Player Development
Introduction to Pickleball
We appreciate your interest in learning to play pickleball and are excited to witness such high demand for this fantastic sport. Regrettably, at present, we do not have any scheduled Introduction to Pickleball sessions, and we are not actively managing a waitlist. Any updates or changes will be promptly communicated here.
Previous Programs
Introduction to Pickleball
If you're looking to begin to master the essentials of this exciting
sport, you've come to the right place. Get ready to embark on a journey
of learning and fun with our comprehensive Introduction to Pickleball!
This
is the platform where you will learn all the fundamentals of
Pickleball, from how to hold the paddle and court positioning to basic
shots and techniques. Coach Susan’s Introduction program has got you
covered! The resounding popularity of this program during the previous
season is a testament to its effectiveness and value.
Due to overwhelming demand, in November, we will once again offer introduction classes on Sundays at Westwood P.S. We have changed back to our original single-session format to accommodate more participants.
Priority registration was offered to our wait-list from our previous Pathways to Pickleball programs for 48 hours.
If you have no pickleball experience and want to get started the right way then this class is for you!
If you are a beginner and already have some play experience and know the rules and how to keep score, this class is not for you, but we hope to see you out at our Beginner/Intermediate play times or other venues noted on our website.
These will be single learn-to-play classes offered on a Sunday
morning from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm for a cost of $25. We will be offering
these classes of 12 people every Sunday in November. The last Sunday is
reserved for young adults aged 18-40 at a student-friendly cost of $10!
This special offering is to advance pickleball with a younger
demographic and challenge the perception that pickleball is for “elderly
people”!
Day 1, Sunday, October 1st, 10 am -12 noon; Day 2 Thursday, October 5th, 7 pm - 9 pm.
Welcome to our new enhanced Introduction to Pickleball with Mentored Play!
The “Pathway to Pickleball” program is tailored to make your journey into the world of Pickleball smoother and more enjoyable.
The PGA Team is pleased to introduce an exciting addition to our extremely popular Introduction to Pickleball sessions! Say hello to our new two-part “Pathway to Pickleball” program. An Introduction to Pickleball with Mentored Play segment, designed to bridge the gap between your initial session and confident participation in Open Play. In this enhanced program, we've integrated a follow-up mentoring session to refine your skills and boost your confidence on the court.
Here's a sneak peek into what you can expect:
Introduction to Pickleball:
If you're looking to master the essentials of this exciting sport, you've come to the right place. Get ready to embark on a journey of learning and fun with our comprehensive Introduction to Pickleball! This is the platform where you will learn all the fundamentals of Pickleball, from how to hold the paddle and court positioning to basic shots and techniques. Coach Susan’s Introduction program has got you covered! The resounding popularity of this program during the previous season is a testament to its effectiveness and value.
Mentoring
Session:
Each court will feature a PGA Mentor alongside four
players. Gameplay will emphasize the essential fundamentals learned
during the Introduction to Pickleball Session. For the best mentoring
experience, players will rotate and have the opportunity to play with
each of the three PGA mentors to pick up the specialty tips and
advice from each. Coach Susan will also be on hand to answer any
questions.
Following a series of games, we'll have a break for you to ask questions and engage with Coach Susan and our knowledgeable mentors. This segment is your chance to clarify doubts, seek advice, and deepen your understanding of the game.
Before closing, we'll cover paddles and other equipment and provide guidance on setting up and taking down nets —an essential part of the Pickleball experience.
We recommend reserving your spot early, as spaces are limited to 12 players per two-part program. This PGA program will be held at the superior court facilities located at: Community Living Guelph Wellington, 8 Royal Rd, Guelph, ON N1H 1G3.
All
equipment and loaner paddles will be provided. You are welcome to
bring your own paddle if you have one.
Pathways to Pickleball – Introduction and Initiation. Follow this link for the registration page.
Program 1 - wait-list only
Session One: Sunday, September 10th, 10 am – 12 noon; Introduction to Pickleball with Coach Susan.
Session Two: Sunday, September 17th, 10 am – 12 noon; Initiation to Pickleball, mentored play with Coach Susan and the PGA Mentor Team.
Program 2
Session One: Sunday, October 1st, 10 am – 12 noon; Introduction to Pickleball with Coach Susan.
Session Two: Thursday, October 7th, 7 pm – 9 pm; Initiation to Pickleball, mentored play with Coach Susan and the PGA Mentor Team.
Note: This program consists of two sessions; therefore, there is no option to purchase a single session. Availability is set to align with the maximum court capacity. Refunds are not available, and no-shows are strongly discouraged.
About: Player Development
The Pickleball Guelph Association believes that one of its greatest benefits is being able to provide its members the opportunity to advance their skills through access to development programs at all levels. In that regard, we are putting together a variety of training programs and reference material that is sure to cover your skill level and development interests.
Also, check our Events section for more information on current events.
In the upcoming year, we will be building on the programs of Intro to Pickleball, Skills and Play with Coaching and Focused Skills Training while also introducing a library of Training Videos. Check out: Training Videos
We will dig into the specific skills needed to achieve each level of player rating. Click on the link below to display a specific definition for each rating level. Ratings and Player Development go hand in hand so we will be constantly referring you back to those skills and strategies necessary to advance your pickleball game to the next level. Player development curriculum and coaching will be focused on how to improve skills and strategies appropriate for each rating level.
Pickleball Guelph Association Comprehensive Ratings Guide
Player Development classes are meant to provide skill and strategy training at each level. For players to improve their games we recommend studying the Training Videos, and get a group to practice the drills we will be providing. We will be introducing a directory of coaches and facilities for those players really interested in improving their game quickly and where you can get individualized and ongoing training.