PROFESSIONAL PICKLEBALL REGISTRY COACHING CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP OBSERVATIONS
BACKGROUND
At considerable out of pocket expense, I attended the “July 21, 2018 Professional Pickleball Registry Coaching Certification Workshop.” My attendance was based upon the “USAPA‘s” endorsement of the “Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), as the “Official Education and Certification Partner of USAPA.” The “Head Pickleball Paddles” are sponsors of the “PPR Coaching Certification Workshops.”
I expected to learn new coaching methodologies and achieve “PPR Pro Coaching Certification.” Neither of those objectives were accomplished. I did experienced a flawed “evaluation process,” that favored candidates who could best hit the ball, as opposed to candidates who could best teach others the technical and tactical skills to play, and understand the game of pickle ball.
At age “77,” I was required to perform stroke mechanics and shot selections, the same as candidates half my age. There was “no reasonable accommodations” for age related mobility issues. This conflicts with “PTR BY-LAWS Section 2: PTR will not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, color, physical condition or national origin. My “teaching skills, and game knowledge were not tested, before I was denied PPR Professional Coaching Certification.
The following documentation includes my original certified letter of appeal for “PPR Professional Coaching Certification,” the “PPR Leadership’s decision,” and “my response, which addresses the issue of “confidentiality.”
(1) MY ORIGINAL CERTIFIED LETTER OF APPEAL TO PPR LEADERSHIP 8/21/ 2018
I am writing this “letter to appeal” the PPR Leaderships’ decision to designate me as a “NON-Tested” member” (see attached), and to provide me the certification as a “PPR Pro Pickleball Coach.”
I attended the “July 21, 2018, fee based, “PPR Pickleball Coaching Certification Workshop,” based upon the “USAPA‘s” endorsement of the “Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), as the “Official Education and Certification Partner of USAPA.” I completed all of the performance “certification testing, that I was “allowed” to complete. I was not “allowed” to complete the “Group Coaching Skills Test.“ Nor was I given an opportunity to take the written test for pickleball rules and scoring knowledge.
The “Certification Process” problems that I experienced at the July 21st “PPR Pickle ball Coaching Certification Workshop” are herein numerically listed.
4. No performance feedback to participants by clinicians during the workshop.
5. No feedback to participants to improve their failing technical performance testing.
6. No “reasonable performance accommodations” for age related mobility issues.
7. Clinicians hand selected favored candidates to take the “Group Coaching Test.
8. The rest of us were told that we did not pass skills testing at the 4.0 level.
9. I was denied taking the “Group Coaching Test,” because I did not pass skill testing.
8. Some tennis coaches who passed skill tests, did not know pickleball rules and scoring.
9. Request for a “reasonable (age-related) accommodation, to take the “Group Coaching Test, and if I passed, it would be counted towards my Certification. Request denied !
10. Later, I was told that, “I could take the Group Coaching Test, for practice only.”
11. I was also denied the opportunity to take the written pickle ball rules and scoring test. 12. Requests for ‘copies of my performance evaluations,’ for what I did wrong were denied.
CONCLUSION
I attended the “July 21st “Coaching Certification Workshop,” to achieve “PPR Pro Coaching Certification,” and to learn new coaching methodologies, to teach others how to play pickle ball, and improve their performance at higher levels of skill satisfaction. Neither of those objectives were accomplished. What I did experienced was a flawed “evaluation process.”
As an act of good will, I provided the PPR Leadership with 20 observations and 9 recommendations for improvements. I also provided the PPR Leadership with a proposed curriculum for the “PPR Ambassador Affiliate Workshop.”
The flawed July 21st “Coaching Certification Process, favored those candidates who could best hit the ball, as opposed to those who could best teach others the technical and tactical skills to play the game, including the rules, scoring and etiquette protocols.
The most disappointing experiences during the “Workshop," (1) was when I was denied the opportunity to demonstrate my coaching skills, (2) and when I was denied the opportunity to validate my pickle ball rules and scoring knowledge on the written test.
