PALA Pickleball, the largest indoor pickleball club in Texas, uses member rankings to create fun and competitive play. Having just opened in October 2022, the Houston-based club has found tremendous success in welcoming all ranks to play on PALA’s 11 state of the art, professional courts. Kaitlyn Myers, Chief Operating Officer, has been told that, “when you walk into PALA, it’s electric.” A lot of its success stems from their “Open Play” design which allows players of all levels to engage in healthy competition. PALA’s Open Play lasts for three hours, twice a day, and the courts are set up for rating skill level. The back three courts are for beginners to 3.0, then 3.5 to 4.0, and so on. This structure ensures that each person is matched with a suitable opponent. Myers says, “there are thousands of players that come in every week, so it can be tricky to know everyone’s individual rankings, but we are very familiar with our 600 members and where they stand.” PALA’s instructors can also easily tell a player’s skill level just based on a couple of games, and they can provide “instructor ratings” to players if asked.
PALA doesn’t shy away from competition; in fact, it’s welcomed. The club has found a way to not only keep members on their toes, but allow people of all rankings to feel included. It can be intimidating for a newcomer to walk into a facility where everyone knows what they’re doing, so Myers emphasizes that, “everybody is welcome to play at PALA, from beginners to pros and everything in between.” One of the biggest goals when opening the facility was to make sure the atmosphere never felt cliquey. Open Play is organized by an instructor who will take four players off the court and bring in four new people to constantly create games. It’s not paddle stacking, which you would commonly see in parks or at other recreational pickleball facilities. It’s designed to mix and match all the guests and members so that everyone plays with everyone. Of course, instructors tailor games based on rankings so that players are matched appropriately, but Organized Open Play is a great way for beginners to learn from more advanced athletes as well.
PALA hosts around 13 different tournaments a year, ranging from their own personal tournaments to Minor League Pickleball, and Myers stated they have plans to grow that number even more. These events are perfect opportunities for their members to come out and play. Everyone is encouraged to engage, even if it’s just to cheer on fellow players. PALA values community, and their tournament outcomes are a reflection of their inclusivity.
PALA Pickleball stands as a shining example of how a pickleball club can foster both competitive spirit and integration within its community. Since its inception in October 2022, they have not only provided a top-notch facility and professional courts, but they have a structure that welcomes players of all skill levels. By organizing play sessions based on skill rankings, they actively avoid exclusivity on the court. As PALA continues to expand its reach and influence in the pickleball world, it remains committed to its core values of community and competitive excellence.
