The competition will be held in doubles format only. Males, Females and Mixed.
The SPIRIT competition format is for preliminary "Round Robins" in each division. Round robin game winners will be determined by first to 11 and win by 2. At the end of the round robin matches the third seed will automatically get the Bronze Medal. The Top 2 seeds will then play for Gold and Silver Medals by winning 2 out of 3 games with each game first to 11 and win by 2. Referees will be scheduled for all gold medal matches.
Registration for The SPIRIT is $50.00 which includes 1 event, with an additional fee of $10 for each additional event entered up to a maximum of 4 different events.
Registrations will close on Sunday 7th January at 11.55pm or earlier if events limits are reached.
There are TWO AGE DIVISIONS based on the sum of the ages for each team competing as at 31st December 2024. Within each age division there are THREE SKILLS DIVISIONS. (The Tournament Director may modify event team limits, divisions and formats as needed depending on registrations received either before or after the close of registrations.)
AGE DIVISIONS
Division 1 is 105 years to 129 years (combined age of team members)
For example a team could comprise of a 53yo and a 52yo = combined age of105yrs or two 64yo = 128yrs or any other combination of ages that fit within the division limits. Again for example a 45yo could partner a 60yo = 105yrs, equally a 70yo with a 35yo = 105yrs would also qualify.
Division 2 is 130 years plus (combined age of team members)
For example a team could comprise of two 65yo = 130yrs or any other combination of ages that fits this criteria. Again for example a 55yo could partner a 75yo = 130yrs, equally a 70yo with a 61yo = 131yrs would also qualify. Two 80+yo competing would be most welcome in The SPIRIT of pickleball.
TEAM SKILLS DIVISIONS
Division A - 2.50 and Under
Division B - Over 2.5 and Under 3.25
Division C - 3.25 and Over
Pickleball Brackets database holds 3 skills ratings for players who have previously entered tournaments and The SPIRIT will be using the Player Doubles Ratings Only (separate ratings for same sex and mixed);
The Tournament entry software allocates the rating for individual player entries in the following priority,
1) Pickleball Australia Rating
2) Pickleball Brackets Statistics Rating
3) Self Rating (see PANSW Link play/self rating guide)
THE TEAM SKILLS DIVISION WILL BE BASED ON THE AVERAGE OF EACH TEAM MEMBERS INDIVIDUAL PICKLEBALL BRACKETS DOUBLES RATING PLUS THE CAVEAT THAT THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EACH TEAM MEMBERS INDIVIDUAL DOUBLES RATING CANNOT BE GREATER THAN 0.5 for Divisions A & B. Divison C is excluded from the 0.5 caveat.
Examples:
Team Member X rated 2.7 with Team Member Y rated 3.1 - Average of 2.90 would be eligible to play in the 2.5 to 3.25 skills division
Team Member P rated 2.2 with Team Member Q rated 3.7 - Average of 2.95 would be ineligible to play in the 2.5 to 3.25 skills division because the difference in the team members individual rating is greater than 0.5. In this case the Tournament Director suggests each player finds alternate partners to participate at an appropriate level.
Overall the combinations of AGE and SKILLS divisons facilitates 18 events and in the case of individual players the possibility of playing a maximum of four different events with four different partners depending on the combination of ages and skills.
If not registering at the same time as your partner you have 4 days for them to confirm the team registration before you are placed on the Wait List.
If you do not have a partner, you can book under "Players Needing a Partner" to find a partner.
If you have any questions click on "Contact Tourney" and they will be answered into your email.
Please note the Tournament Director has the right at their discretion to amend events and elligibility criteria to manage player / team entry numbers and to provide appropriate competition opportunity and flexibility to cater for individual event demand.
