Women Coaching Pickleball—and Changing the Game
Pickleball may be exploding in popularity, but the soul of the sport still lives in the community builders: the people who teach others to play, show up week after week to run leagues and clinics, and help players grow on and off the court.
Three standout coaches—Erica Love, Sarah Saari, and Mindy Yoder— are doing just that. They’re not just growing the game; they’re redefining what leadership looks like in this space. Their journeys aren’t measured by medals or rankings. They’re powered by grit, creativity, compassion, and a deep belief in what pickleball can do for people.
Here’s a closer look at how each of them is using pickleball to create change, and what they’ve had to overcome to do it.
Erica Love
Cancer Survivor. Mother. Founder of Live Laugh Pickleball
Erica Love in Portugal with Pickleball Getaways
When Erica Love picked up a paddle, she wasn’t chasing competition—she was chasing recovery. A cancer survivor and mother of two, Erica discovered pickleball at a time when her body and spirit were still healing. For her, it became more than exercise. It became a way back to joy, resilience, health, and connection.
Today, she’s the heart behind Live Laugh Pickleball, a grassroots coaching and community effort built on the idea that joy belongs on every court. Whether she's coaching new players or hosting community events, Erica brings encouragement and light to every session she leads. Her sessions are just as much about building confidence as they are about technique.
Barriers Overcome:
Erica didn’t start from privilege, but from perseverance. She built her coaching career while recovering from cancer and raising a family, all without the typical roadmap or institutional support.
Why It Matters:
Erica’s story shows that pickleball coaching isn’t just for athletes. It’s for survivors, parents, and anyone rebuilding their life. She’s living proof that showing up with compassion and authenticity is just as powerful as any credential.
Sarah Saari
Founder of Viking Pickleball. League Creator. Community Organizer.
Sarah Saari didn’t find pickleball through a club or a clinic. She found it when she needed something to keep her grounded and connected. That spark grew into Viking Pickleball, a community brand and coaching platform she built from the ground up.
Sarah Saari at one of her Viking Pickleball events
Through Viking, Sarah has created vibrant, structured programming for players of all levels—from beginners who need guidance to experienced players looking for competitive match play. She’s known for running round robins, clinics, and challenge ladders that are organized, welcoming, and especially empowering for women who often feel sidelined in local rec scenes.
Barriers Overcome:
Sarah stepped into a fragmented and often intimidating local pickleball environment. She experienced burnout and frustration. Instead of walking away, she created a solution: a structured, welcoming program designed around what players actually needed. She also faced the usual skepticism that comes with being a woman building a brand in a male-dominated space.
Why It Matters:
Sarah didn’t wait for a seat at the table—she made her own. Viking is now a lifeline for dozens of players looking for connection and growth. Her story is a playbook for building community from the ground up.
Mindy Yoder
Coach at Pickle & Poker. Destination Camp Leader. Experience Architect.
Mindy Yoder playing pickleball
Mindy Yoder doesn’t coach the usual way. Based in Oxford, Florida, she works out of the unique Pickle & Poker facility and also leads destination pickleball camps that blend travel, training and connection.
Her sessions aren’t just about footwork or drills. Mindy creates full-on experiences—on-court moments that help players push past fear, try new things, and feel seen. From first-time dinks to full retreats, her programs are built on warmth, intention, and the belief that everyone belongs the moment they walk onto the court.
Barriers Overcome:
Mindy came into coaching later in life, and outside of the “typical” background. She wasn’t a pro or a tennis convert. She had to challenge the idea that coaching only belongs to a certain mold—and instead built her own, rooted in care, community, and creativity.
Why It Matters:
Mindy shows that there’s no one way to lead in this sport. The value of what she brings can’t be measured in rankings or ratings—it’s in the way players feel after they leave her court: confident, capable, and connected.
Bigger Than the Court: Why These Stories Matter
Pickleball doesn’t just need more courts. It needs more people like Erica, Sarah, and Mindy.
People who coach with heart.
Who listen.
Who lift others up.
Who aren’t afraid to do things differently.
These women are expanding what’s possible in pickleball—especially for those who don’t always feel seen. They prove that coaching isn’t just for pros or insiders. It’s for anyone who wants to lead with purpose and build something meaningful, one player at a time.
