For the third year in a row, Pickleball England has successfully hosted Europe's largest pickleball tournaments, furthering the growth of this exciting sport on a global scale. This year's event featured pro players from around the world, including notable names like Ryler Deheart, Max Jesus Manthou, Susannah Barr, and Thadea Lock. As always, DUPR was there to provide official ratings, ensuring an accurately measured competitive experience for all players.

About Pickleball England and The English Open

Pickleball England began its journey in January 2019 and has proudly hosted the English Open for the fourth time. Compared to last year, the English Open saw a remarkable jump in participation, growing from 1,059 players in 2023 to 1,998 in 2024—nearly doubling in just one tournament! Notably, the English Open attracted an impressive 45 different nationalities (including the 4 countries forming the UK), showcasing the sport's international appeal.

Karen Mitchell, co-founder and chair of Pickleball England, highlights what makes the English Open a standout event. "It’s the friendliness of our players—about 80% are from the UK—combined with the allure of professional players and enriching experiences like clinics and 'play with a pro' sessions. Our reputation has been meticulously built over the years, enhanced by live-streaming from our Championship Court. It’s a unique combination of factors that create a special atmosphere."

The Road to Gold

This year, American player Jack Munro and British/German player Megan Fudge certainly made their mark at the Open. Jack clinched multiple medals, including silver in Men's Doubles and gold in Mixed Doubles.

“There was such an incredible atmosphere with winning gold alongside Megan, and seeing my international fans is definitely my favorite part”, Jack shared, “but I do think one of the most memorable moments for all of our players is playing against a completely different nationality, in which there were many fans and supporters that watched and rooted against us just because they wanted to support their home country. That is something that we were not used to, and definitely took some acclimating,” he adds.

Megan, who has been competing internationally for some time, echoed this sentiment.

"It feels great to add more international pro medals under my belt. I’ve noticed that many international players bring a lot of bang-bang” she says, "fast-paced, aggressive style to the game, often stemming from their tennis backgrounds. I had hoped to medal in both mixed and doubles events, and I achieved that."

The Growth of Pickleball Data and Accurate Ratings

The DUPR system played a crucial role in ensuring fair competition throughout the tournament. “The reliability of player ratings has significantly improved,” Karen notes, emphasizing that players will need to compete at the right skill level for upcoming events like the English Nationals.

Jack and Megan both see the benefits of growing the sport globally. Jack reflected,

“The multiple medals definitely help with validation, especially across the pond," Jack says. "Being able to play in a completely different environment, with a completely different play style and attitudes towards the game, is something that I was not used to. I'm glad I was able to live up to expectations at this tournament and look forward to continuing to do so.” 

Meanwhile, Megan expressed excitement about the sport’s future:

"I think we will continue to see an exponential growth globally as tours evolve and more international tournaments get bigger prize money and draws. It’s an exciting time to be part of pickleball!"

As the sport continues to flourish, Karen adds:

"The more data that goes into DUPR the more accurate our players' information will be, which will help us ensure that players enter the right skill level events which in turn will make brackets fairer for players."

Indeed it is an exciting time to be a part of pickleball, and we can’t wait to continue to provide accurate ratings across the globe throughout every player's pickleball journey!

Follow Jack and Megan's journey on their Instagram, and don't miss any upcoming events with Pickleball England.

Governing Body Will Integrate DUPR Into All Tournaments and Events, Including English Open, English Nationals and pickleballEngland  

PickleballENGLAND, the country’s governing body for pickleball, has adopted DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) Presented by Delaware Life as the official and exclusive ratings partner for the federation. 

DUPR evaluates players based on match results to provide a real-time, reliable assessment of their skill level. The rating system analyzes a player’s match results to provide a real-time assessment of their skill level across 2.000 - 8.000 scale. All players, regardless of their age, gender or location, are rated on the same scale, unifying the pickleball community with a common language through an accurate, global rating system.

PickleballENGLAND requires all players participating in the English Open, English Nationals and PickleballENGLAND leagues to have a DUPR account. PickleballENGLAND will also ensure that results from these events are submitted to DUPR to count for player ratings. 

“DUPR’s system is used by thousands of clubs, leagues and tournaments to provide competitive, level-based play for the millions of pickleball players worldwide,” said Karen Mitchell, co-founder and Chair of PickleballENGLAND. “Adopting DUPR as the official and exclusive ratings partner will help create fair and open competition for players of all levels, from beginners to those playing in the country’s top events. Our mission is to create and support opportunities for everyone to enjoy and achieve in pickleball, and DUPR’s rating system and technology will help us in reaching these goals.” 

