Co Founder
Sarah Ansboury
Sarah founded GPA to give pickleball coaching the structure other sports have had for decades — real levels, real mentorship, and a path that doesn't stop at a workshop certificate.
Learn about Sarah(opens in a new tab)
Coaching, built into a system.
GPA exists because certification alone was never going to be enough. We're building the standards, mentorship, and community that coaching pickleball has been missing.
In plain language
What exactly is GPA
The Academy
GPA is a global coach-development network, not a single-course certification. Coaches advance through Levels 1–3, with specialized certifications at each stage. Membership supports ongoing growth via continuing education, mentorship, resources, and partner benefits.
Coaching Membership
Maintain your active GPA certification while gaining access to continuing education, updated coaching resources, professional connections, mentorship, and exclusive member benefits.
Player Membership
Coming SoonPlay more, improve your game, and enjoy the journey! Access expert education, player-development resources, and exclusive benefits—all designed to help you reach your next level.
Founders
Founded by coaches, built for coaches.
Co Founder
Kim Bastien
Kim Bastien is Founder & CEO of Empower Pickleball and Co-Founder of Global Pickleball Academy, with deep experience in partnerships, media, and brand strategy.
Partnerships
Built to work alongside federations, clubs, and schools.
Facilities & Clubs
Explore Club Track
Schools, Colleges & Universities
Explore Education Programs
Federations & Associations
Explore Federation TrackFAQ
Common questions.
What is Global Pickleball Academy?
Global Pickleball Academy (GPA) is a global coach-development network. It brings coaches, players and organizations together through a three-level coach certification, continuing education, mentorship and an annual membership — built around the full arc of a coaching career rather than a single workshop certificate.
Is GPA live yet?
GPA launches in September 2026. You can register interest in certification, membership, mentorship and our educator and ambassador programs today. A few features — coach development courses, the coach directory, liability insurance and player training — are marked "coming soon" because they genuinely aren't ready yet.
How is GPA different from a one-course certification?
GPA is designed around what happens after the initial certification workshop: three progressive levels, specialty education, continuing-education credits that keep your certification current, mentorship, and a pathway into educator and leadership roles.
How do I join GPA?
It depends on who you are:
- Coaches — complete the Coach Interest Form on the Coaches page.
- Players — join the waitlist on the Players page.
- Organizations — federations, clubs and schools can start the conversation through the Organizations page.
Do I need to be certified to join as a member?
No. Certification and membership are separate. Certification (Level 1 → 2 → 3) is the qualification; membership is the ongoing relationship — community, continuing education and member benefits. You can join either first.
Can my organization partner with GPA?
Yes. We work with three kinds of organization:
- Federations and associations — building national coach-education systems, training national and regional educators, and junior and player-development pathways.
- Facilities and clubs — staff education, a clear beginner-to-competitive player pathway, and consistent programming across coaches and locations.
- Schools, colleges and universities — program strategy and design, coach, player and student-leader development, and inclusive programming.
Start the conversation through the Organizations page.
Get in touch
Let's elevate the game.
Have a question about certification, membership, player development, partnerships, or GPA? We'd love to hear from you.