We have launched and carried out our TEAM STRATEGY CLINICS this season to great accolades. Tactics is such an important part of the Pickleball puzzle and we are thrilled that we’re now rolling out Steve’s mindset when competing on the PPA Tour.
WE’VE HIRED A PICKLEBALL DIRECTOR !!!!!
Steve Deakin Pickleball (SDP) Appoints Neil Parker as Director of Pickleball
Vancouver, BC, April 17, 2024 – Steve Deakin Pickleball (“SDP”) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Neil Parker as the newest member of its team and the Director of Pickleball for the SDP brand.
Parker brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role. He has been actively involved in the pickleball community, demonstrating a deep commitment to the sport’s growth and development. As a certified pickleball instructor and tournament player, Parker is well-positioned to lead SDP operations and contribute to its expansion.
Prior to joining SDP, Parker was a head pro and tennis director at clubs across Canada, and has certified hundreds of coaches as a Tennis Canada course facilitator. He also produced instructional videos for both Tennis Canada and the USTA. More recently, Parker worked for a global consulting firm in marketing and an IPO company in New York.
“I‘m honoured to join the SDP team and take on the responsibility of leading pickleball programming for Steve, one of the world’s top contracted players on the PPA tour. I’m a pickleball junkie who is committed to the values of respect and excellence, both of which align to Steve’s brand. I look forward to offering unique experiences through our clinics and events.”
For any upcoming clinics, questions or event planning you can reach Neil @ neil@stevedeakinpickleball.com
It’s been a rocky start back with slow growth in Steve’s game. Although he hit the podium in Texas, he struggled to find strong partners and get himself back in the game at other events. He managed to get drafted for the MLP Challenger series which will hold 3 events before a redraft happens. This is good and Steve is hopeful to make a splash in the team event. His team is the Texas Ranchers owned by Tim Klitch, Dan Ferreri, Bryan Sheffield, Kit Sheffield and Richard Veitenheimer. Team members consist of Steve Deakin, Pat Smith, Lee Whitwell and Genie Erokhina.
A new partnership for 2023 is also exciting. He and Travis Rettenmaier have committed to playing the season together. Travis is an American living in Florida, aged 39 years, former tennis player with a former doubles ranking of #57 in the world. Travis knows how to win…so does Steve. These two grinders are very promising together with much to prove to the power set of youngsters that have bled into the sport over the last two years. Both prefer a smart and consistent partnership that can be honed to improve with each event.
Year end Bubly PPA team event was a blast. Steve played on John Isner’s team along with Ben Johns, AJ Koller, Lindsay Newman, Jesse Irvine and Lea Janzen. The team came second overall losing to Team Querry which had Riley Newman on fire. Lot’s of fun and lot’s of poker…shshshshsh
Well Texas was exciting for Steve Deakin. His first time partnership with James Ignatowich turned out to exceed expectations and although they lost the second round to Wilson/Koller which knocked them into the back draw….they were able to move forward playing 8 matches that day to fight back to a Bronze medal, which included their win over Wilson/Koller in a second meeting in the consolation bracket.
Hitting a Podium on his third tournament back was an exceptional achievement and the PPA referred to him as the ” Comeback Kid “.
His mixed results were not as successful with his other first time pairing, Sarah Burr from Australia. Sarah is a top player back in Oz that wanted to dive into the American tour and see how she did. We all know how tough it is for a newcomer to find partnerships before they have a resume so we know Sarah had a tough time securing these partnerships this early in her budding career. We wish her the best of luck moving forward on this side of the pond.
Steve is looking forward to getting back to work with his full time mixed partner and newly PPA signed athlete, Brooke Buckner. They have had some early success and gel well together.
Next up…Orlando !
Ok it’s been a calm start to the return with the first two tournies back going 3 & 2. Next up is Texas and I’m excited to play Mens with James Ignatowich for the first time. Young legs, fast hands, heavy drive. Another first with Sarah Burr from Australia who is here this year for her debut into American Pickleball. Hoping to do a little better each time as my wrist feels good and getting stronger each tournament.
VEGAS LINE UP !!
Extremely excited to get to what I do. Playing competitively on Tour. In Vegas I’m teaming up with Spencer Smith in Men’s and Brooke Buckner in Mixed. Hoping to make a decent run while getting used to the hard pace of the Pro’s once again.
Tune in to PPA TV. Search PPA Tour on Youtube and Tennis Channel October 6-9 to watch some great matches !!