“PickleballENGLAND is one of the sport's most innovative and influential governing bodies. They have been sharing the results from the English Open with DUPR for three years, which has been instrumental in driving the adoption of the rating at the club and grassroots level. We are honored to now become the official rating of the federation and further support  their efforts in advancing the growth and development of the sport in the UK and worldwide,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. 

Players who do not currently have a DUPR account can go to www.dupr.com or download the app to create a free profile and begin logging their match results to establish their rating. 

About DUPR 

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. 

DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including UPA, PPA, MLP, Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, and National Pickleball League. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more. 

About Pickleball England 

PickleballEngland is a non-profit set up to promote and encourage in every way at local, national and international level the sport of pickleball and to act as the sole governing or delegating body for the sport in England. In collaboration with other appropriate bodies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, it promotes the sport of pickleball throughout the UK.

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AUSTIN, Texas (August 16, 2024) – The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP), powered by DUPR, the organization dedicated to creating more events and opportunities for amateur players in the US and worldwide, is excited to announce that FansPlay has been named official fan engagement sponsor.

This partnership is another way The Dink Minor League Pickleball is redefining the tournament experience for pickleball players and fans across the world.

What is FansPlay?

FansPlay is a first-of-its-kind platform dedicated to enhancing your pickleball experience by offering fantasy sports-like gamification to pickleball.

FansPlay promises a true immersive experience for the racquet sports Fantasy Gaming industry. Create your dream team of real players and compete for points based on their performances in live matches.

"I picked my dream team and had a ton of fun following along my players and seeing how they were doing ... I can't wait to see FansPlay grow pickleball engagement." - Megan Fudge, #1 player on APP Tour

Bringing Fantasy Teams to Pickleball

To create a team on FansPlay, simply install the application, navigate to the Create Team process under a specific Tournament/Event, and make player selections based on allocated points, etc.

FansPlay employs an innovative 100-point credit system, allowing users to strategically build their dream teams. Each player has a designated point value, and users can use their credits to select players and enhance their gameplay.

Through FansPlay, users can participate in multiple tournaments simultaneously. You can explore their comprehensive tournament overview to discover ongoing tournaments and join the ones that interest you.

Learn more about FansPlay and download the app from their website.

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DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life is pleased to welcome Pick’d Performance Plus, a revolutionary supplement engineered to help achieve peak performance, as the official hydration sponsor of the DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Powered by JOOLA. 

Pick’d Performance Plus is an innovative performance drink that delivers all the benefits of the secret-cure-all of pickle juice – without the briny taste. Long beloved by athletes as an unusual but highly effective hydration and recovery choice, Pick’d Performance Plus takes the two the prominent acids from pickle juice – lactic and acetic – which stop the muscle cramp cycle, and adds them into their supplements to enable all athletes to experience the power of pickles without the taste. 

Pick’d Performance tackles muscle cramps, enhances muscle performance, improves mental focus, increases energy levels and provides long-lasting hydration to enable athletes to push harder, stay focused and stay hydrated whenever and wherever they compete. 

“We are excited to support these talented athletes on the DUPR Collegiate Tour not only with an effective recovery beverage, but also to join DUPR’s efforts in creating more opportunities for collegiate players to compete and win scholarship and prize money,” said Tyler Deters, CEO of No Apologies Nutrition, the parent company of Pick’d Performance Plus. 

Since holding its first event in 2022, DUPR’s college program has solidified its position as the premier tour in the world, establishing a circuit over 250 collegiate pickleball programs and 1,300 athletes to compete and earn prize money. In 2024, the DUPR Collegiate Tour will run 27 regional and national events, with opportunities for collegiate players to compete at the same events as the professionals through its partnership with the United Pickleball Association.

To sign up for events and learn more, please visit www.dupr.com/collegiate.

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About DUPR 

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. 

DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including UPA, PPA, MLP, Pickleball.com, LifeTime, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League, Pickleball England and Asian Pickleball Association, among others. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more. 

About Pick’d Performance Plus 

This revolutionary formula swiftly combats muscle cramps, boosts energy, sharpens focus, and provides lasting hydration. Utilizing lactic and acetic acids, it targets cramps at their source, while essential electrolytes, nootropics, and energy-boosting components enhance muscle function and clarity. Ideal for athletes at any level, Pick’d Performance Plus is your all-in-one solution for unapologetic performance. Powered by pickles and perfected by athletes.

