Safe Space Guide
- Focused on creating a friendly, considerate space free from emotional or physical harm
- Please ask for/ respect people’s pronouns and never assume someone’s identity. Misgendering someone, or questioning someone’s gender can be extremely painful for them
- Ask if someone would like advice before you offer it
- If you ever feel unsafe, please approach one of the QPC Council members or a member of the community centre staff
- We strive to keep our fees to an absolute minimum and if anyone is experiencing financial hardship, please get in touch so that we can remove financial barriers for you.
Why do we need to sign in?
Signing in helps acknowledge that QPC sessions are exclusively for Queer Women, Trans and Non-Binary individuals and outline an expected code of conduct. This process promotes mindfulness about limited spaces available. We also have a capacity of 10 people per court available to ensure players get optimal court time.
Are equipment rentals available for hire?
Despite being the fastest-growing sport in North America, Pickleball can be pricey. Enjoy complimentary access to equipment bags at each session that include spare paddles and balls.
How does the drop-in play work?
Each court rotation is for 10 minutes or a hard 9 points (whichever comes first). You can play a level up or down, but try to stick to your level when possible.
Line calls are made by the team whose side the ball lands on.
You can only put your name on the board once you are finished playing.
The call “Ball” (if a ball rolls off to another court) – stops play immediately, clear the ball and then restart the point.
The call “Court” (when a play finishes) – finish up your point, then move up to the next court. Please wait for people to finish the point before crossing (event behind).
Why do we use colour markers to denote levels?
Observing that beginners often felt intimidated by advanced players, the colours implemented a system ensuring beginners play with others of their level until they gain confidence. In our experience, we have found that when people are in a system where they play others of a similar level, it helps to foster a fun and positive environment.
Do I have to do the beginner coaching?
Pickleball is a surprisingly complex game and many of us learned the hard way by jumping in and hoping to be paired with someone open to teaching us. Some were luckier than others. So we thought we would build in a beginner coaching session that we wish we could have had in those early days. The coaching is very helpful in being able to enter the level system seamlessly, which is why it is mandatory unless you have learned how to play and score elsewhere. Since May 2023 over 100 queer women, trans and non-binary folk have learned how to play with QPC!