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Prepare for an epic showdown as The Dink Minor League Pickleball announces seven thrilling tournaments! With 12 to 16 teams per division, each Regional Showdown promises fierce competition. The stakes are high, and the first-place team of each division takes home a Dream Ticket, automatically qualifying them for the 2024 National Championship!

Discover the 7 Regional Showdown Locations

The Regional Showdowns span the nation, offering aspiring players from all corners of the country an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and play for a chance to secure the coveted Dream Ticket to the National Championship. Learn how you can earn points at Regional Showdowns to climb the National Leaderboard. 

Take a look and sign up for a Regional Showdown near you!

1. Northeast Regional Showdown
2. Midsouth Regional Showdown
3. Midwest Regional Showdown
4. West Coast Regional Showdown
5. Northwest Regional Showdown
6. Southwest Regional Showdown 
7. Southeast Regional Showdown

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Explore Regional Showdown Divisions and Pricing 

Offered Divisions: 12*, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22* (*DUPR 12 and 22 are only available in specific locations)

Price: $100-$150

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Unleash the Rewards: What Players Can Expect

• Guaranteed 4 Matches (8 games) where all teams go to bracket. There is a single elimination back draw and the main draw plays for gold medals.
• Winners of each division earn a Dream Ticket to the National Championship. some text
  • Dream Ticket = guaranteed team spot at Nationals. 
  • If the gold medalist team chooses not to compete at Nationals, the silver medalist team will be offered the Dream Ticket. 
• The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive The Dink Minor League Pickleball medals.
• Players receive a swag bag which includes a Gamma Chuck Tournament Pickleball, the official ball of DUPR. 

Northeast Regional Showdown Hosted by All State Pickleball League

Date: July 20th

Venue: Bounce

City, State: Malvern, Pennsylvania

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18

Register Now!

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Midsouth Regional Showdown Hosted by OPC & Pickleball Kingdom

Date: July 27th & 28th

Venue: Pickleball Kingdom Plano

City, State: Plano, Texas

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

Register Now! 

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Midwest Regional Showdown Hosted by iPickle Nation and Sponsored by JustPaddles

Date: August 10th

Venue: PickleCon (Kansas City Convention Center)

City, State: Kansas City, Missouri

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

Register Now! 

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West Coast Regional Showdown Hosted by Carmen Sanz Pickleball Club

Date: September 7th

Venue: Willow Pass Community Park in Concord

City, State: Concord, California

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

Register Now!

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Northwest Regional Hosted BY ZZ2 Pickleball 

Date: September 7th & 8th 

Venue: Caverlero MidHigh School

City, State: Lake Stevens, Washington

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

Register Now!

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Southwest Regional Showdown Hosted by iPickle Nation and Sponsored by JustPaddles

Date: October 5th & 6th, 2024

Venue: Picklemall ~ Tempe

City, State: Tempe, Arizona

Divisions: 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22

Register Now!

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Southeast Regional Showdown Hosted by All Florida Pickleball 

Date: November 9th & 10th

Venue: Lone Palm Country Club

City, State: Lakeland, Florida

Divisions: 14, 16, 18, 20 

Register Now!

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To learn more about The Dink Minor League Pickleball, visit the website. Visit our blog for more information on the 2024 National Championship. Sign up for a The Dink Minor League Pickleball event now to get on the National Leaderboard and start your journey toward Nationals!

"We're not just about playing; we're about fostering a thriving pickleball culture."

Orlando Advanced Pickleball (OAP) started as a small community of pickleballers, to now having cultivated a huge group of pickleball enthusiasts in Florida, boasting over 3,900 members. OAP, founded in April 2023, joined DUPR in October, is not only encouraging level base play, but also about making a positive impact on the environment.

Beyond the court, OAP is committed to sustainability through their pioneering pickleball recycling program in Florida. By converting worn-out pickleballs into functional zip ties, OAP has diverted over 225 lbs of pickleballs from landfills, equating to over 1,500 pickleballs recycled and counting. "We're not just about playing; we're about fostering a thriving pickleball culture", says Dave John, founder of OAP. Strategic bins have been placed across key locations in Central Florida, with plans for expansion pending local government approval. In the meantime, individuals are encouraged to transport their worn-out balls to courts equipped with recycling bins to help preserve the environment and support OAP's mission to ensure pickleballs don't end up in landfills, both for the sake of environmental responsibility and for the legacy future generations of pickleball enthusiasts.

