Level 1 IPTPA coach, IPTPA Junior Speciality and Special Needs Instructor
As most of our friends already know, Peter and I have been involved with various sports our whole lives, including professionally as a photographer and journalist, respectively. So it was hardly surprising when we discovered a new passion – pickleball – which, alongside playing, is also keeping us rather busy as certified IPTPA instructors.
I started playing pickleball in 2018, have been a Level 1 IPTPA instructor since September 2021. I also successfully completed certification as a Junior Specialty Instructor – the first IPTPA coach in Canada to achieve this designation at the beginning of 2024.
Three months later, in March 2024, I was invited to become an International Advocate for Selkirk – about which I’m incredibly proud, having been brand-faithful since first picking up a pickleball paddle in 2018.
Over the course of the past three years I have organized and taught many students from one-on-one to group programs starting with beginners, progressing through novice, low intermediate, to mid intermediate level. These group lessons have included many seniors new to the game and/or limited-mobility players for which I’m a great advocate for skills-appropriate teaching.
For the past two years I have been an active instructor with Calgary Pickleball Club – often teaching alongside my husband, Peter, (a Level 2 IPTPA instructor) – leading ‘intro-to-pickleball clinics’, beginner, novice, and intermediate programs, as well as working with many private students.
Peter and I are now privileged to also coach the pickleball programs at MNP Community & Sport Centre, which offers world-class facilities within a community-minded environment.
I have previously coached other sports, including swimming and track and field, and certified as a CADS ski instructor to teach individuals with physical and/or cognitive differences, which included Paralympians. The latter provided significant experience in lesson planning and organizing a pickleball program for Special Olympics athletes with diverse abilities and challenges in Calgary. I now also work in developing and delivering pickleball programs for other groups with special needs.
My favourite part of Sport?
Seeing the joy on athletes’ faces when they conquer new skills at all levels – which doesn’t always mean ‘winning’. It’s especially gratifying when I coach special needs individuals and help an athlete overcome particular social and/or physical challenges through sport.
Philosophy: Pickleball is for everyone of all ages and my passion is inclusive teaching, coaching, and mentoring, primarily for recreation but with a competitive spirit to improve every player’sgame.
For the older population of pickleball players, I am a firm advocate of age-appropriate teaching in order to build strength, skills, and confidence, and avoid unnecessary injuries.
