The meeting has been called to advise Derby U3A Pickleball players of some of the current challenges facing us (Group Organisers and players), proposals to address them and therefore to obtain players' views concerning them. The Organisers have been asked to to this by the Derby U3A committee. No final decisions on proposals will be made until as many players as possible have also been informed (i.e. those not present at the meeting). Agenda and links to supplementary information are below:
Please note: For a number of reasons, the Organisers intend the meeting to be limited to one hour - finishing by 2pm, so please keep views and comments brief and if you have any references to source material (i.e. website information) be prepared to provide them to the meeting.
PICKLEBALL PLAYERS’ MEETING – 1 pm, 13 March AGENDA
- To fund block booking of courts:
(a) Proposed increase of session fee (subs) to £3
(b) Views: requirement to pay session fee following late cancellation (You vote, you pay)
(c) Suggestions: how to gauge numbers for the following week’s session to allow booking/cancellation of the right number of courts. - Does the current WhatsApp booking (Polls) and communication work?
(a) How long should we wait before removing a player’s name from a group if they have not notified us of temporary absence? Should there be a limit to the period of temporary absence?
(b) How could it be improved? - How best to organise our Monday, Wednesday and Friday sessions so the majority get “a good game”
Consider:
-One member’s feedback: “I don’t think you can join U3A and expect elite sport”?
-Derby U3A’s commitment to inclusivity and participation - Would you volunteer to oversee an hour long session – or organise a new group?
- Update on DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating)
- Any other notified business. Is there something burning you want to say? Tell Colin Avison in advance so we have time to raise it.
Supplementary information:
Block Bookings
Current Monday and Wednesday Sessions: Booked online or in person (NOT block booked) at £8.40 per court per hour. Over 65's discount rate. Standard rate is £14.05 per court per hour.
Factors: Can only be booked up to 7 days in advance. Must be cancelled the day before if court not needed, to receive a 'credit' for booking fee. Gives flexibility but no guarantee that courts required can always be booked (due to competition from other users).
Example: Monday 11 am session: 4 courts cost: £33.60. 20 players maximum (to avoid lengthy 'sit outs') subs collected at £2 each: £40. This gives a £6.40 surplus, but that is reduced if there are late player 'no shows'.
Current Friday Sessions: Blocked booked by Derby U3A from 3rd October 2025 to 27th March 2026 at £10.90 per court per hour. Standard block booking rate is currently £14.20 per court per hour from 1st April. U3A Derby would pay £11.40 from 1st April 2026 (discounted).
Factors: Three month contract, paid monthly up front by Derby U3A. Any court cancellations must be made 1 week in advance to be given credit for unused bookings. More expensive and not as flexible as in person bookings but has guaranteed us courts required.
Example: Friday 11 am session current 3 courts cost: £32.70. 16 players maximum subs collected at £2 each: £32.00. 70p deficit. Cost from April 2026: 3 courts £34.20. Potential £2.40 deficit per session with £2 per player sub, more if there are player 'no shows'.
WhatsApp Polls - Discussion
Are you happy with the current WhatsApp polls system? If not, why not? Do you have any practical suggestions for an alternative?
'A Good Game' - Discussion
Players should be reminded of the National U3A ethos:
"Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging to a u3a."
"Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3a can do so."
Volunteering - Discussion
Are you prepared to assist with the running of U3A Derby pickleball sessions, inductions of new players and tournaments?
DUPR
Colin will explain what DUPR is and answer questions on it.
AOB