Our club has members ranging from those who just want a spontaneous fun session to those who want to get to the top of the most competitive play possible. We try to accommodate all these interests.
The IPTPA ratings system, which SAPC follows, ensures players with similar skills are grouped together in club-organised play and tournaments. Players who are completely new to Pickleball and have no previous skill with the sport start with a rating of 1.0; top players in the sport have a 5.0 rating.
Not everyone needs to be formally rated. There are several sessions in our play calendars, like those designated "All" play, Open Play, and 2.0-2.5 play, that accept players with no club or tournament rating.
Why get rated?
For those who would like a little more competitive play, consider these advantages of a formal rating:
- A club rating clinic teaches you how to improve your play - each session includes feedback from the raters
- Ratings enable members of similar skills to play together
- It builds fun -- what's more thrilling than a close game?
- It measures your progress
- It helps you select suitable events
- It sets up fairer tournaments, ladder play and other competitive play
lt is now a requirement for our club and for other clubs in our region that players wishing to play in club-organized events at a 3.0 level or higher, be club-rated or tournament-rated at that level.
How to get rated?
We are fortunate to have qualified raters from In A Pickle oversee our ratings clinics. In A Pickle is also used by several other clubs in the capital region, ensuring equity with our sister clubs in Edmonton and Spruce Grove.
To register for a rating clinic, simply find one for the level you wish to be rated at in our Rating Clinic calendar, open that rating clinic event, fill in the registration information, and pay the fee online by credit card.
If you don't see a rating clinic posted in the next three months for your level, watch our news postings. We'll advertise when we've created a new rating clinic and posted it as an event in the rating clinic calendar.
Our system will automatically email you back to confirm your registration, confirm your payment, and more. If the clinic is full, you can still put your name on a waiting list, and will be advised if there is a cancellation that opens up a spot for you. The more people on this automated waiting list, the sooner we will schedule the next rating clinic at that level.
The event description has further information on cancellation limitations and processes. Questions beyond that may be directed to rating@pickleballstalbert.ca
