Pickleballers Next Door

Episode 71 Denver Iconics Open Pickleball Tournament Recap - Jen Hamman, Mario Bosch (Denver Iconics Owners) & Former NFL Players Lamarcus Caradine and Jaret Smith

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/fan_mail/new] On this episode of Pickleballers Next Door, we take you inside the exciting Denver Iconics Open pickleball tournament with special guests Jen Hamman and Mario Bosch owners of the Denver Iconics. We break down how the Denver Iconics Open is one of the smoothest-run pickleball tournaments in Colorado and talk about the incredible job Jen Hamman did directing her very first tournament. From player experience and tournament organization to the energy surrounding the Denver Iconics community, this episode gives pickleball fans a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to host a successful competitive event. How Patty Gallegos was the one running it from behind the scenes.  We also chat with Denver Iconics social media manager Andrew about building excitement around pickleball events, growing the sport online, and connecting with the Colorado pickleball community. Former NFL football players Lamarcus Caradine and Jaret Smith join us to talk about competing together at the Denver Iconics Open, transitioning from football to pickleball, and how quickly teamwork and athleticism translate onto the pickleball court. These guys brought competitiveness, chemistry, and great personalities to the tournament. If you love pickleball tournaments, Colorado pickleball events, pro-level competition, athlete crossover stories, and growing pickleball communities, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 🎾 Topics Covered: * Denver Iconics Open tournament recap * Pickleball tournament organization tips * Colorado pickleball growth * Former NFL players playing pickleball * Social media and pickleball marketing * Behind-the-scenes tournament operations * Building a successful pickleball community https://pickleballersnextdoor.com/ [https://pickleballersnextdoor.com/] https://www.denvericonics.com/ [https://www.denvericonics.com/] https://proalignsportschiropractic.com/ [https://proalignsportschiropractic.com/] https://www.instagram.com/iam_doctorc13/ [https://www.instagram.com/iam_doctorc13/] https://www.instagram.com/jeret_smith/ [https://www.instagram.com/jeret_smith/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/support] Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.  Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:  IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

Episode 70 Michael Zervas - Inside the Newest Pickleball Destination, Fort Collins

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/fan_mail/new] Join Pickleballers Next Door as we talk with Michael Zervas, one of the owners of zero zero Two, the newest pickleball facility in Ft, Collins, Colorado. How Michael and Neil Bellefeuille both serial entrepreneurs had the vision behind zero zero two, and how the massive new 36,000-square-foot pickleball facility is changing the game in Fort Collins, Colorado. Located in southeast Fort Collins near Harmony and Timberline, zero zero two features 11 indoor courts, 6 outdoor courts, a full pro shop, food and beverage options, tournament play, and a player-first experience designed from the ground up. Michael shares how they traveled across the country visiting pickleball clubs, listening to players, and studying what people loved, and what they felt was missing to create a next-generation pickleball club unlike any other. We also dive into the club’s unique design features, including the beautiful vine walls that help with sound reduction while creating an elevated atmosphere and community feel throughout the facility. Plus, we spotlight the upcoming PPA Challenger Series coming to zero zero two on May 29th, 30th, and 31st. Learn how the Challenger Series connects players to the rapidly growing Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), pathway and why this event is a huge opportunity for competitive pickleball in Colorado and beyond. If you’re passionate about pickleball growth, club innovation, tournaments, entrepreneurship, or the future of the sport, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. https://www.zerozerotwo.pro/ [https://www.zerozerotwo.pro/] https://ppatour.com/tournament/2026/2026-fort-collins-co/ [https://ppatour.com/tournament/2026/2026-fort-collins-co/] The Fracas in Fort Collins: May 29th to 31st, 2026 The Professional Pickleball Association is proud to bring the inaugural season of the PPA Tour Challenger Series Powered by JOOLA to Fort Collins, Colorado for The Fracas in Fort Collins. The tournament will be held at the Zero Zero Two pickleball facility in Fort Collins, CO, and will provide a showcase of the very best players in the region competing for prize and the chance to win a PPA contract. Come join us to watch professional pickleball in action right here in Fort Collins. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/support] Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.  Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:  IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

Episode 69 🎙️ Pickleballers Next Door - Adaptive Pickleball Fundraiser at Thornton Picklr + Colorado Pickleball Community Updates

