Everything Ratings

What is a Rating?

  • Player ratings are used to group players by ability levels so that members can play in organized events with other players of similar ability

  • Simply put, it makes it more fun for everyone, whether you are a beginner or advanced player, a recreational or competitive player.

  • A rating makes it easier to pair players of similar skill levels, so games aren’t lopsided which leads to more rallies, better gameplay and a far more enjoyable experience for everyone.

  • A rating is required to play in club rated events which will give you more playing options.

  • You do not need a rating for most Open and Rec play or Cohort play events.

How do I get a Rating?

I’m a BEGINNER Member:

  • Our onboarding team will reach out to you to complete an optional two-hour FREE Introduction to Pickleball Lesson.  After completing the lesson, you will be assigned at minimum, a 2.0 Skill Rating and be eligible to play in all 2.0 events.

I’m a NEW member with a rating. I’d like to be placed into the group that best suits my rating

I’m a Member seeking a higher rating level

View our Club Rating Policy to learn about the required criteria and documentation to substantiate your rating.

Where is my Skill Rating Valid?

  • Your Skills Rating is valid only with the Cochrane Pickleball Club. A Skills rating is required to play in Skills Rated events like Round Robins, MLP Leagues, Skills and Strategies etc.

  • There are many options to play without having a rating – in events like Open Play, Cohort Play or Rec

More about Ratings

    • A rating gives players a benchmark to track progress

    • Ensures you are participating in the Skills and Strategies Player Development program to suit your skill level and continued skills progression.

    • Most tournaments require a rating to place competitors into the correct division (e.g., 3.0, 3.5, 4.0). This ensures fair competition and helps organizers seed brackets properly.

  • Clubs and local leagues often use ratings to:

    • Form balanced teams.

    • Maintain competitive balance which makes it more fun for all.

    • The Cochrane Pickleball Club uses a numeric value from 2.0 to 4.5 that classifies the skills and abilities at each of the ratings levels.

    • Ratings are held on record in Court Reserve which is the Club’s online booking management system as well as in the Pickleball Canada Network System

    • Members who had a previous Skill Rating with the Club will be able to carry it over from the previous season.

    • In 2026, the Club will provide ratings sessions that are bookable online for a small fee for members who wish to earn or challenge their current rating.

    • Raters who are trained to evaluate both skills and game play will run a two-part ratings assessment.

    • The first segment of the assessment involves evaluating select skills that are performed in a “drilling” type of environment

    • The second segment is measured during a game where the candidates is required to showcase skills in a performance environment.

  • The Club will be following the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association Rating model with a few slight modifications. This system is being used with great success in helping to identify plyers skills and place them accurately into a level that is conducive to both Club and Tournament Play.

Members

  1. Investment cost $30.00 plus 2.4% for the 2 hour session

  2. Book and pay through Court Reserve

  3. First time ratings will be prompted to set up a member payment profile

  4. Add your credit card data into the encrypted system (powered by STRIPE). A convenience fee of 2.4% will be added to the transaction total.

  5. Search “Ratings for Aspiring (3.0, 3.5 0r 4.0)” to find all the available dates and times

  6. All the information you require is provided in the Event Description

  7. Please read the club rating description before you sign up as pre-payment is required to guarantee your spot and is non-refundable except in the case of low registration and inclement weather. 

  8. There is a waitlist option if the event is full.

  9. Registration cut-offs are 4 days in advance.   

How to book your rating

Club Rating Skill level Assessments

Book in Court Reserve

Questions? Contact the Ratings Committee


Ken Little ratingscpc@gmail.com
Brenda Boyd