I should not be penalized by a flawed system with “displaced” priorities, that fails to recognize the most competent and qualified candidates, like myself.
Therefore, I respectfully request that my appeal for “PPR Pickleball Pro Coaching Certification,“ be granted, without conditions or delays.
Respectfully
(2) MY FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO PPR LEADERSHIP FOR WRITTEN DECISION 9/4/2018
I have not received a written response to my “certified letter” Re: “Appeal For PPR Pickleball Professional Coach Certification,” dated August 21, 2018. The “USPS Signed Return Receipt” was Postmarked, August 27, 2018.
I respectfully request “that you will provide me with your written decision,” regarding my “Appeal For PPR Pickleball Professional Coach Certification.”
Sincerely,
(3) PPR WRITTEN DECISION RESPONSE EMAIL
(4) MY RESPONSE TO “PPR LEADERSHIP WRITTEN DECISION TO MY APPEAL FOR PPR PICKLEBALL PROFESSIONAL COACH CERTIFICATION " 9/12/2018
I respectfully disagree with the PPR’s written decision, to deny my “appeal for “PPR Professional Coaching Certification.” I will continue to seek binding relief” from a higher level of authority, and/or, file a “class action appeal,” to include other “disenfranchised attendees” at the July 21st PPR Coaching Certification Workshop
If the PPR Leadership believes, that their written decision to deny my “appeal for “PPR Professional Coaching Certification,” is confidential, then the PPR Leadership needs to explain to me, in writing “why this information should be kept confidential.” However I am not compelled to agree with this request, unless “I” feel there is a strong case for confidentiality, which at the present time, “I do not.”
Any action by the PPR Leadership to conceal “prima facie” “appeal” related documentation, under cover of “CONFIDENTIALITY, is an infringement of my “civil rights.”
Respectfully,
(5) MY FACEBOOK POST: SEEKING DISENFRANCHISED “SENIOR” PARTICIPANTS AT THE PPR COACHING CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP ON JULY 21, 2018 TO JOIN CLASS ACTION APPEAL FOR PPR PROFESSIONAL COACHING CERTIFICATION 9/21/2018
If you were one of the disenfranchised "senior" participants who attended the July 21st PPR Workshop and experience a flawed performance evaluation process of selecting candidates for "certification" who had the mobility and range of motion that could best hit the ball, as opposed to selecting "older" experienced professional pickleball coaches, who could best teach new players the game, and coach experienced players on improving their game, then feel free to join in this "class action appeal to the PPR, PTR, USAPA and "Head Paddles USA, who sponsor the PPR. Leave your contact information in the "comment box" to this post, and I will contact you.
(6) MY "PICKLEBALL IS ALL BLOG" SUMMARY OF PPR's UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES 10/11/2018
The “Pickleball Code of Conduct” applies to players, businesses, and professional organization that oversee and service the sport. However this was not the case during the July 21, 2018 PPR Professional Coaching Certification Workshop.
When objections and challenges to the evaluation process were made by me and other participants, during the July 21st Workshop, Clinicians provided a series of unsolicited apologies, admitting there were procedural glitches that needed to be corrected before any future Workshops.
The PPR Leadership denied me “Pickleball Professional Coaching Certification<“ in three instances of fair and equal public policy practices, (1) no “reasonable age-related performance accommodation,” (2) rejected requests of written skill performance evaluations, and (3) denial for an equal opportunity to demonstrate my “live group coaching skills,“ and a testing opportunity to validate my game play, rules and scoring knowledge. al to testing that would have validated my coaching skills and game knowledge.
Pickleball is respectful courteous and civil athletic pursuit.
The reputation of “Pickleball” should not be tarnished by a flawed coaching certification process. Especially one that favors candidates with youthful mobility, who can best hit the ball, as opposed to less mobile candidates who can best teach others the technical skills, tactical strategies, rules, scoring and etiquette, to play and enjoy the game.
The PPR Leadership should recognize the serious implications of this matter. The “PPR Leadership” should accept full responsibility, for the problematic evaluation process that denied a 77 year old well qualified and well schooled pickle ball coach, the “PPR Professional Coaching Certification.