“We're committed to ensuring pickleball don't end up in landfills, both for the sake of environmental responsibility and for the legacy we leave for future generations of pickleball enthusiasts,” Dave adds. The organization is also hosting a Fundraising Tournament in June, to raise money for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, that already has over 220 registrants!

Founded just a year ago, OAP wasted no time in partnering with DUPR shortly after its inception. “Recognizing that DUPR is the pinnacle of accuracy and consistency in pickleball rating systems, OAP swiftly joined forces. Now, OAP is preparing for upcoming events, ensuring that scores are entered into DUPR”, Dave confirms. 

The OAP Team recognized the importance of recycling pickleballs after noticing many damaged balls being thrown away in trash cans at courts. Standard recycling facilities cannot process thermoplastic molded resin, the material pickleballs are made from, so OAP took the initiative to ensure these balls do not end up in landfills. 

“Every contribution helps our collective efforts” David adds. “We can help save the world, one pickleball at a time." Whether it is through league participation, tournament play, merchandise purchases, lessons, or donations, all of it helps towards the goal of a more environmentally efficient pickleball community.

OAP operates their recycling initiative without any financial gain, emphasizing their dedication to making a difference in the environment and the pickleball community. As a relatively new organization, OAP has quickly established itself in the pickleball world through partnerships with organizations like DUPR for accurate rating systems and innovative initiatives like pickleball recycling.

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Learn more about Orlando Advanced Pickleball here.

The 2nd annual College Individual Championship is coming up fast! Get ready for the CINC tournament, where students from schools all over the country compete for the title.

Dates: June 1st-2nd, 2024

‍Location: The Pickle Lodge, 7373 Kingsgate Way, West Chester Township, OH 45069

If you want to stay in the area, here is the tournament hotel link. You will need to create an account with Pivot to use it.‍‍‍

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Pricing

• Until April 30th, the price per bracket per person is $59
• From May 1st to May 22nd (when registration closes), the price per bracket per person is $74

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‍Who Can Participate?

• Any student taking at least 6 credit hours can participate! 
• Players that graduate in the 2024 spring semester are still eligible to play
• If you are playing in a doubles bracket, you must play with someone from your same school
• Players must fill out a registrar’s form and submit it here before the tournament starts to certify they are a student at their school.

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Scholarship Money

*Breakdown per event‍

1st place $1000 per player

2nd place $500 per player

3rd & 4th place $250 per player

5th - 8th place $125 per player

In total, there will be $20,000 awarded!

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Tournament Format

• Saturday 9am-1pm, Mixed Doubles Group Play and Quarterfinals
• Saturday 1pm-7pm, Men’s & Women’s Singles Group Play and Quarterfinals
• Sunday 7am-1pm, Men’s & Women’s Doubles Group Play and Quarterfinals
• Sunday 1pm-7pm, All Events Semifinals and Finals

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All events will start with group play, and then the top 8 teams from group play will advance to the single elimination playoffs to determine the 2024 National Collegiate Champion for that particular event. All players in all events are guaranteed at least 4 group play games. The groups will be seeded to have an even amount of DUPR in each group.

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Players can play in 1, 2, or all 3 events, they are not limited to just singles or just doubles.Group play games will be 1 to 21, win by 2, rally scoring. Playoff games will be 2/3 to 21, win by 2, rally scoring.Times are subject to change based on registration numbers. Bids will not be awarded at this event.

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‍How to Sign Up?

‍Click the link here to be taken to the registration page on Swish.

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‍2023 CINC Champions

• Mixed Doubles: Collin Shick & Sarah Carpenter (UNC)
• Men’s Singles: Collin Shick (UNC)
• Women’s Singles: Dylan Ciampini (Utah Tech)
• Men’s Doubles: Collin Shick & Hunter Boyd (UNC)
• Women’s Doubles: Dylan Ciampini & Katelyn Nadauld (Utah Tech)

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‍About Collegiate Pickleball

DUPR brings the excitement of professional level leagues to colleges all across the US with eight Super Regional events and both a team and individual National Championship. Learn more about the recently concluded Virginia and Georgia Super Regionals!

