We're incredibly excited to unveil our first group of Pickleball in the Sun Ambassadors! These passionate players are the heart and soul of pickleball in their communities, and they'll be leading the charge in our 12 launch cities. As your local pickleball experts, our Ambassadors will be busy hosting engaging events, fostering welcoming atmospheres, and sharing their love for the sport with everyone. Get ready to connect with your local Ambassador and be part of the booming pickleball scene right where you live!

Being a Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador is about more than just playing; it's about elevating the sport and connecting with the community. Our Ambassadors will be instrumental in expanding local participation and making pickleball accessible to all. Beyond growing the game, they'll also play a pivotal role in showcasing leading brands to our enthusiastic pickleball fan base. Through their local events and community engagement, our Ambassadors will create unique opportunities for our partners to connect directly with pickleball enthusiasts. Pickleball in the Sun founder, Laura Gainor, along with our certified pro and events manager, Courtney Clark, have a proven track record of orchestrating incredible experiential events for clients. They're excited to continue finding dynamic opportunities and crafting unforgettable brand experiences with the help of our Ambassadors.

Our Ambassadors are set to embark on an incredible journey. Their main goal is to showcase brands as we continue to expand our experiential event offerings. These individuals in their respective cities will be key to expanding Pickleball in the Sun's reach and impact. We can't wait to continue connecting with brands in a meaningful way, and these Ambassadors will be a crucial part of that growth. Beyond their vital role in growing the sport and connecting brands with fans, they'll unlock exclusive perks, including special gear and valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders. Plus, they'll be engaging with avid pickleball fans and fellow ambassadors through fun challenges with the Pickleball in the Sun Passport.

Meredith, the Director of Racquet Sports at Austin Country Club, is an Austin Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador, excited to foster connections and camaraderie through the sport. Having played pickleball for three years, her favorite local spots include Austin Country Club and Pickleland. Meredith is also a team player for the Austin Ignite, a senior pro pickleball team part of the National Pickleball League, and has achieved a PPA gold medal.

Where are your favorite places to play in Austin?

Austin Country Club, Pickleland, Picklr West Austin, Urban Pickleball Club downtown

Erin is excited to be a Charlotte Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador, driven by her passion for pickleball and the community it fosters. She's been playing consistently for about a year and a half, loving the sport since the pandemic. While she enjoys public courts, Rally in Charlotte has become a favorite place to play. In her full-time career, Erin works with StriveScan, an Education Technology company.

Where are your favorite places to play in Charlotte

Rally has become my "third place"- you can catch me there several days a week, but I also love some public court open play here and there.

@erinsheehan

Savannah, a seasoned marketer passionate about company culture, is our Chicago Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador. Though relatively new to the sport, having started playing almost a year ago during her recovery from a second breast cancer diagnosis, she quickly fell in love with pickleball's joy, connection, and competitive spirit. Excited to leverage her experience in Austin and Chicago's hospitality scenes and her passion for hosting, Savannah aims to build an authentic and energetic pickleball community, sharing her love for the sport and its unique ability to bring people together. She enjoys playing at SPF and various outdoor parks in Chicago, and dreams of playing pickleball anywhere warm by the ocean.

Elyse, the Assistant Commissioner of Digital Content for the Atlantic Sun Conference, is excited to be a Jacksonville Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador. Having moved to Jacksonville in the fall of 2024, she quickly became addicted to pickleball, which helped her fall in love with her new city. Elyse is eager to contribute to the growth of Jacksonville's thriving pickleball community, often playing at her go-to spot, Fort Family Park.

Mitali is thrilled to be the Los Angeles Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador, drawn to the sport's ability to build community, energy, and fun. She has been playing pickleball on and off since the pandemic, finding it a great way to unwind and connect with people. Mitali enjoys playing in Santa Monica and near USC, with Pickle Pop in Downtown Santa Monica next on her list. Currently pursuing her Master of Public Administration at USC, she hopes to work in local government, continuing to bring people together, just like pickleball does.

Alaina is absolutely thrilled to represent Miami as a Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador, eager to share the vibrant culture, connection, and fun of the sport that has transformed her life. Having been "addicted" to pickleball for two years, she frequently plays at Miami Beach Golf Course, Dinko PB Complex, and The Fort, where she also hosts "Friendly Fridays" to welcome new players. In her full-time career, Alaina is a fitness and wellness event planner and community builder, and the founder of The Serve Social, a new lifestyle-forward pickleball club dedicated to creating unique experiences that blend wellness, community, and creativity.

Ian, who has been playing pickleball consistently for three years, is genuinely honored to be the Milwaukee Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador. As a marketing and communications professional, he is excited to share his passion for the sport, connect with players, and highlight Milwaukee's growing enthusiasm for pickleball, helping to build awareness and encourage new participants. His favorite local spots include the courts at Riverwalk Commons and Grand Avenue Mall.

Kartik, a Product Manager in tech focused on AI-driven productivity tools, is thrilled to be the New York City Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador because the sport has become a core part of his NYC life, providing an outlet for community, activity, and fun. He started playing regularly about 1.5-2 years ago and quickly became addicted, now playing 4-5 times a week. His favorite NYC courts include LifeTime Penn1 and Hudson River Park, and he recently enjoyed playing in Paris, with aspirations to play in scenic international and domestic locations.

Sunny is thrilled to be the Phoenix Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador, eager to showcase the diverse pickleball communities in the area, from younger generations to the young at heart. Having started playing in November 2022, Sunny quickly fell in love with the sport and enjoys playing at various Phoenix-area courts including Scottsdale Community College and Proton HQ. As a Marketing Coordinator for a DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) in Scottsdale, Sunny is excited to be part of the program, valuing the athleticism and the wonderful people met through the social and healthy sport.

Matthew is honored to be the Seattle Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador, eager to share his passion and help grow the sport in the Pacific Northwest. Having played for two years, he enjoys staying active and connecting with others on local courts in the Kitsap County area, including Poulsbo, Shoreline, Olympia, and Bainbridge Island. As a student, Matthew balances his studies with pickleball and looks forward to spreading the love for the game.

Kelly is thrilled to be the Tampa Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador, driven by her love for the sport and the vibrant community it fosters. Having fallen in love with pickleball and the friendships it brings over the past few years, she now plays 3-4 times a week at favorite spots like Tampa Pickleball Crew and Dinkhouse. As a social butterfly, Kelly is excited to collaborate with local businesses to expand Tampa's pickleball scene and share the sport's competitive and stress-relieving benefits.

We are still on the hunt for our Atlanta Pickleball in the Sun Ambassador! Interested in being THE Atlanta community leader? Email us at info@pickleballinthesun.com.