Evelyn Wiltshire
This winter, eight teams from the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) proudly represented our community in the Southern Region of the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL), competing against teams from Tucson, Oro Valley, Udall Park, The Ranch, and Quail Creek.
Founded in 2012, APPL was established to provide adult players with a structured, team-based, competitive pickleball experience. Since then, the league has grown considerably and now encompasses multiple regions from Tucson and Casa Grande to the East and West Valleys of Phoenix, even reaching the White Mountains. League play continues during the summer months in Show Low, Pinetop, and Lakeside.
APPL operates as a nonprofit organization led by dedicated volunteers. Teams typically consist of 10 to 12 members, with six competing in each match against opponents with similar skill levels. Depending on the number of teams in a region, each team generally plays 8 to 12 matches during the season.
In 2023 SPA entered two teams in the league, the Flying Burrito Brothers (Men’s 65+, 3.5) and the SaddleBrooke Picklers (Women’s 55+, 3.0). The women’s team made it to the state championships that year! Since then, our participation in the APPL has grown, allowing our members to keep sharpening their skills by engaging with players beyond our local courts. Like the league itself, our involvement is made possible thanks to the dedication of volunteers, especially our team captains and co-captains. These leaders are instrumental in selecting players, organizing practices, arranging extra drills and coaching, and coordinating team matchups. It truly takes a village!
APPL’s winter session ran from January through March this year, with over 90 teams participating statewide. Of these, 24 qualified for the state championships held in Pueblo El Mirage at the end of March.
The following teams represented SaddleBrooke:
• Rally Cats, 3.0 Women’s Doubles 65+
• SaddleBrooke Stars, 3.5 Women’s Doubles 50+
• Dill Me In, 3.5 Women’s Doubles 65+
• Soft Serve, 4.0 Women’s Doubles 65+
• Tire Biters, 3.0 Men’s Doubles 65+
• Flying Burrito Brothers, 3.5 Men’s Doubles 65+
• Double Trouble, 3.0 Mixed Doubles 65+
• Bad Appl’s, 3.5 Mixed Doubles 65+
While none of our teams advanced to the finals this year, our players competed with determination and sportsmanship throughout the season, strengthening SaddleBrooke’s reputation as a strong and respected presence in the Arizona pickleball community!