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The only way to improve your pickleball skills and reach your full potential is through structured practice and consistent competitive play. However, injuries and chronic pain are preventing some pickleball players from reaching their full potential on the court, leading to frustration and missed opportunities to enjoy the game they love.

UBS reports that in 2023 alone, there were almost $400 million in injury claims. But you don’t have to be a statistic. 

Many pickleball players are solely focused on playing, neglecting the importance of off-court training — leading to muscle imbalances, poor movement patterns, and increased risk of injury. Without addressing these underlying issues through targeted strength and mobility training, pickleball players may find themselves sidelined by injuries or unable to improve their skills and perform at their best.

In this article, we'll explore the science-backed benefits of incorporating strength and mobility training into your pickleball routine and provide you with simple and effective steps you can take today to help you reduce injuries, move more efficiently on the court, and unlock your full potential as a player.

The Benefits of Resistance Training for Pickleball Players

Resistance training is essential for global health and wellness, but especially for pickleball players. A well-structured plan builds strength, endurance, and resilience to injury.

Research demonstrates that resistance training:

• Increases fat-free mass & decreases body fat % 
• Increases muscle strength and power
• Improves bone density and balance, reducing the risk of fractures from falls or impacts
• Strengthens tendons and ligaments, minimizing the risk of overuse & traumatic injuries

By incorporating resistance training at least twice a week, you'll build a strong foundation for your pickleball game and extend your life expectancy. A recent study with over 90,000 participants found a 41% reduction in all-cause mortality when resistance training was combined with at least 150 - 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). 

And yes, pickleball qualifies as MVPA!

Designing a Resistance Training Plan for Pickleball Players

A well-designed resistance plan should target the major movement patterns: push, pull, hinge, squat, twist, and carry. These movements are functional for daily living and are the foundation of many sporting actions.

When designing your resistance training plan, there are a few critical variables to account for:

Intensity

Intensity refers to the weight or resistance you use when performing an exercise. It can come from various sources, such as dumbbells, barbells, resistance bands, or even your body weight. The heavier the load, the more challenging the exercise becomes for your muscles.

Intensity Guidelines

Beginner: If you’ve been doing resistance training for less than 6 months, choose a moderate intensity and focus on performing each exercise with good technical proficiency.

Intermediate: If you’ve been resistance training for less than two years, choose an intensity that challenges but doesn’t change your form.

Advanced: If you’ve been resistance training for 2+ years, you’ll need to use higher-intensity loads to continue to see improvement. After several warm-up sets, your primary sets should push you within a few reps of failure while maintaining excellent form.

Volume

Volume refers to the overall workload your muscles handle during a training session or week. It takes into account the number of exercises you perform and the sets and repetitions you complete for each exercise.

A dose of approximately 10 sets per muscle group per week is a general minimum prescription to optimize your workouts. Research indicates there are potential benefits to higher volumes for underdeveloped muscle groups, but you should always progress your volume slowly. 

Avoid increasing your total workout volume by more than 15% per week, or you will dramatically increase your risk for injury.

Frequency 

The US Department of Health & Human Services and the World Health Organization recommend that adults perform at least two total body strengthening sessions per week. 

Rest Interval 

As a general rule, rest periods should last at least 2 minutes when performing multi-joint exercises. Shorter rest periods (60-90 secs) can be employed for single-joint exercises.

The Role of Mobility Training in Pickleball Performance

Research indicates that improving mobility through targeted exercise programs can reduce the risk of injury in various sports. Mobility refers to the ability to move your joints through their full range of motion and to be strong and stable in those positions. 

For instance, a mobile pickleball player should be able to flex their hips, knees, and ankles at the kitchen line to return shots. An immobile player may place undue stress on their lower back from bowing at the waist instead of bending the hips, knees, and ankles to return shots.

There are several areas of the body where poor mobility can lead to pain and injury:

• Ankles: essential for quick direction changes and to prevent ankle sprains
• Hips: important hinging, squatting, and rotating 
• Shoulders: crucial for overhead shots, serving, dinking, and more
• Knees: critical for squatting and generating force to move quickly

How & When to Train for Mobility

Because mobility training is a low-stress activity on the body, it can be done daily. Incorporating mobility exercises into your warm-up and cool-down routines is an efficient way to incorporate them into your exercise plan, and it can significantly impact your performance and injury resilience. 

