UTR Pickleball Rating a Global Standard: Pickleball is soaring in popularity, with nearly one in five American adults having picked up a paddle in the last year. However, sustaining this rapid growth requires strategic partnerships. To that end, three key players in the pickleball landscape—UTR Sports, USA Pickleball, and the Association of Pickleball Players (APP)—are joining forces to ensure the sport remains accessible and engaging for years to come.
The leaders from these organizations are focusing on their collaboration. Central to their mission is the implementation of a global rating system designed to elevate the sport’s competitive framework.
Building Strength Through Partnership
UTR Sports, which originally made its mark in tennis, has identified pickleball as a ripe opportunity for innovation. By developing the UTR Pickleball Rating, the organization aims to provide players with a reliable and accurate metric that can be used in tournaments, including the upcoming Golden Ticket Qualifier Event.
This partnership with the APP and USA Pickleball reflects a shared commitment to enhancing player experiences and promoting the sport’s growth. “In tennis, UTR Sports has incredible partners around the world, including Tennis Australia, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer’s agency, Team8, Amazon, and Tennis Channel among others. So why partner in pickleball? Because great organizations can complement each other’s strengths, and we, as others do, recognize when a partner can amplify our mission and our reach,” said Mark Leschly, CEO and Chairman of UTR Sports.
WITH OUR ACCURATE RATING AS WELL AS LEAGUE AND TOURNAMENT SOFTWARE, WE’RE PARTNERING WITH THE APP AND USA PICKLEBALL TO GROW THE SPORT GIVEN THE SHARED COMMITMENT TO THE PROLIFERATION OF GREAT EXPERIENCES FOR PLAYERS AND PROVIDERS.”–LESCHLY.
Standardizing Ratings for Quality Competition
The APP’s founder is a firm believer in the vision laid out by UTR Sports’ leadership. Recognizing that the absence of a standardized rating system has hindered the sport’s advancement, he views the UTR Pickleball Rating as a solution to a long-standing issue. This new system promises to deliver more accurate ratings than existing point-based systems, enabling players to compete against others of similar skill levels.
Simplifying the pathway into pickleball for newcomers, it fosters a welcoming environment that encourages participation. “As the founder of APP, I wanted to work with UTR Sports to grow pickleball because I am a big believer in Mark Leschly. He has had a very clear vision and a very clear path. I also am a big advocate of the UTR Pickleball Rating. The lack of a global standard accurate rating system has plagued our sport for years and is our single biggest blocker to quality competition,” said Ken Hermann, Founder and Head of International & Player Development at APP.
Additionally, the UTR Pickleball Rating is meticulously designed to prevent issues like sandbagging, ensuring that only verified results from recognized events influence the players’ official ratings. This approach maintains the integrity of the system, providing a clear picture of each player’s capabilities. “The UTR Pickleball Rating makes that possible. It’s simple and easy to understand, especially if you’re one of the millions of new pickleball players in the world,” added Hermann.
“THE UTR PICKLEBALL RATING IS ALSO A TRULY GLOBAL RATING, AS THERE ARE UTR SPORTS USERS ACROSS THE WORLD ADDING IN RESULTS FROM ALL KINDS OF EVENTS, INCLUDING TOURNAMENTS, LOCAL MATCHPLAY, CLUB EVENTS AND MORE.”–HERMANN
Investing in Technology for Future Growth
USA Pickleball’s CEO echoes the importance of this partnership, emphasizing that their organization needed a reliable technology partner to manage leagues and tournaments effectively. The ability to run significant events, like the Golden Ticket Qualifier and the upcoming Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships, hinges on having a robust software solution. With UTR Sports at their side, USA Pickleball is confident they are investing in the future of the sport. “The APP’s partnership with UTR Sports piqued my initial interest to talk to Mark Leschly, and it’s history now. We learned a lot, and we were really impressed with what was going to come our way, so we signed up,” said Mike Nealy, CEO of USA Pickleball.
“WE NEEDED A TECHNOLOGY PARTNER WITH SOFTWARE THAT CAN RUN LEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS AND SUPPORT OUR MISSION OF GROWING AND SUPPORTING THE SPORT. BUT THE RATING SYSTEM IS KEY TO THE GAME.”–NEALY
The dual-sided nature of the UTR Pickleball Rating, which includes both verified and unverified scores, caters to players at all levels. This inclusivity not only fosters participation but also enhances competition by ensuring accurate ratings for tournament players and recreational participants alike. “There are a few different rating systems out there. We know of the success that UTR Sports had in tennis, and we knew what they were building. We felt that this was the future of the technology side, and we wanted to be on the front side of that,” Nealy added.
“WHAT I PERSONALLY LIKE ABOUT THE UTR PICKLEBALL RATING IS THE SCALE ITSELF (1-10). IT ALLOWS FOR A MUCH MORE SPECIFIC RATING, AND, OF COURSE, WITH A RATING, ACCURACY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT.”–NEALY
Together, UTR Sports, USA Pickleball, and the APP are committed to creating a thriving environment for pickleball. While forming these partnerships is a significant step, the true challenge lies in effective execution. Drawing on their extensive experience in tennis, these organizations are poised to deliver meaningful advancements in pickleball, particularly at the upcoming Golden Ticket Qualifier Event in Colorado. Their collaborative efforts signal a promising future for America’s favorite new sport.
News in Brief: UTR Pickleball Rating a Global Standard
Pickleball’s popularity is skyrocketing, with nearly one in five American adults playing in the past year. To sustain this growth, UTR Sports, USA Pickleball, and the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) are collaborating to implement a global rating system aimed at enhancing the sport’s competitive framework. UTR Sports, known for its success in tennis, is developing the UTR Pickleball Rating to provide reliable metrics for tournaments, including the Golden Ticket Qualifier Event.
This partnership seeks to standardize ratings, addressing a long-standing issue that has hindered competition quality. With a focus on preventing sandbagging, the system will ensure accurate player assessments, fostering a welcoming environment for newcomers. USA Pickleball’s CEO emphasizes the need for a robust technology partner to manage leagues and tournaments effectively. Together, these organizations are committed to creating a thriving pickleball community and enhancing player experiences for the sport’s future.
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