In this issue:

Final Call for Captains	Ratings Update
Outdoor Play	Referee Clinic
Upcoming Events / Play Sessions	Charity Tournament

Final Call for Captains

Thank you to those who have already volunteered to be captains.  However, In order to offer play sessions for a variety of levels we need to have even more captains volunteering.   We ask all members to consider stepping up in this role.  You may not be aware, but you don't need to captain every single session for a particular play type or time slot; in fact, especially for larger group sessions, we like to have a couple of co-captains where captaining responsibilities are shared.   Even if you would like to be an occasional or "spare" captain, you should attend one of the captains meetings which are scheduled for next week as follows:

April 18th  6:30 - 8:30 pm - Red Willow Church 

April 19th  9:00 - 11:00 am - Red Willow Church

If you are even considering being a captain this spring/summer, please attend and respond advising which of the two meetings you will be attending.

Ratings Update

As announced recently, the SAPC ratings freeze is over and a new Club ratings framework has been adopted.  In conjunction with these developments, the Club has updated the SAPC website to explain all of these changes.  We recommend that all members read through these webpages at your earliest convenience to familiarize yourself with our new policies and processes.  A couple of points to note based upon inquiries received:

1.  DUPR Sessions are underway and the first one was held successfully on April 9th.  Thanks to Eileen, Karen and Jeanine for organizing, James Porter for creating the round robin sheets for score recording and our seeded player volunteers for agreeing to participate in these sessions.  Eligible members aspiring to achieve 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 Club rating levels will receive e-mails announcing future DUPR Rating Sessions as they open for registration (one to two weeks before each session).

2.  If you are interested in attending a DUPR Rating Session, please do not register for one of these sessions until you have set up a DUPR profile.  Instructions on how to do so are included on the SAPC website under Skills Levels and Ratings and the subheading "SAPC DUPR Play FAQ" (you may access by clicking here). 

3.  With the ratings freeze now over we will accept IPTPA ratings up to the 3.0 level including those from Mike Dingwall at EVP.

Outdoor Play

We are all very excited about outdoor play including Club organized play at the Alpine outdoor courts.  Thanks to the team of volunteers who are cleaning those courts today - your time and effort is very much appreciated!

Club play at the Alpine courts will begin May 1st with the Outdoor Play Calendar to be posted on the SAPC website as early as next week.   

Referee Clinic

We will be hosting a referee clinic on Saturday,  May 13th which will run from 9:00 am to about 2:30 pm.  If you are interested in refereeing or just want to learn the rules, please contact Ken Dentzien for more information.

Upcoming Events

SAPC Fun Tournament June 10/11 - Members Only

Registration will open on Pickleballbrackets.com for this "Summer Kick-Off" tournament on April 20th at 6:00 pm.  Information regarding tournament is now up on pickleballbrackets website; click here if you are interested.  If you have not joined St. Albert Club on pickleballbrackets you must do so before you can register.  This tournament is for SAPC members only and will not affect any of your tournament or club ratings.  

Ladies Ladder League (3.5+)

We are once again having Ladies Ladder League for 3.5 plus ladies players.  These will be held on Monday nights starting at 6:00 pm.  The cost is $10 for the season and registration will open on pickleballbrackets.com on April 19th at 6:00 pm.  Click here if you are interested.

4.0 Plus Team League Play

We are planning on trying something different this season and will be having a 4.0 plus team league. Teams will consist of 10 players each and each week teams will play against other teams in men's, women's and mixed categories. Once we compile a list of all players wanting to join the league, we will have a draft to form the teams.  The cost of this will be $10 per player for the season. These sessions will take place on Thursday evenings.  Please email Ken at kendentzien@gmail.com if you would like to play in the league, be a captain for a team or be a spare for the league.

Charity Tournament

The 1st Annual Feisty Pickles Charity Tourney, in support of Breathing Space, Canada’s 1st home away from home for lung transplant patients and families, will be held from May 5 to 6th, 2023 at the EVP Centre, Edmonton, AB.  This two day charity event will be fun and competitive!

On Friday, May 5th come out and cheer on local Celebrities & Pickleball Pros; there will be music, free food & beverages plus a great auction.  Saturday, May 6th will be a fun & competitive round robin event - there will be swag bags for each participant, medals, auction, food trucks and more.   

Click here if you are interested.

Until next time keep your paddle up!