Focus on exercises that move your joints through a full range of motion, such as shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip circles. Squatting and lunging patterns, as well as yoga pushups, are exceptional exercises for enhancing mobility.

Here are a few mobility training exercises you can start today that target various muscle groups of the lower body and upper body to improve overall movement quality: 

Cossack Squat

• Start with your feet wider than your shoulders, toes pointing out. 
• Lift your arms straight out in front of you, shift your weight onto the right leg, and sit back as if there is a chair behind you. 
• Keep the other leg straight, bend the right knee, and lower it as far down as you can without lifting the right heel and keeping the chest lifted. 
• Return to standing and alternate sides until you reach 16-20 repetitions. 

Cat-Cow

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• Start on all fours with hands underneath the shoulders, knees underneath the hips, and back straight. 
• Arch the back, lifting the head and tailbone to the ceiling. 
• Reverse the movement by rounding the back, tailbone, and shoulders, pulling the belly button towards the spine, and looking towards the hips. 
• Alternate positions for a total of 8-10 reps in each position. 

90/90 Hip Rotations

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• Begin sitting on your sit bones with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart and knees at a 90-degree angle. 
• With your back straight and core engaged, you can rest your hands behind you for support (progress to lifting your hands and maintaining balance).
• Rotate your hips to one side, keep a tall upper body posture, then slowly rotate back to the opposite side, alternating rotations for 8-12 repetitions. 

BONUS:

Here’s a video sequence for improving knee mobility with Dr. Kyle Richmond, a rehab and mobility expert.

Integrating Strength and Mobility Training into Your Pickleball Routine

Consistency is key to reap the full benefits of strength and mobility training. 

Aim to incorporate resistance training at least twice weekly, focusing on exercises targeting major movement patterns. Also, consider making mobility training a regular part of your pre-and post-match routine or a regular at-home training program.

Using a personalized training app like AIM7 can help streamline your off-court training. With customized resistance training plans based on your fitness level and available equipment, as well as guided warm-ups, cool-downs, and daily mobility sessions, AIM7 makes it easy to integrate strength and mobility training into your routine.

Get your free 60-day trial by using the code (A760FREE).

Conclusion

Pickleball is a challenging sport that demands a combination of skill, strength, and mobility. By prioritizing off-court training and incorporating resistance and mobility exercises into your routine, you'll reduce your risk of injury and unlock your full potential on the court. 

Remember, the key to success is consistency and a well-designed plan. So grab your weights, resistance bands, and pickleball paddle, and get ready to take your game to the next level!

By Erik Korem, PhD & Susie Reiner, PhD

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Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) and The Dink, pickleball’s leading media platform, today announced The Dink Minor League Pickleball, a new joint venture designed to grow local competitive opportunities for amateur players.

The Dink Minor League Pickleball will extend the reach of MiLP to create more events and opportunities for amateur players in the United States and worldwide. Since its inception in the fall of 2022, MiLP has hosted over 120 events involving over 8000 participants, gaining considerable traction and acceptance among competitive amateur players due to its exciting format, frequency of events, and electrifying atmosphere. With The Dink coming on board as a partner, The Dink Minor League Pickleball is aiming to host more than 200 events in the US this year alone, with plans to expand its footprint and format worldwide.

“Amateurs drive the sport; they're the reason we're all here. We've published thousands of pieces of content to help recreational players, from beginner to 5.0, improve their game. Through The Dink Minor League Pickleball, we're offering an environment to put those skills into practice, compete, and have an unforgettable experience. And oh yeah, they can also win some money,” said Thomas Shields, The Dink’s Founder & CEO. 

Minor League Pickleball, a subsidiary of DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), is an innovative team competition where teams of four players (two women and two men) compete against each other in a novel and engaging format, with twists on traditional match-ups and scoring for games, matches, and tiebreakers. Under the joint venture, The Dink Minor League Pickleball will host over 200 events across the country, including seven new regional events and a national championship, to bring the country’s most competitive amateurs together in an unforgettable tournament weekend.

“We are excited to partner with The Dink, the premier media and news source in pickleball, to grow Minor League Pickleball into the largest amateur pickleball league worldwide by providing more and better playing opportunities and a unique ‘play like the pros’ experience,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. “Combining the power of The Dink’s media platform with MiLP’s exciting format and engaged community offers new ways to spotlight the game, the players and the venues, and further develop the most exciting amateur league the world has seen.”  