About No Apologies Nutrition

No Apologies Nutrition is a leading provider of performance-focused hydration solutions, dedicated to supporting athletes and active individuals. With a commitment to quality and innovation, No Apologies Nutrition delivers products designed to enhance hydration, improve performance, and support overall health.

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Partnerships Further DUPR’s Position as the Preferred Ratings Partner for Major International Pickleball Tours, Leagues and Governing Bodies

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, today announced it has been named the official and exclusive ratings partner for Pickleball Peru, the country’s governing body for pickleball, and the Pickleball World Cup, the premier professional tournament for the top players of every country. 

Founded by professional players Hercilio Cabieses and Miranda Cabieses, the 2024 Pickleball World Cup will host 450 athletes from 25 delegations in Lima, Peru, on October 26th and 27th to compete for glory in pickleball’s biggest global event. The Pickleball World Cup will leverage DUPR to evaluate and seed players within the competition. 

Additionally, Pickleball Peru, the governing body for pickleball in the country, will adopt DUPR as its official rating for the III Official Pickleball Tournament - International. All sanctioned events run by Pickleball Peru will require participants to have a free DUPR account. Results from all Pickleball Peru matches will be shared to DUPR to count towards player ratings. 

“DUPR’s system is accurate and reliable, and used by thousands of clubs, leagues and tournaments to provide competitive, level-based play for the millions of pickleball players worldwide,” said Hercilio Cabieses, founder of Pickleball World Cup and President of Pickleball Peru. “Our mission is to grow the game of pickleball nationally and internationally,  and DUPR provides a universal language to connect every pickleball player under one rating system. We are confident that DUPR will support our players in having even better pickleball experiences and our organizers in creating more engaging, level-based opportunities for players to compete.”

The partnerships with Pickleball Peru and Pickleball World Cup reinforce DUPR’s position as the preferred ratings partner for leagues, tournaments and governing bodies all across the world. DUPR works with over 50 governing bodies, including the Asian Pickleball Association (comprised of 36 countries), European Pickleball Association (TK countries) and Pickleball England, and is the official rating of the world’s most influential  pickleball leagues, events and tournaments including Major League Pickleball, World Pickleball Rankings, the US Open Championships presented by Margaritaville, among others. 

“We are honored to support Pickleball Peru and the Pickleball World Cup with a best-in-class rating system to further their efforts in creating the best possible pickleball experiences for players of all levels,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. “Our goal at DUPR is to support everyone in pickleball with access to a simple and reliable rating system. Pickleball is still in its infancy, and the more we can work together to establish a universal language and standard for everyone in the game, the healthier the sport will be for generations to come.” 

DUPR evaluates players based on match results to provide a real-time, reliable assessment of their skill level. The rating system analyzes a player’s match results to provide a real-time assessment of their skill level across 2.000 - 8.000 scale. All players, regardless of their age, gender or location, are rated on the same scale, unifying the pickleball community with a common language through an accurate, global rating system.

Interested delegations of each country can learn more about the Pickleball World Cup on this link and for players interested in the open tournaments can visit this website. All players must have a DUPR account to participate in the event. To sign up for a free DUPR profile and get a pickleball rating, visit DUPR’s website or download the app. 

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About DUPR 

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. 

DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including UPA, PPA, MLP, Pickleball.com, LifeTime, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League, Pickleball England and Asian Pickleball Association, among others. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more. 

About Pickleball Peru 

Pickleball Peru is the non-profit organization that is leading the promotion and development of the sport in the country since 2021. During these years, they have achieved agreements with government entities such as Special Project Legacy and the Peruvian Institute of Sports, which are in charge of the facilities and development of sports in the country. Currently, pickleball has spread at a regional level, it is played in 8 departments of the country and also has the first para pickleball club which promotes the participation of people with disabilities. In numbers, Pickleball Peru has done more than 300 exhibitions all over the country and in Latin America, thanks to this more than 50,000 people in the country have played the sport for the first time. To get to know about their work, you can visit their social networks as @pickleballperu on instagram and facebook.

About Pickleball World Cup

The Pickleball World Cup 2024 Bicentennial Edition is an international competition that will bring together the best representatives of the discipline. 

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide. As a result, Peru will host an unprecedented mega event, which will bring together the best exponents from more than 25 countries, in search of glory at the Legado de la Videna venue. In addition to that, with their participation, they will support the promotion and development of pickleball, since their registration fee is donated to Cabieses Foundation to keep spreading the love for the sport.

Likewise, this great event will count with the participation of 12 certified referees, guaranteeing the highest quality standards. 

The 2024 Pickleball World Cup also has a digital presence on Instagram. If you wish to see more content on our profile, you can find us as Pickleball World Cup.

