Toronto, July 25, 2024 — The Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA) is thrilled to announce a long term strategic partnership with UTR Sports to adopt the UTR Pickleball Rating (UTR-P) and UTR Sports’ event management software for tournaments, including the PFA's regional COPA LATAM TOURNAMENT scheduled for September 13-15, 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil. This groundbreaking collaboration will elevate the experiences for players and tournament organizers and provide more accurate player ratings/rankings across the Americas.
The PFA represents sixteen (16) member countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Venezuela. The adoption of the UTR Sports platform marks a significant milestone for these nations, offering them full access to world-class event and tournament management software and the most sophisticated, accurate, standardized player rating and ranking system.
Gary Schwartz, Chair and CEO of the PFA, commented on the partnership, stating, "This partnership is focused on the emerging regions of the Americas. We strongly believe that the UTR Sports platform will revolutionize the way we run services and expand the game regionally. UTR is the gold standard for tennis and with its significant investment, expertise, comprehensive platform, and APP (Association of Pickleball Players) and USA Pickleball strategic partnerships (read more here), it is clear the UTR-P, software platform, and team is already the best technology and solution provider in the market poised to become the de facto standard in pickleball. This platform will completely change the landscape for the PFA and make us a powerful and impactful organization."
“Our partnership with the PFA highlights our long term commitment to the growth of all stakeholders in pickleball globally.” said Mark Leschly, CEO and Chairman, UTR Sports. “We are excited to provide our market leading solutions to the PFA and a growing number of Federations across the globe so they can continue to support and grow their local, regional and national pickleball communities.
As part of this partnership, the PFA will officially recognize the UTR Sports platform as its standard for tournament management and player ratings and rankings. UTR will provide their advanced software and services, enabling member countries to efficiently run local, regional and national tournaments and rank players regionally, nationally, and internationally. This collaboration will enhance the recreational and competitive landscape and foster the growth of pickleball throughout the region.To learn more about how UTR Sports is best positioned to support the growth of pickleball, click here.
For more information on the PFA COPA TOURNAMENT, please click here.
For further details about UTR Sports and the innovative platform, please click here.
About Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA)
The Pickleball Federation of the Americas (PFA) is dedicated to promoting and developing the sport of pickleball across the Americas. With a focus on fostering growth and providing support to member countries, the PFA aims to enhance the competitive landscape and bring the joy of pickleball to players of all levels.
About UTR Sports
The mission of UTR Sports is to connect and grow the sports of tennis and pickleball with accurate global ratings, innovative events, and a global community centered around level-based play. The UTR Sports Platform is anchored by our patented ratings technology. UTR Sports provides the technology tools and solutions relevant and valuable to players, coaches, and organizers. UTR Sports is creating opportunities and pathways, including the UTR Pro Tennis Tour, for players from all over the world, in all stages of life, to find better matches and unlock a more fun, affordable, and flexible experience.
Contact
Gary Schwartz
Chair and CEO, Pickleball Federation of the Americas
Phone: 416-505-7410
Ben Makarenko
VP, Marketing
UTR Sports
ben.makarenko@utrsports.com