Meet Julie Smith

Julie is excited to bring her love of pickleball to the PPRSC! She loves to teach and coach and can’t wait to build a vibrant and fun pickleball community here.

Soon after learning to play, she became a student of the game - devouring videos, reading books about the game and taking clinics and lessons. Players started asking her to teach at the park where she was playing at the time and so she decided that she needed to get certified before she
socially started teaching. She got her PPR Coach certification about 6 months after learning to play. The next year, she took another step and got her IPTPA Level 1 certification.

She continues to study the game as it continues to evolve, watches a lot of film and podcasts and takes clinics and lessons regularly. She was able to help organize a class for Referee Trainees at Pickleball Charlotte and is working towards getting her Level 1 Referee Certification. She will also
be going for her Level 2 IPTPA certification soon. She has organized many lessons, clinics and drill sessions at various locations around Charlotte, in addition to holding special events and fundraisers.

One day after leaving the courts, she kept wondering why pickleball is such a phenomenon. It brings people who would never meet each other in their daily lives together for fun, laughter and competition. So many friends are be made on the court and those friendships extend to the court
as well.

Her company is Pickleball is the Third Place (trademark pending).  https://pickleballisthethirdplace.com/
 
The concept of the Third Place helps explain what pickleball is to so many. It’s not home and it’s not work. It’s the Third Place. It’s a place to gather and feel like you are part of a community - regardless of your age, religion, politics, affiliations, athletic ability, size, etc. None of that matters
when you are part of a fun-loving, welcoming community full of people who love to hit a wiffle ball around a court with a paddle.

Julie can be reached at julie@pickleballisthethirdplace.com or by text at (919) 448-6150.  Don't miss out on future clinic schedules, social gatherings, and open play. You can sign up now by going to the events calendar HERE and become a part of something extraordinary!  Let's go!