Debra has been helping run the Asheville/ Brevard/ Hendersonville, North Carolina region for several years. This region is very active with over 3,800 play sessions to date. We asked Deb a few questions about her experience being a regional admin:

How long have you been playing pickleball and where did you learn to play?
Started playing 5.5 years ago, about 6 months after I retired at 60. I had heard about the game but had not seen it played. I went to the YMCA in Hendersonville, started on a wooden paddle, bought my first paddle shortly after, been an addict ever since.

When did you first join PlayTime?
I joined PlayTime in April 2019 while residing in Waynesville. It was so great to check where folks would be playing in Asheville before deciding whether or not to drive 30 miles to a public court.

What do you think is the most rewarding part of being a regional admin?

First, I get to use some of the abilities that served me before I retired. Attention to details. Organization. Writing and communication. Second, I enjoy providing assistance and PlayTime is an effective tool to do so. It helps new players and new to the area players get in stride quickly with venues and players. This dovetails with my role as an ambassador with USA Pickleball.

What’s the biggest challenge?
Getting caught in friendly crossfire and trying to resolve issues. It can come from competing groups, someone feeling excluded from small and private sessions, and sadly the players who act like their session is a reservation. Courts are in high demand for prime time hours. Folks get stressed.

What advice would you give to a new region considering setting up PlayTime?

1. Go to the source for venue for information. Talk to city, town, or county. It helps to have permission from any private entities like HOA, YMCA, Racquet Clubs, and Country Clubs.
2. Draw out your idea of how to organize your areas and locations. 
3. Do it! Set up your region, areas, and locations. Set up a session and show it to players. Talk to them about using edit session to change time, notes for a session, and being able to email session players. Such big time savers!