The USPTA has entered into a 3-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,” USPTA CEO John Embree said . “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 5-hour workshop is $240, and includes the pickleball certification testing, access to the specialty course, and a 1-year membership with the IPTPA. The courses will be hosted at USPTA division conferences. For courses and to sign up, please visit the
IPTPA website and
scroll to the bottom of the page to see the available workshops. Please only select those workshops indicated for USPTA members.
“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,” IPTPA CEO Seymour Rifkind said. “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.”