This October 26th and 27th, Lima is waiting for you to live an unforgettable experience.

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DUPR Officially Launches Provisional DUPR Rating Tool for Coaches – “DUPR Coach” Enables Coaches to Generate Provisional Ratings for Players & Create New Revenue for Themselves & Their Clubs

Rehoboth Beach, DE – DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life and My Pickleball Coach have launched “DUPR Coach,” a technology tool that enables coaches to provide every pickleball player with a full skills analysis and produce a Provisional DUPR for non-rated players. A Provisional DUPR can only be created by a certified DUPR Coach and rates 18 skill sets of a player’s game, including shot selection, court positioning, partner chemistry, and technical skills.

DUPR Coach empowers coaches to  generate Provisional DUPRs for the 34 million non-rated pickleball players in the U.S. using a simple technology tool.

Brian Lloyd, Chief Pickleball Officer of Dill Dinkers, remarked: “Since pickleball is primarily played in a doubles format, the enjoyment and growth of the game require parity of skills. If one player is lower (or higher) in skill level, it impacts the quality of the match for all four players. The Provisional DUPR tool is a high-fidelity way for a player to truly have their skills analyzed by certified DUPR Coaches. This allows players to start their individualized development plan while enabling coaches the ability to support them from anywhere. It allows clubs to run more enjoyable or competitive events, like open plays or round robins, and caters to those new to the sport with the knowledge to register for the ‘right’ event. As a coach, I simply open an app on my phone and produce a Provisional DUPR in a few minutes.”

Brian continues, “The pickleball industry has a very rare opportunity to transform millions of non-rated players into active, engaged members. For coaches, DUPR Coach is the most important tool a coach can have; their phone is now a member engagement device.”

David Kempster, Director of Racquets at The Peninsula Golf and Country Club, a Troon Club, emphasized the importance of why Provisional DUPRs are needed for the growth of the game: "When you provide a non-rated player who’s relatively new to the game with a Provisional DUPR and grow their skills to a 3.5 DUPR, it creates a long-term member. DUPR Coach enables me to rapidly assess a player’s skills—like nothing I’ve ever seen. I now run the DUPR Assessment sessions monthly so players can see where they are and how good they can be.”

Gavin Leon, Director of Racquets at Baltimore Country Club (BCC), a private club with over 5,000 members, highlights the importance of the Provisional DUPR: “For pickleball's growth to be sustainable and non-rated members to better engage and enjoy the sport, there must be a standard for matching players’ skill levels. Similar to the GHIN Handicap in golf, DUPR provides players with an objective way to measure their skill level so they can have the most fun playing competitively. As a DUPR Coach, I can now rapidly generate Provisional DUPRs and develop skills for hundreds of newcomers. At The Baltimore Country Club, coaches now have a new program to welcome non-rated DUPR players. Already, we have seen this approach improve membership growth and retention.”

Jeff Rausch, Director of Pickleball at the Austin Pickle Ranch, expressed his enthusiasm for the impact of Provisional DUPRs for both players and facilities: “Before DUPR Coach, our assessments helped players understand their skill level, but they lacked the formal recognition needed to take action. Now, with Provisional DUPRs, coaches at the Austin Pickle Ranch will be able to accurately assess players and provide them with a globally recognized rating to kick-start their DUPR journey. This not only helps our members better understand their abilities but enables all players to join skill-based play at their appropriate level. The introduction of Provisional DUPRs is a crucial step in ensuring the sport’s long-term success by creating fair, fun, and competitive play at our facility and beyond.”

The DUPR Coach provides coaches with a new revenue stream through DUPR Skills Assessment Events, which are designed for coaches and clubs to elevate their pickleball offerings and boost revenue. These events come with a robust revenue model. Attendees receive a Provisional DUPR, helping them understand their current skill level and set goals for improvement, and they receive long-term personalized coaching that keeps them engaged while they improve.

Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR stated: “Coaches are the lifeblood of pickleball, and the DUPR Coach tool is meant to empower coaches in their efforts to bring more players into the game and create even more engaging pickleball opportunities for all levels. Pickleball is still on a remarkable global growth trajectory and supporting coaches with the ability to assign players Provisional DUPRs will make their entry into pickleball even more enjoyable and ultimately keep them on the court for years to come. We are excited to partner with My Pickleball Coach to merge our tools, technology and expertise to support the growth of the game at all levels."

Coaches interested in becoming a DUPR Coach and providing Provisional DUPR Ratings Services can find more information HERE.