When objections and challenges to the Workshop evaluation process were raised by me and other participants, Clinicians responded with unsolicited apologies, admitting there were procedural glitches that needed to be corrected.
The admission by the Clinicians that the “evaluation process” was flawed, did nothing to correct the wrongful outcome that I experienced at the July 21st Workshop. The “PPR Leadership” has continued to disregard the seriousness of the issued I raised. These issues included a lack of any “reasonable performance accommodation” for my age related mobility limitations, and denial for access to the documentation identified what I did wrong. The most egregious oversight was the PPR’s failure to allow me to demonstrate my “live group Coaching skills, or validate my pickle ball game rules and scoring knowledge by written testing.
Since the July 21st Workshop, the “PPR Leadership” has implemented some corrective changes to the certification process. They now incorporate a coaches game knowledge, teaching and communication skills, in proportion to one’s ability to hit a ball. textbook perfect shots. evaluation requirements after the July 21st Workshop. None of which was available to me when I attended the Workshop.
The PPR informed me that they "are not going to provide certification to me without taking the test. MEMO TO THE PPR: On July 21, 2018 I was physically in attendance at the PPR Coaching Certification Workshop and participated in 12 hours of skills drills and skills testing, all while standing in a group court side in the morning, mid-day and afternoon SC heat and humidity. There was no seating or shade available. There was no accommodations made for older attendees such as myself to sit while being lectured on shot performance, and then immediately being tested for shot performance in game speed practice rallies with some younger participants half my age. Nor was there any "reasonable accommodation" allowance for older players age related mobility limitations.
When I asked a Clinician if age and mobility was taken into consideration during these skill test, I was told that everyone had to perform the same skill of a 4.0 player. Had I been told in advance of attending the Workshop that I would have to pass the 4.0 skill level testing, under those unfavorable conditions, I would not have wasted nearly $1,300 in Workshop registration fees, PPR Membership fees, round trip air fair, car rental and overnight lodging to attend this fiasco. There was no advertised notification that Workshop Coaching Certification would involve 4.0 level Skills Testing under game speed conditions. This in itself is a breach of ethical business practices when soliciting attendance at a Certification Fee based Workshop.
Incorporate these conditions with the following list of observations that I experienced during this Workshop and the grounds for Unethical Business Practices is strongly supported and justified, if anyone cared enough to investigate all or any of these conditions:
4. No performance feedback to participants by clinicians during the workshop.
5. No feedback to participants to improve their failing technical performance testing.
6. No “reasonable performance accommodations” for age related mobility issues.
7. Clinicians hand selected favored candidates to take the “Group Coaching Test.
8. The rest of us were told that we did not pass skills testing at the 4.0 level.
9. I was denied taking the “Group Coaching Test,” because I did not pass skill testing.
8. Some tennis coaches who passed skill tests, did not know pickleball rules and scoring.
9. Request for a “reasonable (age-related) accommodation, to take the “Group Coaching Test, and if I passed, it would be counted towards my Certification. Request denied !
10. Later, I was told that, “I could take the Group Coaching Test, for practice only.”
11. I was also denied the opportunity to take the written pickleball rules & scoring test.
12. My requests for copies of my skill performance test for what I did wrong, WERE Denied!
Should a future need arise, I have additional documentation that supports each and every observation that I presented in my brief. I can also identify who did what during this Workshop.
I originally attended the July 21, 2018 PPR Coaching Certification in good faith. I paid all the required registration fees and memberships costs to attend this workshop. I travel round trip air and paid for a rental car and overnight lodging. My expectation was to to learn new coaching methodologies, to teach others how to play pickle ball, and improve their performance at higher levels of skill satisfaction. Neither of those objectives were accomplished. What I did experienced was a flawed “evaluation process” that made no allowances for Age Related Mobility Issues, and a DENIAL TO ALLOW ME TO DEMONSTRATE MY COACHING AND TECHING SKILLS IN A GROUP SETTING OBSERVED BY CLINICIANS, INCLUDING A DENIAL TO ALLOW ME TO VALIDATE MY GAME, RULES AND SCORING KNOWLEDGE THRU WRITTEN TESTING.