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/fan_mail/new] In Episode 69 of Pickleballers Next Door, Mike and Christana bring you another fun and community-driven episode focused on the incredible people helping grow pickleball across Colorado! 🏓 This week, we welcome special guest Dawn Cerrone from Rocky Mtn Pikl to talk about the exciting fundraising event that happened at The Picklr Thornton benefiting Kids Adaptive Pickleball Play. Dawn shares how the pickleball community is coming together to support adaptive athletes, create more opportunities for kids, and make the sport more inclusive for everyone. Mike and Christana also briefly touch on the excitement surrounding ZeroZeroTwo.Pro, the new pickleball club in Fort Collins, and preview an upcoming full episode where they’ll sit down with the team behind the club for a deeper conversation. They also talk about the Denver Iconics draft, and how more details are to come.  This episode is all about community, inclusion, giving back, and the continued growth of pickleball throughout Colorado. 🎧 In this episode: * Adaptive pickleball initiatives * Kids Adaptive Pickleball Play fundraiser * Thornton Picklr community event * Rocky Mtn Pikl updates * Colorado pickleball news * Brief preview of ZeroZeroTwo.Pro in Fort Collins * Growing pickleball through community and inclusion If you love hearing positive stories from the pickleball world and want to stay connected to what’s happening in Colorado pickleball, this episode is for you! https://www.rockymountainpikl.com/ [https://www.rockymountainpikl.com/] https://www.zerozerotwo.pro/ [https://www.zerozerotwo.pro/] https://www.denvericonics.com/ [https://www.denvericonics.com/] https://pickleballersnextdoor.com/ [https://pickleballersnextdoor.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/support] Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit  https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.  Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:  IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/support] Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.  Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:  IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

Episode 68 Pickleball is More than a Game - It's a Gamechanger Pickleball for Good Fund Visits East and South Africa

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/fan_mail/new] “From local courts to global impact—this is how pickleball is changing lives across continents.” 🎙️Pickleball is no longer just America’s fastest-growing sport—it’s becoming a global movement for connection, community, and impact. In this inspiring follow-up episode of Pickleballers Next Door, we sit down to chat about lessons learned during Susan Swern's 3-week pickleball envoy mission to Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa in February 2026. Working alongside leaders like Ruth Rosenquist (Global Pickleball Federation), Collins Munene (Confederation of African Pickleball), GPF member country federation teams, and Memel.Global,  Pickleball for Good Fund is part of a powerful movement bringing the benefits of the sport to under-championed communities across the globe. By delivering equipment, sharing knowledge, visiting government officials and school administrators - and witnessing the joy of students and adults - this trip was definitely her pickleball adventure of a lifetime.  Through organizations like Pickleball for Good and Operation Paddle Lift, Susan delivers equipment, creates access, and builds lasting opportunities for people who may have never had exposure to the sport. 🌍 In this episode, we cover: * How pickleball is rapidly expanding internationally * What it takes to introduce the sport in developing regions * The impact of bringing paddles, nets, and knowledge * Why pickleball is uniquely positioned to build community worldwide * The people behind the movement making it all happen This is more than a sport—it’s a mission. If you’ve ever wondered how pickleball can make a difference beyond the court, this episode will open your eyes to the global power of play. https://pickleballforgood.org/ [https://pickleballforgood.org/] https://globalpickleballfederation.org/operation-paddlelift/ [https://globalpickleballfederation.org/operation-paddlelift/] https://pickleballersnextdoor.com/ [https://pickleballersnextdoor.com/] https://oncourtnetworking.com/3rd-shot-englewood-page [https://oncourtnetworking.com/3rd-shot-englewood-page] 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Pickleballers Next Door for more behind-the-scenes access to the fastest-growing sport in America! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/support] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/support] Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.  Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:  IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

Episode 67 - Pro Pickleball Pay Explosion, Anna Leigh Waters Dominance & DUPR Reset - Denver Iconics, Denver Pickleball Club & Eye Injury Tal

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/fan_mail/new] 🎙️Mike and Christana are back with a high-energy catch-up episode diving into everything happening in the world of pickleball right now. From the massive rise in pro player payouts to the continued dominance of world #1 Anna Leigh Waters, the sport is evolving faster than ever.   You can’t talk pickleball without mentioning Kyle Yates—a seasoned pro who’s been competing at the highest level and helping shape the sport for years  They break down what these increasing earnings mean for the future of professional pickleball and how it’s attracting more elite athletes to the game. Locally, they preview upcoming tournaments and buzz surrounding the Denver Iconics and upcoming tournaments ran by Denver Pickleball Club, Deven Gould, highlighting why Colorado continues to be a hotspot for the sport. The episode also touches on an important (and often overlooked) topic: eye injuries in pickleball, especially among older players. Why is this happening, and what should players be doing to protect themselves? Plus, they dive into the controversial DUPR reset-what it is, why there’s a limited window to act, and how it could impact your rating moving forward. Whether you’re a casual player or deep into the competitive scene, this episode keeps you informed, entertained, and ahead of the curve in the ever-changing world of pickleball. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow Pickleballers Next Door for more behind-the-scenes access to the fastest-growing sport in America! www.asweetsip.com www.denvericonics.com www.holeyperformance.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2433153/support] Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information.  Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at:  IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor