SUPER SENIOR INTERNATIONAL PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION COMES TO MARYLAND

“SSIPA” COMES TO MARYLAND PICKLEBALL
Joe Palmere Jr.

I am conducting an “interest survey” to start a Maryland “SSIPA” Chapter.
“SSIPA” is an Organization dedicated to helping and supporting, pickle ball players, (60 and above), to continue their recreational and competitive play in an “age-friendly” environment.
An “age-friendly” environment exists when  players of like ages, and skill levels, are provided opportunities to play or compete together.
The age brackets are in five (5) year increments; 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+. 
The skill levels within the age brackets are 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0).
WHY IS A 30 YEAR OLD 3.5 PLAYER DIFFERENT THAN FROM A 60 YEAR OLD 3.5 PLAYER ?
SHORT ANSWER:  “30 YEARS OF WEAR AND TEAR ON THE BODY ! 

The aging process is a slow, decline in body strength, endurance, quickness & loss of sight and hearing. 
As players age,  their ability to improve like younger players, is reduced, due to the aging process.
Some players suffer greater physical losses due to health related issues.
This should not deter any player with age-related mobility & skill limits from playing with equally matched peers.
WHY SENIORS & SUPER SENIORS NEED “SSIPA” 
Many super seniors have experienced a costly and frustrating experience, when entering a tournament many miles from home, thinking they were going to play in their 70’s age group at a 3.5 level , only to find out, on the morning of the tournament, that they were competing with 20 to 65 year old players with a 3.5 skill level. 
All of the registration fees, travel & lodging expenses, for success was time and money wasted.
The SSIPA guarantee is “players 60+ will never have to play players below 60 in age at a SSIPA circuit event. 
Seniors are also experiencing fewer private sector opportunities to play recreational pickle ball with their peers.
Seniors who play in public funded venues, play with the same people day in and day out.
Opportunities to play against different players with like skill and age levels is not promoted Diversity or provided. The “over 50 Competition Brackets of County and State sponsored Tournaments, often have such a wide age and skill range, that deters many super seniors from participating.
Many well meaning local Tournament Directors are unaware of ‘SSIPA’s” recommended “age and skill level” competitive brackets that will attract the “super senior population.
Super Senior Recreational Pickleball opportunities throughout the State, between public funded senior centers.
Super Senior  “Meet, Greet & Play Events.” would provide a social and competitive venue.
Super Seniors” need a loud voice in the National and State-Wide Pickleball Communities, to provide recreational and competitive play with age and skill friendly brackets, and that voice is ’SSIPA.”
THE END GAME
Now, more than ever “super seniors” need a loud voice to represent us and keep us in the “game.” 
Join on the website: https://www.ssipa-pb.org/ . Read the monthly NEWSLETTER. 
SSIPA Code of Ethics/Bylaws, SSIPA Stars (player profiles),
Membership, Founding Members, Tournament Schedule and links to results.
Guidelines on Hosting a Tournament and SSIPA Point Leaders.
Join Group Facebook page: ask to join (it is a closed group) by searching for SSIPA.  
NEW - We have just added a SSIPA Facebook Page to better share information and have you Follow us: Search
 Additional concerns or questions should be addressed to ASKSSIPA@gmail.com.
Local questions or concerns, email “Coach Joe” bhdpal@verizon.net
“SSIPA” IS THE “SUPER SENIORS” NEW VOICE! !  “SSIPA NEEDS US, AND WE NEED “SSIPA !”
AND WE NEED “SSIPA” NOW !




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