I was one of fourteen attendees at the first PPR COACHING CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP July 21, 2018 at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center at Hilton Head SC. Unfortunately, I am the only attendee who is willing to step up and report the conditions that I experienced during this Workshop.
I can do no more than that which I have already done. My only hope is that serious pickleball instructors seeking certification will read the contents of this text, and select a Professional Pickleball Coaching Certification Service that has a long standing world wide reputation of ethical and honest business practices, and a certification process that selects, trains, and tests the best candidates with the highest level of teaching skills as opposed to ball hitting skills .
At considerable out of pocket expense, I attended the “July 21, 2018 Professional Pickleball Registry Coaching Certification Workshop.” My attendance was based upon the “USAPA‘s” endorsement of the “Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), as the “Official Education and Certification Partner of USAPA.” The “Head Pickleball Paddles” are sponsors of the “PPR Coaching Certification Workshops.”
I expected to learn new coaching methodologies and achieve “PPR Pro Coaching Certification.” Neither of those objectives were accomplished. I did experienced a flawed “evaluation process,” that favored candidates who could best hit the ball, as opposed to candidates who could best teach others the technical and tactical skills to play, and understand the game of pickle ball.
At age “77,” I was required to perform stroke mechanics and shot selections, the same as candidates half my age. There was “no reasonable accommodations” for age related mobility issues. This conflicts with “PTR BY-LAWS Section 2: PTR will not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, color, physical condition or national origin. My “teaching skills, and game knowledge were not tested, before I was denied PPR Professional Coaching Certification.
The following documentation includes my original certified letter of appeal for “PPR Professional Coaching Certification,” the “PPR Leadership’s decision,” and “my response, which addresses the issue of “confidentiality.”
(1) MY ORIGINAL CERTIFIED LETTER OF APPEAL TO PPR LEADERSHIP 8/21/ 2018
I am writing this “letter to appeal” the PPR Leaderships’ decision to designate me as a “NON-Tested” member” (see attached), and to provide me the certification as a “PPR Pro Pickleball Coach.”
I attended the “July 21, 2018, fee based, “PPR Pickleball Coaching Certification Workshop,” based upon the “USAPA‘s” endorsement of the “Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), as the “Official Education and Certification Partner of USAPA.” I completed all of the performance “certification testing, that I was “allowed” to complete. I was not “allowed” to complete the “Group Coaching Skills Test.“ Nor was I given an opportunity to take the written test for pickleball rules and scoring knowledge.
The “Certification Process” problems that I experienced at the July 21st “PPR Pickle ball Coaching Certification Workshop” are herein numerically listed.
1. No advertised “website” information on “performance testing at the minimum 4.0 level.
2. No response to emails, requesting performance shot selections and minimum skill level.
3. No advance information provided to participants, about a minimum 4.0 skill requirement. 4. No performance feedback to participants by clinicians during the workshop.
5. No feedback to participants to improve their failing technical performance testing.
6. No “reasonable performance accommodations” for age related mobility issues.
7. Clinicians hand selected favored candidates to take the “Group Coaching Test.
8. The rest of us were told that we did not pass skills testing at the 4.0 level.
9. I was denied taking the “Group Coaching Test,” because I did not pass skill testing.
8. Some tennis coaches who passed skill tests, did not know pickleball rules and scoring.
9. Request for a “reasonable (age-related) accommodation, to take the “Group Coaching Test, and if I passed, it would be counted towards my Certification. Request denied !
10. Later, I was told that, “I could take the Group Coaching Test, for practice only.”
11. I was also denied the opportunity to take the written pickle ball rules and scoring test. 12. Requests for ‘copies of my performance evaluations,’ for what I did wrong were denied.
