News

LAKE NONA, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2018) – The 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 their Level I certification in pickleball.

“We realize that 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. “The IPTPA has proven to be a well-respected and outstanding organization providing opportunities to improve teaching skills through continuing education programs. However, it is 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. The courses will be hosted at USPTA division conferences.

“As highly trained teachers, USPTA professionals are great communicators, can break a skill down to its simplest components, 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.”