A Message from the Commissioner

Hello APPL Players!

Our regular season has come to an end and most flights with sub-flights have completed their regional playoff matches with only a couple remaining as I write this note.  Most of the teams headed for our 2024 APPL State Championships have been identified. Everyone is welcome to come and watch some of Arizona’s top pickleball players compete for the state title on April 5-7 at the beautiful Pueblo El Mirage courts in El Mirage, AZ.  Their court layout provides for excellent viewing of all the matches.

As we reach the end of another season, I want to express my appreciation for your enthusiasm, commitment, and sportsmanship regarding our sport and APPL. Each one of you has contributed to the integrity and respect that our league has earned, and I am most grateful for your role in making it an enjoyable and competitive platform for pickleball enthusiasts across our state.

There is one team that stands out and deserves additional recognition. That team is our team of 35 volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure our league delivers the outstanding team-based pickleball experience you signed up for. You probably have met many of them on the courts playing alongside you or across the net from you.  The next time you see them or correspond with them, I hope you’ll take a moment to thank them.  Without these extraordinary people, there would be no APPL. 

In closing, I want to congratulate everyone on another record-breaking season.  When we wrap everything up after the State Championships, we will have played over 35,000 games of APPL pickleball.  That is incredible, and so are you!

Greg Mather

Get Ready for State Championships April 5-7

The APPL State Championships will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 5-7, from 8am – 5pm. They will be held at the Pueblo El Mirage Courts in El Mirage, AZ. It’s a beautiful venue with plenty of space for spectators, so plan to come and watch the top teams in the State battle it out for the championship title. There is no cost to attend or for parking.  There will also be a food truck on the premises. We hope to see you there!

The specific division dates are as follows: 

  • April 5th: Mixed 50+, Mixed 65+
  • April 6th: Women 50+, Men 50+
  • April 7th: Women 18+, Men 18+, Women 65+, Men 65+

A Reminder for Regional Champions

Congratulations to our regional champs! Captains, your team will be awarded a plaque for being a regional winner. Remember to bring a 4 x 6 team photo to put on the Regional Winner plaque you will receive at the State Championships.  Your players will each receive a Regional Champion bag tag which will also be given to you when you pick up your team plaque. Congrats again on your winning season! 

Photo Contest Winners

Thank you to all teams who entered our photo contest this past season. The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived – the results are in, and we are thrilled to announce the winner of our Pickleball Photo Contest.

Ladies with a Dinking Problem, East Valley Region Women 2.5 50+ submitted this photo “GOT IT!” and claimed the top prize for both player focus and exhibition of some graceful ballet moves!

Some Honorable Mentions are:

“Eyes on the Ball” from Dinking Dollies, East Valley Region Women 2.5 50+

“All In!” from Dinking Dollies, East Valley Region Women 2.5 50+

APPL Bringing New Players Together

APPL invited 2.5 East Valley pickleball players to meet at Pickleball Kingdom for a spirited day of pickleball recently. The event kicked off with some stroke development followed by Live Ball rotations. There was fun competition ending with a crowning of Prince and Princess of the Kingdom. As the event drew to a close, the players expressed their desire to continue playing together, fostering friendships and forming teams for the upcoming season. Thank you to all who participated and organized this outstanding activity.