CONCLUSION
I attended the “July 21st “Coaching Certification Workshop,” to achieve “PPR Pro Coaching Certification,” and to learn new coaching methodologies, to teach others how to play pickle ball, and improve their performance at higher levels of skill satisfaction. Neither of those objectives were accomplished. What I did experienced was a flawed “evaluation process.”
As an act of good will, I provided the PPR Leadership with 20 observations and 9 recommendations for improvements. I also provided the PPR Leadership with a proposed curriculum for the “PPR Ambassador Affiliate Workshop.”
The flawed July 21st “Coaching Certification Process, favored those candidates who could best hit the ball, as opposed to those who could best teach others the technical and tactical skills to play the game, including the rules, scoring and etiquette protocols.
The most disappointing experiences during the “Workshop," (1) was when I was denied the opportunity to demonstrate my coaching skills, (2) and when I was denied the opportunity to validate my pickle ball rules and scoring knowledge on the written test.
I should not be penalized by a flawed system with “displaced” priorities, that fails to recognize the most competent and qualified candidates, like myself.
Therefore, I respectfully request that my appeal for “PPR Pickleball Pro Coaching Certification,“ be granted, without conditions or delays.
Respectfully
(2) MY FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO PPR LEADERSHIP FOR WRITTEN DECISION 9/4/2018
I have not received a written response to my “certified letter” Re: “Appeal For PPR Pickleball Professional Coach Certification,” dated August 21, 2018. The “USPS Signed Return Receipt” was Postmarked, August 27, 2018.
I respectfully request “that you will provide me with your written decision,” regarding my “Appeal For PPR Pickleball Professional Coach Certification.”
Sincerely,
(3) PPR WRITTEN DECISION RESPONSE EMAIL
"CONFIDENTIAL, DO NOT FORWARD"
Dear Joe,
Dear Joe,
I am in receipt of your two letters. I have left you two voicemail messages on your cell phone in an effort t address your request, but I have not heard back from you.
You are welcome to take the PPR test. PPR is not going to provide certification to you without taking the test.
You are welcome to take the PPR test. PPR is not going to provide certification to you without taking the test.
If you would like to attend a PPR workshop to better prepare for the PPR test, as a courtesy, you can attend the PPR Worshops Scheduled as our guest."
My best,
(4) MY RESPONSE TO “PPR LEADERSHIP WRITTEN DECISION TO MY APPEAL FOR PPR PICKLEBALL PROFESSIONAL COACH CERTIFICATION " 9/12/2018
I respectfully disagree with the PPR’s written decision, to deny my “appeal for “PPR Professional Coaching Certification.” I will continue to seek binding relief” from a higher level of authority, and/or, file a “class action appeal,” to include other “disenfranchised attendees” at the July 21st PPR Coaching Certification Workshop
If the PPR Leadership believes, that their written decision to deny my “appeal for “PPR Professional Coaching Certification,” is confidential, then the PPR Leadership needs to explain to me, in writing “why this information should be kept confidential.” However I am not compelled to agree with this request, unless “I” feel there is a strong case for confidentiality, which at the present time, “I do not.”
Any action by the PPR Leadership to conceal “prima facie” “appeal” related documentation, under cover of “CONFIDENTIALITY, is an infringement of my “civil rights.”
Respectfully,
(5) MY FACEBOOK POST: SEEKING DISENFRANCHISED “SENIOR” PARTICIPANTS AT THE PPR COACHING CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP ON JULY 21, 2018 TO JOIN CLASS ACTION APPEAL FOR PPR PROFESSIONAL COACHING CERTIFICATION 9/21/2018
If you were one of the disenfranchised "senior" participants who attended the July 21st PPR Workshop and experience a flawed performance evaluation process of selecting candidates for "certification" who had the mobility and range of motion that could best hit the ball, as opposed to selecting "older" experienced professional pickleball coaches, who could best teach new players the game, and coach experienced players on improving their game, then feel free to join in this "class action appeal to the PPR, PTR, USAPA and "Head Paddles USA, who sponsor the PPR. Leave your contact information in the "comment box" to this post, and I will contact you.