About DUPR

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world's leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR's dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 - 8.000 scale. 

DUPR is the official pickleball rating of leagues, tournaments and clubs around the world, including UPA, PPA, MLP, Pickleball.com, Life Time, The Picklr, National Team Pickleball League, National Pickleball League, Pickleball England and Asian Pickleball Association, among others. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more. 

About DUPR Coach

DUPR Coach enables coaches to launch DUPR Provisional ratings for the 34 million non-rated pickleball players, powered by My Pickleball Coach.

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‍Super Regionals

The five DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life Collegiate Super Regionals of the 2024 season are listed below! Each of these tournaments provide four bids to the Collegiate National Championship, along with scholarship money for the top teams. In addition, the semifinals and finals of each of all five Super Regionals will be livestreamed by Performance Productions, guaranteeing consistent quality, commentary, and graphics. 

Florida Super Regional

September 21st-22nd - The Pickleball Club

Virginia Beach Super Regional

September 28th-29th - MLP Virginia Beach

Nevada Super Regional

October 5th-6th - Green Valley Life Time

Texas Super Regional

October 12th-13th - PALA Pickleball

Arizona Super Regional

October 19th-20th - The Picklr

Campus Regionals

In addition to Super Regionals, we also have Campus Regionals that feed into the Collegiate National Championship! These events are run by schools and facilities using the DUPR Collegiate Pickleball format.

• The Pickleball Club Campus Regional - August 25th
• UW-Eau Claire Campus Regional - September 21st
• Villanova Campus Regional - September 21st
• Purdue Campus Regional - October 12th

Links to contact the tournament director for each of the Campus Regionals are available on our college website, here.

2024 Collegiate National Championship

This fall semester brings us the 3rd annual Collegiate National Championship! With 64 schools and 600+ players expected, it will surpass the 2023 Nationals as the largest collegiate pickleball tournament ever. 

Here is the schedule:

• Friday 11/1 - 16 Groups of 4, 3 Rounds of Group Play
• Saturday 11/2 - 64 Team Single Elimination Bracket Starts, Rounds of 64, 32, 16, and 8
• Sunday 11/3 - Semifinals and Finals

Bids

Here is the breakdown of how the 64 bids to Nationals will be given out:

• 36 bids from Super Regionals (9 Super Regionals with 4 bids each)
• 16 bids from Campus Regionals (16 Campus Regionals with 1 bid each)
• 12 wildcard bids

Any school that has attended at least 1 Super Regional or Campus Regional is eligible for a wildcard bid. The primary factors DUPR will look at to award wildcard bids are the number of events attended, and number of players brought to the event. Secondary factors are the average DUPR of the starting team, and the number of players in the DUPR Digital Club. 

A bid is required to be one of the 64 teams at Nationals. However, schools without a bid can still bring players to compete in the challenger bracket at Nationals. The challenger bracket will run Friday/Saturday/Sunday alongside the main team bracket.

Find out more on Collegiate at dupr.com/collegiate

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August 19, 2024 – The Dink Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, the leading rating software solution in pickleball, are pleased to announce a partnership with the United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A). This collaboration will enhance player experience and equipment standards across all The Dink Minor League Pickleball events.

Effective immediately, paddles certified by UPA-A will be officially recognized for use in all The Dink MiLP competitions. This endorsement underscores The Dink MiLP and DUPR's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of play while offering players more choices when selecting equipment that meets rigorous quality and performance criteria. 

UPA-A has recently introduced its interim paddle certification program, which ensures that all paddles bearing the UPA-A certification meet stringent specifications for fairness and performance. This certification is now fully recognized alongside the existing USAP (USA Pickleball) certified paddles, which will continue to be approved for all The Dink MiLP events.

"We are thrilled to welcome UPA-A certified paddles into our league," said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. "This partnership is an important step in upholding the competitive integrity of our events."

UPA-A's leadership expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. Jason Aspes, President of UPA-A, stated, "We are honored that The Dink MiLP and DUPR have recognized our certification process. This endorsement reaffirms our dedication to elevating the sport of pickleball and ensuring that all equipment used in competition meets the highest standards for the life of the paddle."

Players participating in The Dink MiLP events are encouraged to check for UPA-A or USAP certification labels when selecting their paddles for upcoming competitions. Both The Dink MiLP and DUPR are committed to providing the best possible experience for players and fans alike, and this new recognition is a testament to that commitment.

For more information on the UPA-A Paddle Certification, please visit https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/paddle-testing/#paddle-list

For more information on The Dink MiLP events, please visit https://officialminorleaguepb.com

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