In this episode 41 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with Sarah Ansboury—one of the earliest professional pickleball players, a current PPA Tour competitor, and the Vice President of the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), the world’s largest coach registry.
Sarah breaks down what’s coming in 2026 for PPR and global pickleball growth, why the sport can’t lose sight of grassroots development, and what it really takes to build sustainable pathways for players—especially kids and juniors. They dive into the realities of youth competition, parent/coach dynamics, sportsmanship, and why great coaching goes far beyond mechanics.
Coach Tommy also shares his vision for youth pickleball in Charleston and why a team-based model can change the entire experience for young athletes.
00:00 Introduction to Sarah Ansboury and Pickleball Coaching
01:00 The Growth of Pickleball and PPR's Role
04:00 International Expansion and Youth Development
06:45 The Importance of Youth in Pickleball
12:02 Coaching Youth: Challenges and Strategies
19:59 The Role of Parents and Coaches in Youth Sports
21:57 The Evolution of Pickleball
24:34 Pathways to Growth in Pickleball
27:41 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation
30:54 Coaching Ethics and Influence
36:14 The Role of Coaches in Player Development
Follow Sarah:
Website: https://sarahansbourypickleballacademy.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sarahansbourypickleball
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarahansboury
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IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic
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