(6) MY "PICKLEBALL IS ALL BLOG" SUMMARY OF PPR's UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES 10/11/2018
The “Pickleball Code of Conduct” applies to players, businesses, and professional organization that oversee and service the sport. However this was not the case during the July 21, 2018 PPR Professional Coaching Certification Workshop.
When objections and challenges to the evaluation process were made by me and other participants, during the July 21st Workshop, Clinicians provided a series of unsolicited apologies, admitting there were procedural glitches that needed to be corrected before any future Workshops.
The PPR Leadership denied me “Pickleball Professional Coaching Certification<“ in three instances of fair and equal public policy practices, (1) no “reasonable age-related performance accommodation,” (2) rejected requests of written skill performance evaluations, and (3) denial for an equal opportunity to demonstrate my “live group coaching skills,“ and a testing opportunity to validate my game play, rules and scoring knowledge. al to testing that would have validated my coaching skills and game knowledge.
Pickleball is respectful courteous and civil athletic pursuit.
The reputation of “Pickleball” should not be tarnished by a flawed coaching certification process. Especially one that favors candidates with youthful mobility, who can best hit the ball, as opposed to less mobile candidates who can best teach others the technical skills, tactical strategies, rules, scoring and etiquette, to play and enjoy the game.
The PPR Leadership should recognize the serious implications of this matter. The “PPR Leadership” should accept full responsibility, for the problematic evaluation process that denied a 77 year old well qualified and well schooled pickle ball coach, the “PPR Professional Coaching Certification.
When objections and challenges to the Workshop evaluation process were raised by me and other participants, Clinicians responded with unsolicited apologies, admitting there were procedural glitches that needed to be corrected.
The admission by the Clinicians that the “evaluation process” was flawed, did nothing to correct the wrongful outcome that I experienced at the July 21st Workshop. The “PPR Leadership” has continued to disregard the seriousness of the issued I raised. These issues included a lack of any “reasonable performance accommodation” for my age related mobility limitations, and denial for access to the documentation identified what I did wrong. The most egregious oversight was the PPR’s failure to allow me to demonstrate my “live group Coaching skills, or validate my pickle ball game rules and scoring knowledge by written testing.
Since the July 21st Workshop, the “PPR Leadership” has implemented some corrective changes to the certification process. They now incorporate a coaches game knowledge, teaching and communication skills, in proportion to one’s ability to hit a ball. textbook perfect shots. evaluation requirements after the July 21st Workshop. None of which was available to me when I attended the Workshop.
The PPR informed me that they "are not going to provide certification to me without taking the test. MEMO TO THE PPR: On July 21, 2018 I was physically in attendance at the PPR Coaching Certification Workshop and participated in 12 hours of skills drills and skills testing, all while standing in a group court side in the morning, mid-day and afternoon SC heat and humidity. There was no seating or shade available. There was no accommodations made for older attendees such as myself to sit while being lectured on shot performance, and then immediately being tested for shot performance in game speed practice rallies with some younger participants half my age. Nor was there any "reasonable accommodation" allowance for older players age related mobility limitations.
When I asked a Clinician if age and mobility was taken into consideration during these skill test, I was told that everyone had to perform the same skill of a 4.0 player. Had I been told in advance of attending the Workshop that I would have to pass the 4.0 skill level testing, under those unfavorable conditions, I would not have wasted nearly $1,300 in Workshop registration fees, PPR Membership fees, round trip air fair, car rental and overnight lodging to attend this fiasco. There was no advertised notification that Workshop Coaching Certification would involve 4.0 level Skills Testing under game speed conditions. This in itself is a breach of ethical business practices when soliciting attendance at a Certification Fee based Workshop.
Incorporate these conditions with the following list of observations that I experienced during this Workshop and the grounds for Unethical Business Practices is strongly supported and justified, if anyone cared enough to investigate all or any of these conditions:
1. No advertised “website” information on “performance testing at the minimum 4.0 level.
2. No response to emails, requesting performance shot selections and minimum skill level.
3. No advance information provided to participants, about a minimum 4.0 skill requirement. 4. No performance feedback to participants by clinicians during the workshop.