The Dink Minor League Pickleball Key Events 

Northeast Regional – July 20th

Bounce Pickleball – Malvern, PA 

Hosted by All State Pickleball League, Stephen Conger

Midsouth Regional – July 27th - 28th

Pickleball Kingdom Plano, TX 

Hosted by OPC, Caroline Luelf 

Midwest Regional – August 10th

PickleCon (Kansas City Convention Center) – Kansas City, MO 

Hosted by iPickle Nation, Rick Fortuna 

West Coast Regional – August 31st

Willow Pass Community Park – Concord, CA 

Hosted by Carmen Sanz Pickleball Club, Carmen Sanz

Northwest Regional – September 7th - 8th 

Cavelero Courts – Lake Stevens, WA

Hosted by ZZ2 Pickleball, Pablo Granados 

Southwest Regional – October 5th - 6th

Picklemall – Tempe, AZ

Hosted by iPickle Nation, Rick Fortuna

Southeast Regional – November 9th -10th 

Lone Palm Country Club – Lakeland, FL

Hosted by All Florida Pickleball, David Tabb 

National Championship – December 13th - 15th 

Missouri Pickleball Club – Fenton, MO 

Hosted by DUPR 

The Dink Minor League Format: Teams compete against each other in Matches using the MLPlay™ format, featuring team matches that are composed of four 21-point games, one women’s doubles, one men’s doubles, and the final two games consisting of mixed doubles. Teams play in a round robin pool, with guaranteed matches and a playoff bracket to determine the winning team. All participating players must have a DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) account, and teams are formed by combining the DUPR ratings of all four players.

For a full list of events and to sign up to participate as a player or host, please visit dupr.com/minorleague.

For further information on partnership and sponsor inquiries, reach out to thedinkteam@heydink.com.

About Minor League Pickleball

Minor League Pickleball offers an innovative team competition format, bringing together teams consisting of four players (two women and two men). Spanning multiple days, our events feature a unique and engaging format with exciting variations on traditional match-ups and scoring systems for games, matches, and tiebreakers. With events hosted in 25 states across the nation, including 108 confirmed events and 7 Regionals, Minor League Pickleball has attracted over 8000 players since its inception in 2022, providing a dynamic and competitive platform for pickleball players of all skill levels For more information visit www.dupr.com/minorleague.

About DUPR

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) 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. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.

About The Dink

The Dink is pickleball’s #1 media and news source, offering a range of content via its newsletters, website, podcast network and social media channels. The Dink publishes daily to over 1 million pickleball players of all levels, covering news, stories, tips & strategy, product reviews, pro analysis and basic information about the sport. The Dink is also the creator of The Pickleball Box, a pickleball subscription box, and hosts a number of pro, amateur and celebrity events throughout the year. Visit thedinkpickleball.com to learn more.

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In a milestone deal for pickleball, Pickleball Inc. and the United Pickleball Association (UPA), the parent company of Major League Pickleball (MLP) and The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour), and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) today announce a strategic partnership to provide pickleball players with a best-in-class experience when engaging in pickleball play, including tournaments, leagues, club and recreational play.

This partnership unites the pickleball play industry leaders to deliver the following:

• UPA has designated DUPR as the official rating across its properties and competitions. DUPR elected to align with UPA due to the organization’s gold-standard competition entities and unmatched global audience of pickleball enthusiasts. 

• Pickleball Inc., will adopt DUPR as the exclusive rating provider for its leading software and technology, including Pickleball Brackets, Pickleball Tournaments, and Pickleball.com’s club, league and ladder software. 

• DUPR will exclusively utilize Pickleball Inc.’s Pickleball Play Solutions to run DUPR-owned events and will benefit from Pickleball Inc.’s reach and powerful technology to receive the most comprehensive competitive player match data in pickleball.

“This partnership with Pickleball Inc. and UPA aligns us with the industry leaders across pro and amateur pickleball and positions DUPR as the common language of pickleball,” said Tito Machado, CEO of DUPR. “UPA, Pickleball Inc. and DUPR are united in growing and providing a best-in-class pickleball play experience to establish the foundational systems of the sport that will grow the game for generations to come. With DUPR, players, organizers and fans have a simple way to know their skill level, find and organize better events and have more fun on the court.”

