Irene D’Aloisio

Want to learn how to improve your pickleball skills? Want to understand or better your pickleball strategy? Then learn from the best at the Cottonwood Pickleball Expo! The Sun Lakes Pickleball Club Cottonwood (SLPCC) is hosting an event which will do just that on October 28 at the Cottonwood pickleball courts. This event for SLPCC members and several other pickleball clubs from the East Valley will start at 11:00 a.m. with a book sale and signing by author and coach Mary Littlewood. Mary will discuss her new book, Pickleball Fundamentals, which was published this year under the auspices of the USAPA and she will also share her expert knowledge of pickleball with us on the courts so we can improve our own skills. Mary is already locally known for her writing and her participation in Arizona sports. She has earned numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals in the Arizona Senior Olympics and in the Huntsman World Senior Games. Suffice it to say, “Mary knows pickleball and her book is a must-have for any pickleball player.” According to USAPA Executive Director Justin Maloof, “by combining key elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports around. Pickleball Fundamentals will help you serve, volley, dink, lob and smash your way through a successful game.”

While Mary is busy doing sales and signing of her book in the Saguaro Room from 11:00 a.m. to noon, the model players who posed for the photos will conduct a panel discussion alongside Mary. Here you’ll be able to listen to these experts give their tips for a great game and ask your own questions. At noon everyone will move to the courts where Mary will discuss the game. There will be demonstrations by the model players as well as exhibition games.

At 1:00 p.m. club members will return to the Saguaro Room for a cash bar and pizza lunch. This is a great opportunity to chit chat and to rub elbows with the best as well as network with other local area pickleball club members.

If you’ve already purchased your copy of Mary’s book, remember to bring it along to the event so Mary can personalize it. If you don’t have one you can purchase one from Mary for $18 per book or $17 each when you buy three or more books. There is special pricing for ARC members. Only cash or check will be accepted for book sales.

Don’t miss this great event! Mark your calendars for October 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cottonwood pickleball courts!