In this issue:

Indoor Calendars	Reserved Play at Red Willow
One Possession Academy	Indoor Play - Things to Know

Dear SAPC Members, please note that it is that time of year where we transition to indoor play.  Such play takes place at various St. Albert Schools, Red Willow Church and the One Possession facility.

As such, it is important to reiterate some recent messaging in order to refresh your memory and to avoid the questions that inevitably arise at this time of year.

Indoor Calendars

Did you know that there are Calendars which show all play sessions that pertain to each level of play?  You will find all of our Calendars on the SAPC website.  For example if you are at the 3.5 level, just click on that Calendar (Rated 3.5 Calendar under the heading "Calendar by Rating and Training"), and you will only see the sessions that you are eligible to play in.  For new members especially, please note that the school venues are drop in sessions requiring 1 sticker and the Red Willow sessions are for pre-registered play requiring 2 stickers.  If you don't have stickers, they can be ordered from the online "Store" on the website by clicking on this link after signing in.  

Please note that these Calendars do change from time to time, so it is best practice to verify the date, time and venue of your session before attending by quickly going to the appropriate website Calendar (click here).

As an example, we do not get every Monday if play is scheduled at a school so you should check and not assume!

Reserved Play at Red Willow

Red Willow events/play sessions will open for registration the Friday before at 12:00:01 am (in case you're wondering, this is just after midnight at the end of Thursday).  You can only register for 1 session.   This is to allow everyone a chance to play at least 1 session at Red Willow.  However after 36 hours (noon Saturday) you can register for as many sessions as you want.  Important : if you register for more than 1 session you will be asked to cancel one.  Also, if you register for extra sessions BEFORE noon Saturday you will have to cancel.  In respect of other members trying to register, please ensure you wait until NOON on Saturday before registering for additional Red Willow sessions.  As you can appreciate, once one person registers early, it then it encourages others to want to follow suit; this is frustrating for those who are patiently waiting and, potentially, see that the last spot available is taken prematurely.  So, to be fair, anyone registering early will have to cancel.

Please note that registration play and attendance is capped at 12 members - 11 members who register and 1 spot for the session captain.  Registered play at Red Willow costs 2 stickers.  Members should not hesitate to go on the waitlist if the session is full; there are often cancellations.  If there is a cancellation, the first person on the waiting list will receive an email - please cancel/advise quickly if you are no longer interested or available so that the open position can be filled.

Please attend the session you have registered for!  If you arrive at Red Willow to attend a session for which you have not registered, you will not be allowed to attend.

Please help out the captains who are starting the first and last sessions of the day.  Kindly, assist in the set up and taking down the nets, putting away the chairs, etc.

You may now enter the Red Willow foyer early and wait for your session to begin.  We highly recommend everyone be there 10 minutes early.   This will give you time to get ready and to be signed in and paid as the captain may bring the sign in sheet outside the gym!   Please stay to the side in the foyer allowing the group that is leaving space to collect their coats/shoes and to easily leave the venue.  The captain will invite players into the gym a couple minutes before the hour so they may be ready to play.   Members should not leave any valuables in the foyer as the Church and Club will not be responsible for loss nor theft.

No one is permitted to enter Red Willow for the first session until 8:45am - this is a strict start time.  As such, we ask that if you are registered for the first session of the day that you please be on time in order to help get the session started on time.  We will plan on each session having cleared the gym a few minutes before the end time of the session; that will allow the gym to be cleared of players before the next group goes in.

One Possession

One Possession Academy is now an indoor venue for pre-registered 6 week session play.   Check the Calendar by clicking here.   Play at this facility is scheduled to begin on September 30th. 

Indoor Play - Things to Note/Remember  

Membership Cards

A reminder to everyone to bring their SAPC membership card to all our sessions and events.  The card can be printed or displayed on a member's smartphone and will indicate the member's date of membership and current rating level.  This is particularly important for new members and members who have recently achieved a new SAPC rating level.  This becomes important for all members come January or February at which time everyone needs to provide proof of their 2025 membership renewal.  As noted in previous Newsletters, don't forget to bring your stickers (see more about stickers below).  You will also need a pair of clean, indoor athletic shoes for your indoor play.  Finally, keep yourself refreshed by bringing a water bottle or two (no other beverages are permitted at our indoor venues).   We encourage safety glasses as well.

Arrive on Time

It is important for members to be at the school venues on time as we are not to disturb the school caretakers by ringing the school bell.  Instead, the captain will assign someone to "man the door" at the start of the session.  No one will be allowed to enter the school once ten minutes has passed beyond the scheduled start time for each session.  Doors cannot be propped open at any time.  Play  is considered “drop in” only because you do not have to register - you must be on time!

Play Type

Depending on the numbers of members playing at the school venues, the play type may be paddle play or round robin as determined by the play session captain.

School Venues

Entry to the schools is by the main door.  Members will place outdoor shoes just inside the foyer.  All other belongings are to be brought inside the gym.  There is no leaving the school gyms to wander through the schools at any time.  Washrooms are accessible within all of the gyms except for Holy Family - their washrooms are just outside of the gym.

Visitors

There will be no visitors accepted for indoor play as space is limited and with over 1035 members we need the space for the members.

Nets at Indoor Venues 

Please ensure you know how to put up and take down nets when offering to help captains as doing it incorrectly causes problems. 

Click on the following link for a video by Sean McCartan (thanks Sean!) on putting up and taking down a pickleball net.

PORTABLE PICKLEBALL NET ASSEMBLY

DUPR Rating Clinics

DUPR rating clinics will be held throughout the winter months.  Watch the calendar but also note that those eligible will receive an email invitation.