“DUPR has established itself as the standard for player ratings in pickleball, and we are excited to move forward as industry leaders together,” said Connor Pardoe, CEO of Pickleball, Inc. and Founder and CEO of the PPA Tour. “Integrating DUPR ratings across our properties will enhance our industry leading pickleball play software solutions, as well as competitive, pro and amateur events.” 

About DUPR 

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is the premier global pickleball rating system, 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. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more. Today, DUPR has over half a million users, a 20% month-over-month growth rate since its founding, and a presence in over 140 countries, including China, India, Germany, and the UK. 

In early 2024, DUPR welcomed new board members and investors, including David Kass, tennis legend Andre Agassi, and others to support its mission of unifying the pickleball community with a common language through an accurate, global rating system. The company's partners and supporters include Life Time, The Picklr, JOOLA, Gamma Sports and many others.

About Pickleball Inc.

Pickleball, Inc. is the go-to organization for all things pickleball. Across amateur and professional events, world-class instruction, premier content, data and software, unrivaled commerce and more, Pickleball, Inc. serves fans and players alike with everything they need to enjoy the sport. Entities overseen by the organization include: The Carvana PPA Tour, the competitive circuit for the best professional players in the world and the host of more than 25 pro and amateur events at top venues across the country; Pickleball Central, the leading pickleball omnichannel retailer with gear for people of all ages and levels;  Pickleball Tournaments and Pickleball Brackets, leaders in tournament software delivering a next-generation experience for events, leagues, and ladders; PickleballTV, the 24/7 pickleball network; Pickleball.com, the go-to source for pickleball news and information; and TopCourt, the premier provider of online pickleball and tennis instruction.

About the United Pickleball Association

The United Pickleball Association (UPA) is the steward of the fastest-growing sport in the United States and brings the world’s best professional and amateur pickleball to millions of people globally. As the parent company of the Professional Pickleball Association (Carvana PPA Tour), Major League Pickleball (MLP by Margaritaville) and the United Pickleball State Championship Series, UPA serves as the go-to entity for players and fans to compete in world-class events and enjoy the top pickleball athletes on the sport’s biggest stages.

Media Contacts

DUPR: Erica Annon / erica@mydupr.com 

Pickleball Inc, UPA: Jeff Watson / J.watson@ppatour.com; Jay Moskowitz / jay@majorleaguepickleball.net

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Delaware Life is the Presenting Sponsor of DUPR, Pickleball’s Most Accurate Global Rating System, and Will Collaborate to Increase Play Opportunities at Grassroots Level

Delaware Life Insurance Company (“Delaware Life”), a Group 1001 company and a leader in annuity and life insurance products, and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), today announced a long-term partnership dedicated to driving growth and innovation in pickleball. 

Under the agreement, Delaware Life is the exclusive presenting sponsor of DUPR, pickleball’s leading data and technology platform. DUPR’s proprietary global rating system evaluates player performance based on match results to generate a real-time, reliable, and accurate assessment of a player’s skill level to provide a unifying language for the sport across age, gender, and location. Together, the organizations are partnering to drive grassroots pickleball engagement across the United States to introduce new players to the fastest-growing participatory sport and support the growth of DUPR’s amateur, collegiate, and minor league events.

“Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports embraced by individuals of all ages and aligns closely with our client base. This is just one of the reasons we’re teaming up with DUPR – to support the growth of this exciting game and provide new ways to engage with our clients and business partners,” said Colin Lake, President and CEO of Delaware Life Marketing. “While our brands operate in different spaces, our missions are closely aligned. We’re both passionate and committed to delivering outstanding tools and services that empower our respective communities with information, insights, and opportunities to continue to grow and reach their full potential.”

Delaware Life and DUPR will also collaborate on exciting level-based pickleball events and opportunities, leveraging DUPR’s vast network of clubs and organizations including Life Time, Ace Pickleball Clubs, and Dill Dinkers to enhance Delaware Life’s customer, employee, and partner engagement experiences. 

“We are honored to partner with Delaware Life to not just support the growth of DUPR, but also the growth of pickleball overall. The growth and excitement around pickleball show no signs of slowing down, and now, with Delaware Life, we can enhance our efforts to bring more people into the game and build a global pickleball community connected by the world’s most accurate rating system,” said Tito Machado, DUPR CEO. 

