meet the pros
It is the philosophy of Pickles and Play to bring professional trainers to the region that are first and foremost high integrity people off the court as pickleball is about the people and community. Of course, on the court our coaching team is industry leading. We have compiled one of the most high-caliber teams who will offer their services on a regular basis while others will strictly be available for exclusive opportunities for the Pickles and Play community. A wide geographic representation enables our program to bring the premier leaders in the industry. We share a vision and collaboration to make your experience elite. We are confident they will serve you on the court for your pickleball goals, and off the court because they are genuine and impactful.
Most of the Professionals have extensive racquet experience in addition to pickleball and are credited with substantial tournament experience. Additionally, as certified coaches they are able to instruct with an array of perspectives to enhance your development.
TOP-LEVEL TRAINERS
- Our trainers are Nationally top Ranked in the sport.
- All Trainers have Certifications from the IPTPA, PPR and/or other accreditationÂ
- We hired a variety of Professionals to take you to the next level
- During clinics we keep mostly a 1:8 player maximum ratio with similar skill players
Lane Ethridge
Lane is the founder of Lane Ethridge Pickleball and co-founder and the CEO of Pickles and Play. He has served as the Director and lead pro instructor at Northridge Country Club, Director of Lifetime Raleigh for 16 months taking it to the top 10 in the country, has served as the President of the Wake Forest Pickleball Association and acted as the lead pro instructor for the inaugural Carpe Dink’Em international pickleball vacations in the Dominican Republic. His excitement and enthusiasm for training and building the pickleball community is contagious!
IPTPA Certified Coach
Chapel Hill Local Professional Trainer
Nathan Evans
My name is Nathan Evans and I am the teaching pro at our Chapel Hill location. Welcome to our club! I look forward to meeting you. A little about me – I love the sport of pickleball and truly enjoy teaching the game to players of all levels. My role includes conducting clinics and lessons at Chapel Hill Pickles & Play as well as being involved with leagues, open play, and tournaments. I encourage you to reach out to me personally at [email protected] with any questions regarding open play, clinics, private lessons, or anything else. I look forward to playing with you on the court and getting to know you off the court as well!
National Professional Trainers Affiliated
Tanner Wilhoit
Shannon Moore
Schedule
| Day | Location |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Wake Forest |
| Wednesday | Chapel Hill |
Book via Text or Email
Book via Text or Email
Jim DobranÂ
Pam Gilbert
Won Gold in Senior Pro APP New York 2023.
Eric Gilbert
Co Owner, President and Director of Pickleball Brier Creek Pickles and Play
Eric comes with a rich background in various sports and has dedicated the last six years to mastering pickleball. For the past five years, he has competed in professional pickleball tournaments, playing against top names like Ben Johns, Dylan Frazier, JW Johnson, and many more.
Eric is a well-known figure in the Triangle area for his pickleball skills and has been teaching the sport for the last two years. Most recently, he served as the Head Pro at Bentwinds Country Club. His athletic journey began with playing and coaching college baseball, along with a strong foundation in tennis and ping pong.
With Eric’s expertise and strategic understanding of the game, he brings immense value to Pickles and Play. His work ethic and positive attitude are unparalleled, and he is passionate about growing the sport of pickleball. Eric will be teaching and running Pickles and Play in Brier Creek, and we are excited about the growth and attention he will bring to the sport.