In this issue:

Rating Process Changes	Annual General Meeting
Level 1 Sports - Play Options	Club Tournaments - Save the Dates
Lung Association Tournament

Changes to Player Rating Processes

As noted in our January 30^th Newsletter, the Club is considering changes to the way member players are rated.  Specifically, the Club is considering adopting a performance-based ratings system called the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR for short) to establish a Club rating for new members who want to be rated and existing members who wish to be re-rated.

As also noted in that Newsletter, a Rating Committee was formed to learn more about DUPR and determine whether it may be a good fit for the Club.

The Club has reached out to DUPR representatives, created a Club DUPR account and become familiar with how this software works.  In addition, the Club did a trial run using DUPR for 4.0 players playing at the Level 1 Sports venue earlier this winter.

Here are some of the findings based upon this research:

Advantages of DUPR and Performance-Based Ratings

• Performance based rating systems like DUPR determine a player’s score by assessing the actual, validated game scores entered by (or on behalf of) each player.  The accuracy of the score is enhanced as more games are entered, but the score is more objective than the scoring used by human performance evaluators.

• As it is more objective, a performance-based rating system is likely to result in fewer claims that the result is “unfair” or inappropriate.

• It can be more economical to run a performance-based rating system than a human-evaluated rating clinic. 

• The rating process may be less stressful given that you don’t have the feeling that “someone is watching you” – you simply need to play pickleball and the rating result flows from your play.

Disadvantages

• Members must register with another IT system and learn how to use it (it should be noted, however, that registration is easy and takes only minutes).

• The Club must manage and maintain another IT system.

• In a performance-based rating, players won’t get an assessment of    each of their skills, so they won’t receive specific guidance regarding  the skills they need to work on in order to achieve a higher rating.

• Players may alter their play during DUPR recorded sessions potentially resulting in less fun for those on court. 

Having conducted this research, the Rating Committee members unanimously  recommended the adoption of the DUPR system in some form, given the obvious benefits to the Club (which outweigh the disadvantages in their opinion), by virtue of the following resolution:

“The Rating Committee recommends that SAPC adopt a performance-based rating system called DUPR subject to the development of a suitable implementation plan and SAPC member feedback”

The SAPC Board accepted this Rating Committee recommendation at their regular monthly meeting on February 6^th.

The Board has now tasked the Rating Committee with the development of a detailed implementation plan for a new ratings process regime. Once completed, elements of this implementation plan outlining key changes to the current ratings process regime will be shared with SAPC members for their feedback before ratification by the Board (which, time permitting, is tentatively scheduled for March 6^th).

Annual General Meeting

As members may or may not be aware, the SAPC Annual General Meeting is scheduled to take place next month on March  8, 2023.  Some of what takes place at the AGM is the election of Board members and other key positions.  You will be receiving notifications of how to register for and participate in this very important meeting.  Stay tuned!

Level 1 Sports Venue - More Play Options

Would you like to "rent a court" for a small group of members, family or friends?  

Details of these sessions have been added to the Level 1 Sports Calendar on the SAPC Website.  Please note that event details may evolve as we adapt to our members' take up of these great play opportunities.

You can book your court for next week starting this morning (Friday).  Talk to your friends and book your court now - it's a great price and you play on a surface that is easy on your body!

As noted in previous Newsletters, details are as follows:

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have "Group Reserved Play" for each of the six courts.  

GROUP RESERVED PLAY - How does it work?

• A group may be four or more people.

• Only one person reserves the court.  The reserver must be a member.  Other group members may be non-members.

• A member may book up to 2 courts each day.

• A separate reservation must be made for each court.

• Fee is 10 stickers per court, payable upon arrival (that works out to $33.50/court)

• Stickers must be purchased in advance.  The club does not sell stickers at the facility.

• Reservations can be made through the Level 1 Sports Calendar (click here)

This "Group Reserved Play" or "Book-a-court" play is perfect for many classes or types of players - casual players, recreational players, "70-plus" players or unrated players who wish to play amongst themselves.  Of course, it is also suited to groups wanting competitive play, tournament prep, or court drills.  

Drop-In Play

Tournaments for 2023 - Save the Date!

Please note the following dates for our 2023 Tournaments.  Please put these dates into your calendar and start to make your plans to attend as a participant or volunteer:

June 10 to 11 - Members Only, Fun Tournament

July 14 to 16 - Sanctioned Tournament

September 16 - Members Only, Fun Tournament

If you or someone you know would like to be a sponsor for one or all of these upcoming tournaments, please let Roger or Ken know.  You can find the opportunities available by clicking here.

Lung Association Tournament

Speaking of tournaments, the Lung Association is holding a charitable pickleball tournament in support of Breathing Space, Canada’s 1^st home away from home for lung transplant patients and families.  Families in remote communities must travel to Edmonton, AB for a life saving transplant and this home will significantly ease the financial burden for the out of pocket expenses they must incur.   

Tournament Details are as follows:

Location:  EVP Centre, 9455 45 Avenue, Edmonton, AB

Friday MAY 5, 2023 | 6-10 PM

• Cheer on local celebrities and pickle ball pros
• There will be music, food live and silent auctions

Saturday, MAY 6, 2023 - ALL DAY

• Price: $70 Per Player (Includes Snacks, Beverages, Medals and lots of fun!)
• Round Robin Format
• Levels 2.5 - 4.0+
• Find more info at Info@ablung.ca or call 1-888-774-5864

Until next time, keep your paddle up!