Thank u for taking the time to read this - sorry its long but necessary- there is no opportunity to address u all face to face at once! I ask to kindly please give a feedback comment or an emoji response to this information.

POSITIVE REFLECTION

Every day something changes positively in the world of pickleball and our group is no different. In just over 18 months the group has evolved into something quite extraordinary, thank you. We have grown massively in numbers, seen huge leaps in development of our players (to the extent we already have achieved many european medals and many players are competent & confident to compete in external tournaments). We've added some outdoor

courts, attracted players from out of our central region to our uk wide events and now engage with pickle clubs, players & coaches world wide!

Members who have being playing with this group for the longest time appreciate the challenges of our group's growth: in terms of venue availability, changes to booking & payment systems, upgrading technology to an integrated website and app. Please remember it is possible to see on the community forum on the app WHO has booked into the sessions,  and this gets live updated. Nothing is perfect but we have all learned to adapt and its natural also that as time passes some players will stay and others leave the group. There is no doubt that there will be returners to pickle when it suits them. We have weathered the storms together; some of you have provided valuable feedback and I thank you for trusting in me when I've changed a multitude of aspects of our group's functionality & for all the volunteers who kindly go out of their way to assist for the benefit of all.

YOUR DEVELOPMENT

I am also ultra proud that as well as improving each member's pickleball skills from scratch,  our PBC UK group continues to provide a friendly environment where new friendships form. Pickleball is truly a wonderful thing.

As a coach I strive to give individual advice when and where possible and the short written reports are still available to help you but i apologise if sometimes a face to face nurture or follow up has been too brief or non-existant. This is the price paid for also managing a few hundred players in the group - so i ask you to please help me by finding an appropriate moment if you need to, to face to face discuss as and when things crop up so that I can help you most effectively rather than trying to iron it out after an event. In future there are plans to incorporate some physical space and time available for talking. Where this is possible at some venues we already do, which is so lovely.

I want you all to appreciate that a player's learning journey is incredibly fast and exciting at the start but then this rate inevitably slows over a lifetime, bringing with it some frustrations - you meet others who are more experienced and realise that there is still much to learn! Ratings go up and down! Don't compare yrself to others! Please dont be disheartened but remain resilient and together we can tackle your individual difficulties. Everyone still needs outside help IF you wish to improve.  Just because you have played for a number of years doesnt automatically mean you will become a 5.0 rated player and merely rec playing with the same people will only get you so far. Match play against brand new people can also be quite stressful, and the competitive atmosphere of sport in pickleball is no different. It is likely that you will not play 'your best' in such environments, but having a realistic expectation against similar rated players who may have a lot more experience together with a good attitude of your own resilience will see you through. Don't be too tough on yourselves. Win or lose it's all a learning opportunity and please know i am here for you as members to discuss your past match experiences. I'm sure there will be lots to talk about!

AUTUMN SESSIONS

I want to share with you the direction that I am steering PBC UK. This a journey that I want you all to continue to come along on with me for your own benefits. I'm excited with all the future things I have planned for us.

Ability levels of the group are now vast, with newbies still arriving but also members who are advanced international competitors. We all want to get 'a good game' , possibly play a few times a week and do so as cheap as possible! So with increased numbers, but with limited time on my part, and considering best venues I now propose this plan of action that I hope will satisfy all and keep the whole group sociable, and integrated as much as possible.

(Firstly dont miss the Telford Festival Sun 27 if you didnt already sign in for it.)

From September all sessions on the calendar will either be coach led or 'unsupervised'.

Unsupervised means PBC UK has the potential court space at venues for u to book in individually through the app but without coach in attendance

(as has been the last 2 weeks) For this reason the session will be cheaper, but PBC UK will (for the time being) still provide balls and our pickleball nets at TSV. You don't have the hassle of organising players yourself and attendees names will be listed on the app. We are lucky to find some experienced group leaders like Hugo and Carla or others who may time to time enjoy to help organise sessions such as these. Let me know if anyone else is keen to help in this respect.

Coach led sessions means the coach organises matches, may gives assistance during /provide warm up drills/lead ratings sessions.

No complete beginners should attend an unsupervised session, no matter which venue it is. Guests who already know how to play pickleball can come to unsupervised sessions if they are booked in through the app.

I am most delighted to see members also arranging their own games as well as those set on the calendar. It is more inclusive and less 'cliquey' to please use PBC UK as your network platform to connect /invite others of yr ability to practise with (as has already been done recently on the forum). This is one of the app's purposes to keep the group more integrated. It's great to play with your friends but also be aware that continually playing with the same people may not always be the best for your pickleball development.

There is only a small difference in price from paying to arrange yr own game using yr own balls v booking as an individual into an 'unsupervised' session where pbc uk is paying for the courts, listing who is going and providing the balls. If played at the Sports Village members are still welcome to use our pickleball nets.

Weekly Plan:

All venues will have varying types of sessions going forward to develop everyone.

Mondays

A new indoor venue is secured on Mondays from 5-6.30pm @ Belvidere School, Shrewsbury. Initially this will be an 'open session' for individuals to book onto and mostly will be coach led, with groupings decided by the coach to best develop players.

There is possibility of a later session tbc.

Tuesday mornings will be trialled as an 'open session' sometimes coach led

sometimes 'unsupervised' and cheaper @ The Sports Village. Time tbc.

Tuesdays evenings are not be possible at Sundorne Games Hall over the winter. If the weather is suitable, outdoor sessions may be put on at TSV.

Weds mornings 10-11.30am continue @ Bomere Heath while the weather is suitable. These sessions are part of our PBC UK group, spaces should be booked on the app to show all other members who is going and are mainly 'unsupervised'. Please use the PBC UK forum chat to communicate with members so we are again open to all. If you join as a member of Bomere Tennis Club the pickle unsupervised sessions are free. With poor weather sessions may move indoors to The Sports Village & will be listed on the app for any member to have access to book into. When the coach comes to the session, the price of the session will be altered.

Wednesday nights late 8.30-10pm continue @ The Sports Village - varying types of sessions offered

Thursday mornings 11.30-1pm @ The Sports Village- varying types of sessions offered

Friday mornings @ The Sports Village - varying types of sessions offered

Friday evening @ Sundorne Games Hall - varying types of sessions offered

Saturday afternoons 3-5pm @ Langley School Telford- varying types of sessions offered

Sundays will be dedicated to special events of which there will be at least 3 before the end of the year.

Family sessions & free events in the holidays.

New developments PBC UK will be offering you as members this autumn will be some team /league competitions, play against other clubs, and an end of year playing party to celebrate all our achievements.

THANKS AGAIN

Always open to your new ideas so speak up & thank you once again for your support so we can positively pickle!

Fiona