Let’s Play Pickleball!
Our members gain access to organized play! Below we have outlined the types of organized play we schedule and what you need to know before you arrive.
When arriving for organized play, it is expected that you have your own paddle and court shoes. Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to all organized play to check in and warm up.
Drop-ins
Pickleball drop-in play is a casual, flexible playing format where players can join in and leave at their convenience, often mixing and matching with different partners and opponents for each game. This format is great for socializing, practicing skills, and enjoying the game without the commitment of a structured tournament or league.
What you need to know:
- Be prepared to play with and against a variety of skill levels, as drop-in play typically involves a mix of beginners, intermediates, and advanced players.
- Drop In Play Etiquette: Only play one game at a time, offer up the court to the next group in the rotation, be willing to rotate with different partners and be patient if there are more players than courts.
Round Robins
A pickleball round robin is a format of play where each player or team plays against every other player or team in turn, ensuring everyone gets to play multiple games against a variety of opponents. This format focuses on participation and variety rather than elimination, making it ideal for friendly and inclusive competition.
What you need to know:
- Ratings are often used in round robins to help players of similar skill levels play together to encourage balanced play.
- Players are unable to join a round robin once it has begun. Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early to check-in and warm up before your first game.
- Round Robins usually takes 2.5 hours to complete. Leaving early will ruin the experience for other players.
Rated Play
Pickleball rated play is organized games or events where players are grouped and compete based on their skill levels or ratings, ensuring that participants face opponents with similar abilities and experience. This system helps create more evenly matched and competitive games, enhancing the playing experience for all skill levels.
What you need to know:
- Ratings are required in organized rated play.
- Our club follows CTPR ratings based on tournament outcomes, or you can go through a rating clinic to gain a club rating.
- Time commitment is 2.5 – 3 hours to take part in rated play.
- Arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early to check in and warm up.
Tournaments
Pickleball tournaments are organized competitive events where players or teams participate in matches against each other, following a structured format such as double elimination or round robin, to determine a winner or ranking based on skill and performance. These tournaments can vary in scale from local members only events to large national or regional competitions, attracting players of various skill levels.
What you need to know:
- Ratings and age are used for registration in tournament play.
- Ratings will go up or down based on tournament outcomes.
- Pickleball Brackets is the most common platform used to organize tournaments in Alberta and our club.
- Register early, most tournaments only accept so many teams per category.
Events
The Red Deer Pickleball Club hosts a variety of events. From pot lucks to midnight madness, our events typically focus on connecting our members and creating fun, unique experiences
Private
Pickleball courts are made available for members to reserve for exclusive use by a private group. This allows members to utilize a court for personalized play sessions, private lessons, or group activities without the presence of outside players. This option is ideal for focused training, family gatherings, or corporate events where a dedicated space is desired for a specific time period.
What you need to know:
- Do not insert yourself into a private without direct and explicit invitation.
- Private bookings are identified by a sign hung on the fence/gate of their court.
- Private groups must reserve a court in advance, please cancel your reservation should you no longer plan to use the court.
Our Facilities
Bower Place - Indoor Courts
Motorworks Fields - Outdoor Courts
