volunteers. Over 120 students signed up for pickleball classes. They generated almost $5,000 in revenue. But all those proceeds, along with membership fees, go directly to pay off the cost of the eight pickleball courts. The teachers are all volunteers and CTPA kindly thanks them for their service.
The future success of the association will depend on volunteers and on the revenue generated both to pay off the eight new pickleball courts and expand the number of outdoor courts in the future. There is land available to expand to 16 courts in the future, but revenue must be generated to do so. The biggest potential source for revenue are the Summer Kids Clinics. They could generate more revenue than funds obtained from membership fees.
CTPA needs volunteers in the following roles:
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Teachers to help to assist or lead a PB-1 or Fast Track class: Must have a 3.0 rating or better. Involves about 2.5 hours on prescheduled days.
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New Beginners Volunteers who can help monitor beginning players for the first 2 or 3 times out after taking the beginners classes. As you know, having someone experienced on hand is very helpful. Basically you would host a two-hour session at the new courts, inviting new beginners to join you to monitor their play, to help enforce the rules of the game, and to offer suggestions that improve their game. Open to all levels.
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Kids Clinics and Camps in the summer at the three 1.5 hour sessions for kids of specific age groups. The sessions are typically held on three consecutive days, but can also be hosted on the same time and day for 3 weeks. (For example, Tuesday 9 to 10:30 AM for three Tuesday’s in a row). Dale Wagner and Conni Mazzoni are leading the effort to establish the Kids Camp program. They’re looking for volunteers to either help or lead some of these sessions. Dale and Conni will provide the agenda and training; all the costs associated with getting state clearances and supplies will be handled. Open to all levels.
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Court Ambassadors- Volunteers would be trained to help participants during open CTPA play at the new courts to answer questions and resolve issues regarding CTPA rules, including making sure that players have their membership cards on display. Volunteers could do this while playing. Open to all level.
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CTPA Promotor: Help to promote CTPA to other players in the region. CTPA is unique both by matching players of similar level and program to develop skill levels. If you play at other locations, or know of players in other areas who may be interested, CTPA can provide information to pass along. The new outdoor courts at Graham Park will be the best in Western PA. Combined with level play, ladders, and other leagues CTPA will be of interest to many pickleball players.
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PB-2 is evolving. It is now CTPA PB-2: Learning the Soft Game!
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CTPA warmly welcomes new instructor for PB-2!
Larry Barbiaux
(pictured left). He
is a 4.5 rated tournament player who has competed in tournaments throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.
His most memorable accomplishment was earning a gold medal at the Florida State Games in the 35+ division at the 4.5 skill level. He has taught Pickleball for the past 3 years in Florida. “I am excited to be a part of the CTPA family and look forward to volunteering and running the PB-2 class. I think the students will learn a lot and become a better PB player because of this class”
Is power what Pickleball is all about?
Pickleball is a combination of both power and finesse. Most beginners attempt to power their shots past their opponents. But just watch any professional pickleball match and you will see over 90% of the time the players hit a soft third shot, just over the net. This is typically followed by a series of short shots (dinking) within the non-volley zone (NVZ or kitchen). Why is this strategy employed by all advanced players? PB-2 will answer this question and will place you on the path to the next level.
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