5. No feedback to participants to improve their failing technical performance testing.
6. No “reasonable performance accommodations” for age related mobility issues.
7. Clinicians hand selected favored candidates to take the “Group Coaching Test.
8. The rest of us were told that we did not pass skills testing at the 4.0 level.
9. I was denied taking the “Group Coaching Test,” because I did not pass skill testing.
8. Some tennis coaches who passed skill tests, did not know pickleball rules and scoring.
9. Request for a “reasonable (age-related) accommodation, to take the “Group Coaching Test, and if I passed, it would be counted towards my Certification. Request denied !
10. Later, I was told that, “I could take the Group Coaching Test, for practice only.”
11. I was also denied the opportunity to take the written pickleball rules & scoring test.
12. My requests for copies of my skill performance test for what I did wrong, WERE Denied!
After recording and reporting these conditions to the PPR, PTA and the USAPA, nothing was done to hold the PPR accountable. The biggest fallacy occurred in the PPR written decision to not grant my appeal by stating " that they are not going to provide certification to me without taking the test. MEMO TO THE PPR: I TOOK EVERY TEST THAT YOU WOULD ALLOW ME TO TAKE AT THE WORKSHOP. YOU WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO TAKE THE OBSERVED LIVE COACHING TEST THAT WAS GIVEN TO A SELECT FEW PARTICIPANTS. NOR WOULD THE PPR ALLOW ME TO TAKE THE WRITTEN PICKLEBALL RULES AND SCORING TEST, even after I specifically requested to do so. I was told by one Clinician that if I cannot pass the 4.0 skill level testing, the PPR would not allow me to demonstrate my coaching and teaching skills, or validate my game, rules and scoring knowledge. The PPR has little to no interest in certifying coaches who have highly developed teaching skills, more so then their performance skills. The PPR first and most important criteria for a certified pickleball coach is HOW WELL THEY CAN HIT A WHIFFLE BALL OVER A NET, regardless of how well they can teach, coach and communicate the technical and tactical aspects of the game to others.
Under these conditions I seriously doubt if "COACH MO" would have been certified .
The PPR did offer me the following consolation, "If you would like to attend a PPR workshop to better prepare for the PPR test, as a courtesy, you can attend the PPR Worshops Scheduled as our guest." All that I endured while attending the July 21 Workshop, and the expenses I incurred, and this is the only reconciliation they feel obligated to provide . . . .if this is the PPR's conception of ethical business practices, equal access to certification regardless of age related mobility issues, and a seriously flawed certification evaluation process that places ball hitting skills above teaching and communication skills, such certification lacks creditability.
I originally attended the July 21, 2018 PPR Coaching Certification in good faith. I paid all the required registration fees and memberships costs to attend this workshop. I travel round trip air and paid for a rental car and overnight lodging. My expectation was to to learn new coaching methodologies, to teach others how to play pickle ball, and improve their performance at higher levels of skill satisfaction. Neither of those objectives were accomplished. What I did experienced was a flawed “evaluation process” that made no allowances for Age Related Mobility Issues, and a DENIAL TO ALLOW ME TO DEMONSTRATE MY COACHING AND TECHING SKILLS IN A GROUP SETTING OBSERVED BY CLINICIANS, INCLUDING A DENIAL TO ALLOW ME TO VALIDATE MY GAME, RULES AND SCORING KNOWLEDGE THRU WRITTEN TESTING.
I was one of fourteen attendees at the first PPR COACHING CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP July 21, 2018 at the Palmetto Dunes Tennis Center at Hilton Head SC. Unfortunately, I am the only attendee who is willing to step up and report the conditions that I experienced during this Workshop.
I can do no more than that which I have already done. My only hope is that serious pickleball instructors seeking certification will read the contents of this text, and select a Professional Pickleball Coaching Certification Service that has a long standing world wide reputation of ethical and honest business practices, and a certification process that selects, trains, and tests the best candidates with the highest level of teaching skills as opposed to ball hitting skills .
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