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Newsletter October 21, 2025

2025-10-21 09:44 | Anonymous
 Volunteer Thank You  SAPC Facebook Page 
 Indoor Play Reminders  Alpine Play Statistics
 Club Membership Statistics  

Volunteer Thank You - from President Eileen

Here we are again at another volunteer thank you, the seasons go by very fast. 

Before I say anything else I want to thank Art, Ron and Jeanine for their work at the volunteer appreciation event.  It is always gratifying to see new faces and of course the seasoned volunteers - it is always good to see you as well!

In this Club everything works well because of you the volunteers whether you captain, mentor, train, teach how to use the ball machine, man the barbecue, help out at tournaments, sell tickets, referee, organize DUPR, partner play, team play, input scores for DUPR, Rachel for setting up registered sessions, clean the courts and washrooms (thank you Judy) take care of the equipment (thank you Wally) whether you work on  our committees such as the Rating and the Facilities committees and whether you serve on the Board; I apologize if I have forgotten anyone.

At this time I want to also thank the volunteers' SPOUSES and SIGNIFICANT OTHERS as well, as they put up with THEIR PARTNERS spending  A LOT of TIME TIME AWAY FROM Home (at this time I will give special thanks to Kevin who steps in when ever I need someone, and gives me the time I need for the duties of President and Venue Manager).

When you work behind the scenes and some of you work daily to improve the Club, our club improves automatically.  Thank you for giving your time and energy to make a difference.  Your efforts mean so much to us and the Club members!

We truly couldn't achieve what happens daily without your dedication and hard work.  We are so grateful for your willingness to give your time and talents to our Club. 

They say "volunteers don't get paid, (true) not because you are  worthless, but because you are priceless". 

The Saying  we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give! So because of you all and your giving as a club," we benefit so much and we are so lucky that you give so freely to our club (the best in Alberta).

Aristotle said "What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” - I pray that the good you do returns to you a hundredfold.

I will end with an Irish blessing -

May you be poor in misfortune,

Rich in blessings,

Slow to make enemies,

Quick to make friends.

But rich or poor, quick or slow,

May you know nothing but happiness

From this day forward.

On behalf of our club thank you so much!

St. Albert Facebook Page

The Club has maintained a Facebook page to provide SAPC members with information, to readily connect with each other, to arrange for spontaneous games share information relevant to pickleball.  The SAPC Facebook page/account should not be used to endorse people, products, services or organizations.  Postings of a personal nature that are not acceptable include non-pickleball vacations, yard sales, selling of any personal items, etc.  Statements posted on this site  reflect upon the reputation of the Club so we must all be mindful about what we post.

The Facebook administrator will removed posts that are not aligned with these guidelines and she/he will not seek prior approval from the posting member.  Members are asked to be respectful of these guidelines and the administrator tasked to oversee them.  Members are expect to comply with the SAPC Code of Conduct in all uses of this closed FB platform.  

Club members found to be violating the SAPC Code of Conduct or using FB inappropriately may be subject to disciplinary action, including barring access to the closed FB platform and or SAPC membership.

Indoor Play Things to Remember

Hi ALL - indoor play season is upon us!  In order to get yourself prepared, we are providing you with the same reminder information that we compiled last month.  There have been a lot of questions from members about indoor play, so please read this information again to get yourself up to speed.

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 2026 membership renewal.

With the changes to requirements for school venues (St. Albert residents only) bring your ID unless you have renewed your membership and the card now identifies you as resident of St. Albert.

Stickers for Indoor Play

As noted in previous Newsletters, don't forget to bring your stickers (if you need stickers, you must log into your account and buy these in the online store).   For those members who qualify for school venues, you will pay one sticker while Red Willow sessions require 2 stickers.  For other venues, payment requirements are outlined in the registration information for those sessions.

Clothing, Refreshment and Safety

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 β€œdrop in” only because you do not have to register - you MUST be on time!  There has been confusion about the Club "drop in" sessions. "Drop in" doesn't mean you can casually show up late or at any time during the duration of these sessions.  Members MUST be on time.  "Drop in", again, just means no registration is needed for these sessions.  If the school time says, for example, open 6:30 pm, the school caretaker usually lets the captain/club members in 15 minutes ahead to get the nets set up such that play can usually begin right at the beginning of the scheduled session.

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 900 members we need the space for those 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

Alpine Play Statistics  

Please be advised of the following attendance at Club-organized play sessions at the outdoor Alpine courts in the month of September:

Rating Level             Number of Attendees

 2.5                                                 223

 3.0                                                 159

 3.5                                                 530

3.5 Women                                    74

3.5 Men                                          37

3.5+                                                 85

4.0+                                               208                         

All Play                                         354

Partner Play                               108

DUPR  Play                                   92

TOTAL                                      1,870

October Total                             285

August Total                            2,199

July Total                                  2,374

June Total                                 2,139

May Total                                   1,925

Club Membership Statistics  

Our membership currently tops 900 members!   Membership renewals have begun starting October 1st.

A breakdown of our August membership by rating level follows below (with comparatives for the previous month):

                                August/25        Sept/25 (Current)      Inc/(Dec)

No Rating                   257                             278                              21    

2.5 Rating                     58                                59                                1 

3.0 Rating                   162                             161                               (1)                

3.5 Rating                    254                            255                                1 

4.0 Rating                    143                            146                                3

4.5+ Rating                    44                              45                                 1 

Total Members         918                           944                              26

Until next time keep your paddle up!  

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