What we’re about
Welcome Pickleball enthusiasts!
Are you based in the Northern Virginia (NOVA) area and interested in playing pickleball? Looking for a fun way to get regular exercise and meet some friendly neighbors? We are a pickleball group in Alexandria, Virginia, with access to both indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, some of the best in NOVA, and we'd love to have you join us!
Whether you're looking to improve your game or just want to meet new players for friendly matches, this is the group for you. Join us for fun and competitive games and a supportive environment for players of all levels. Let's rally together and grow our love for the game of pickleball!
GROUP’S GOAL: Our goal is to meet regularly to play pickleball, get active, and motivate each other to stay fit. All skill levels are welcome—whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner. Our group tends to include beginner, intermediate, and advanced players, depending on the particular day and game. We’re primarily looking for some fun, regular meetups to enjoy the game together. We always play in a friendly, supportive environment and welcome players of all backgrounds and skill levels. Our group is diverse, inclusive, and LGBTQIA+ friendly. We aim to encourage physical activity and camaraderie among neighbors.
COURTS: The courts are located in the Landmark / West End area of Alexandria, Virginia, near the intersection of I-395 and Duke Street. The pickleball courts are well-maintained and rarely crowded at the times that we tend to play, often with plenty of space for multiple games. The indoor courts are typically available during these hours: every day of the week 6am-11pm. The outdoor courts have more limited hours.
GROUP DYNAMICS: Depending on the day and time, our group may include beginning, intermediate, and/or advanced players. The average skill level of our group tends to be 2.75 to 3.5 (i.e. advanced beginner to intermediate). At the same time, a few advanced players sometimes also play with our group, which gives the play some variety. Our group is always happy to help new players gain greater mastery of the basics, improve skills, or just enjoy a casual game. Whether you're looking to improve your serve, sharpen your volleys, or just have fun, we are all here to help!
All our players know how to play pickleball, at least at a beginner level, and know the rules. If you have never played pickleball before, please consider signing up for a class with your local recreation facility, studying the rules, and/or watching videos of pickleball play online.
COSTS: We occasionally accept small donations to cover the cost of the pickleball court contracts, subscription services, and the administrative support that helps run our group.
FACILITY RULES: Our facility adheres to many rules that guests must also follow. For example, the facility limits the ratio of external guests to members, so there may occasionally be limitations on how many external players can join us due to that rule. Our group also needs time to coordinate with external guests to make sure that each guest is matched with a member who can host them. Our facility requires that a guest always remains with their host when at our racquet club facilities. Our facility also requires that no food/snacks or drinks (other than water) be allowed on the racquet club courts.
BRAND NEW PLAYERS TO OUR GROUP: If you'd like to join our group for some play for the first time, please contact me at least a week in advance of that desired playing time. We want to make sure that there is enough time to follow our “new player onboarding protocols”.
Security at the complex requires your contact details to allow access. You'll enter the complex as a guest, and before your first visit, you'll need to provide identification in advance of your first visit for security purposes. You will also need to sign a release of liability form.
As a first step, brand new players will be asked to provide identification. Security at our front gate may ask to see an ID upon arrival and will likely record your vehicle license plate information. Brand new players also will be asked to please read, sign and return a Release of Liability form.
Brand new players must provide this information *a few days in advance* of any games that they would like to join.
Once our organizational Team can confirm this information, you will be invited to join our WhatsApp group where we organize games, and the facility’s security will be notified to let you into the facility at the agreed upon times. At that time, you also will be provided with the facility's specific address and detailed directions to the courts. You also will need to be matched with a specific individual to serve as your host during your visit.
We are cycling in one (1) new player at a time. Please also consider that we are seeing a large increase in demand from new players who want to join our group. We may be able to cycle you into our group more quickly if you can please join us for the first time during one of our morning weekday games or on a Sunday morning.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
This group is intended to encourage physical activity and camaraderie among neighbors.
We typically have 4-6 players for a game, which is ideal for doubles or casual singles matches. There is typically plenty of space to play, and we make sure everyone gets in on the action.
The rules for our group and the complex and security policies are strictly followed.
We are a diverse and inclusive group; we always play in a friendly, supportive environment and welcome players of all backgrounds and skill levels. Our group is LGBTQIA+ friendly.
If you're interested in joining us for some play, please reach out at least a few days in advance to coordinate. Let’s make pickleball a fun and motivating way to get active together!
Thank you,
Whitney
