Pickleball Magazine 1-1 | Page 13

FROM THE USAPA Highest age participants: 60+ accounted for 47% of the responses. If you add the 50+, 60+ and the 70+, then the 50 - 79 age groups accounted for 91% of the respondents who play PB. 91% 50+ YES New senior 5.0 skill level: 63% favored introducing a senior (50+) 5.0. SKILL LEVEL 38/54% New 5.5 skill level: 42% favored introducing a 5.5 level. NO Finding skill level: 70% responded “Yes” with regard to being able to find their skill level rating at USAPA.org. 45% Rating accuracy: 45% said their skill level is very accurate; another 41% said it “somewhat” reflects their skill ability; only 3% said it is not accurate at all. 71% Member 2015 USAPA Survey Number of tournaments played: Compiling the results of those playing in 1-3 tournaments annually, with those playing 4-6, yielded a percentage of 71% of responses who play 1-6 tournaments per year. RESULTS SUMMARY Sanctioned tournaments: 38% preferred playing sanctioned tournaments; but there were 54% undecided on this question. Ref compensation: 37% favored refs receiving compensation, but not necessarily in dollars; 17% were undecided; and another 17% favored paying refs a dollar amount. Tournament points: 77% responded “No” when asked if they knew how points were earned and used; on a separate question, 90% said they do not keep track of their tournament points. $$$ Tournament bracket preferences: 57% favored age within skill; another 19% favored skill; adding the responses (raw responses, not adding the percentages) of these two yielded a total of 77% of all responses favoring some sort of skill‑based tournament. REFS Certified referee: 59% favored having certified referees once the USAPA referee certification program has been implemented. 55% 50% Tournament formats: 50% favored double elimination; another 20% had no preference. Ref volunteers: 55% said they have not volunteered to referee at a tournament in the past 12 months. JANUARY 2016 | MAGAZINE 11