Hilton Head Island, SC – – Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), the newly formed subsidiary of Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), is pleased to announce it has signed a partnership agreement with USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) to become the Official Education and Certification Partner of USAPA. The multi-year agreement will be a tremendous benefit to thousands of coaches who want to add or enhance their coaching skills and become certified in pickleball.
“PPR is excited to be working with USAPA. USAPA is a progressive organization that has helped turn Pickleball into one of the fastest growing sports in America. It is a natural partnership, because many PTR members have begun, or are strongly considering, adding pickleball instruction and programming,” said Dan Santorum, PTR CEO. “As a professional membership organization, it’s important to provide PTR members with all the tools they need to do their jobs better, to better serve their students/employers, and to improve the overall health of both sports.”
PPR will begin serving members on June 21. As an introductory offer, coaches who join PPR before the end of June will get a FREE summer of PPR membership. Pilot certification workshops begin July 15, with PPR certification workshops for pros and ambassadors officially beginning on September 1.
“This agreement with PTR/PPR is the continuation of USAPA’s goal of expanding its list of strategic partnerships, all designed to effectively position pickleball on the global stage,” said USAPA Executive Director Justin Maloof. “PTR has a storied 40+ year history of high level tennis training, both here in the US and internationally. Not only has PPR patterned their pickleball program after their successful tennis model, but they have demonstrated a desire and willingness to work directly with USAPA to incorporate us in the planning and development process.”
Many joint ventures are already planned between USAPA and PPR. One example is a new option for USAPA Ambassadors who will be able to participate in a specially created PPR program to improve their coaching skills. PPR’s curriculum and certification are being professionally designed by five-time USAPA National Champion, two-time US Open Pickleball Champion, and PTR/USAPA member, Sarah Ansboury.
“As a proud USAPA and PTR/PPR member, I am thrilled to play a key role in this exciting new partnership,” said Sarah Ansboury, who will serve as PPR’s educational consultant and lead clinician for pickleball related activities. “I am excited to create educational curriculum and videos to further the knowledge of those teaching pickleball. I look forward to traveling the USA and around the world to conduct PPR training and certification workshops!”
PPR and USAPA both see pickleball as a complimentary sport for tennis, as it is already providing a significant boost to the racquet sports industry. A common goal is to not lose aging tennis players to sports that do not benefit the majority of our industry. Tennis manufacturers, facilities/clubs, court builders and coaches are benefitting from the rapid growth of pickleball.