Founded in 2021 as the analytics arm of Major League Pickleball and now operating independently, DUPR has quickly developed as the best-in-class global pickleball rating system used by amateurs, collegiate, and professional players alike to accurately assess skill level. In 2024, the organization welcomed new board members and investors, including David Kass, tennis legend Andre Agassi, and others to support its mission of unifying the pickleball community with a common language through an accurate, global rating system. Today, DUPR has over half a million users, a 20% month-over-month growth rate since its founding, and a presence in over 140 countries, including China, India, Germany, and the UK. The company's partners and supporters include The Picklr, JOOLA, Rally Republic, and many others. 

To learn more about the partnership between Delaware Life and DUPR, please visit https://dupr.delawarelife.com. 

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. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more. 

About Delaware Life Insurance Company

Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001, we were born out of the advisor industry, and we understand how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation, and every individual need. We’re passionate about equipping you with annuities that give your customers peace of mind and a successful future—allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.

About Group 1001

Group 1001 is a collective that empowers companies to create positive growth. Our insurance and annuities are easy to understand and accessible to all. Our online investing platform gives individuals control over their savings. Our technology and innovation help companies succeed. And our strategic partnerships bring people together through education and sports.

As of December 31, 2023, Group 1001 had more than 1,200 employees and combined assets under management of $62.6 billion, serving more than 950,000 customers. It comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge®, Clear Spring Health, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, and RVI Group, among others.

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On April 3rd, at the Major League Pickleball Premier Level Draft, the New York Hustlers selected Jackie Kawamoto with the 16th pick of the 2024 draft.
Shortly after, the Los Angeles Mad Dogs used the 26th pick to select Jackie’s twin sister, Jade Kawamoto.
The final rosters for the MLP Premier teams are comprised of the 48 most in-demand players in professional pickleball. Six of those coveted spots went to three pairs of siblings: the Kawamoto sisters, Ben and Collin Johns, and Jorja and JW Johnson.
Whether as practice partners, doubles teammates, or competitors, sibling teams have a unique chemistry that is difficult to replicate. Their shared history, communication skills, trust, competitive edge, and motivation all contribute to their success on the court.
For Jackie and Jade, the sibling advantage has helped them rise rapidly through the ranks of professional pickleball.
“Just having that person to always practice with was definitely an advantage for us,” says Jackie. “I'm a righty and Jade is a lefty, and we move together very well. I think that's our biggest strength. I know where I need to be when she gets pulled wide, and vice versa. I know all of her shots. We just know each other's game so well.”
“We've practiced with each other our whole lives, so it comes naturally,” adds Jade.
Like many professional pickleball players, the Kawamoto sisters have a background in competitive tennis, playing throughout their childhood and into college. 

Their journey with pickleball began in 2019.
“At first it was just fun, something to do with the family,” says Jade. 
“It didn't take long for all of us to get hooked and pretty much play nonstop,” adds Jackie.
They started competing in 2021, and in less than 3 years, they’ve become top rated pros. The Dink recently rated Jackie and Jade the number five women’s doubles team in the world for 2024, and their 5.9+ DUPR ratings demonstrate how far they’ve progressed in their short time since finding the sport.
“Chemistry is such an important part of this game because of the nature of the game and how quickly it goes,” Jackie explains.
Jade adds that the emotional support is just as important as the training.
“When you grow up with each other, and you're the same age and have gone through similar experiences… I know it's a cliche or whatever, but it does help you on the court to have someone that knows your emotions and knows how to bring you up when you're down,” she says.
This season, that bond faces a new challenge. Where the Kawamoto sisters played together for the ATX Pickleballers in 2023, this year they’ll meet as rivals.
It’s fitting, perhaps, that their new teams represent the sister-cities of New York and Los Angeles, two American metropolises that share similarities and a healthy rivalry.
For Jade and Jackie, meeting head-to-head is an opportunity to keep improving their game.
“We were pretty competitive with each other when we were younger,” Jackie recalls. “It always pushed us to be a little bit better.”
“We still like to be competitive with each other,” Jade says, “but mostly in a fun-spirited way, not like ‘I have to be better than you at this’. It helps us get better if we're trying to have that competitive mindset, but also keeps it fun.”

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