ABOUT US
MEET THE EXECUTIVE TEAM OF PICKLES AND PLAY
Lane Ethridge
CEO
Co-Founder/Owner
With a strong corporate background in real estate, Lane has previously served as Acquisition Manager, VP of Sales, and Consultant for multiple firms and equity organizations. Those experiences helped form a strong business background that became transferrable to other entrepreneurial pursuits and interests. Lane’s passion for pickleball began as a player, traveling to multiple states, and competing in numerous tournaments at the highest level. Recognizing the need for personal and group instruction, he formed Lane Ethridge Pickleball, a dedicated team of coaches and professional trainers. Through the interactive experiences leading LE Pickleball, Ethridge connected a diverse team of owners to develop Pickles and Play, featuring multiple locations of Indoor Pickleball Centers.
Originally from the Raleigh area, he has focused on the development of Pickleball in the region, serving as the Pickleball Pro at Northridge Country Club and Lifetime Raleigh. He also has served as a guest clinician internationally on multiple pickleball tours. A graduate from Virginia Tech University, Lane received his bachelors in communications. Combining his interest in writing and public speaking, Lane has authored four bestselling books on the psychology of success.
[email protected]
(240) 401 9742
Sudarshan Surana (Sam)
As a seasoned Market Maker and Managing Director at Accenture, Sam Surana brings over 25 years of dynamic expertise in structuring and negotiating transformative deals across the Healthcare, Retail, Banking, and Insurance sectors. Beyond his corporate accomplishments, Sam has invested in diverse businesses, ranging from countertop stones to real estate across the United States. He is excited to partner with P&P to drive aggressive growth and streamline operations, combining corporate discipline with an entrepreneurial mindset and energy.
Sam holds an MBA in Finance and a CFA, and is an active member of the venture and angel investment community in RTP. He lives in Cary with his wife Shweta, daughter Sanah, and son Shrey.
Shrey, an active member of the local pickleball community, previously ran his own pickleball tournaments and has been financially independent since the age of 14. His enthusiasm for the sport has inspired the family to engage more deeply with pickleball and partner with P&P to serve the community.
[email protected]
(919) 279 5727
Pam Gilbert
Won Gold in Senior Pro APP New York 2023
Shrey Surana
Engagement Director
Shrey Surana is a dynamic and ambitious 11th grade student at Cary Academy. Shrey shares a deep passion for entrepreneurship and business. With an impressive background that includes internships to several venture capital and private equity firms, real estate due diligence and acquisition, followed by his ventures in the startup world, Shrey has demonstrated a keen acumen for investment and strategic planning. His dedication to learning and growth is evident in his high academic achievements and leadership roles in various school clubs. Shrey leads the business and DEI chapter, underscoring minorities in the business space. Furthermore, is the president for the Pickleball club and is an active advocate for the sport itself. Shrey’s enthusiasm for the sport has inspired those around him, making pickleball a significant part of his life and a way to connect with others through shared interests and community engagement.
WHO WE ARE
Pickleball for Any Reason and Every Season
Pickles and Play is an elite upscale indoor pickleball sports facility with 7 state-of-the-art elite performance dedicated courts. The climate-controlled environment with premium lighting to illuminate your playing experience provides optimal playing conditions all year round. You can enjoy indoor pickleball for any reason and every season!
Offering over 60,000 square feet with professional tournament-grade indoor courts, the indoor pickleball model will offer memberships, reserved courts, open play, personal training, PlaySight video technology for live streaming and training, enhanced recording capabilities, group instruction, tournaments, leagues, a pro shop, corporate and private events, birthday parties, and a highly structured youth program. In addition, the company has secured twelve ancillary outdoor courts to utilize for tournaments and overflow programming.
SQUARE FEET
TRAINING PROGRAMS
COURTS
OUR MISSION
Pickleball is taking over the United States, and momentum continues to grow as the sport goes more mainstream. An estimated 4.8 million people in the U.S. now play pickleball, and participation has increased by 39.3% in the past two years, making it the country’s fastest-growing sport.
However, the Raleigh area lacks pickleball courts, and as the number of players continues to increase, the demand for courts has become suffocating. Not only do we need more courts for an expanding market, but we also need the right facility with the best courts to serve the increasing number of players at the highest level.
One of the keys to taking your pickleball game to the next level is having a convenient place to play. Public courts have become overcrowded and private clubs are too expensive as well as inaccessible for the average player; this combination leaves most players seeking options to have exclusivity while also searching for a community to be a part of while participating in this healthy activity. The best venue for all players is a facility that has dedicated courts located in an accessible area, yet currently, there is no such place within 100 miles of the RDU area.
OUR VISION
Co-founder and managing member Lane Ethridge suggest, “The growth of pickleball is partly attributed to the addictive nature of the game as well as the inclusive culture it breeds for all those who find it, usually at the time in their life when they need it more than they realize. I believe it will continue to expand in our market and attract a variety of players from the ultra-competitive to the exploding social and rec players seeking a way to spend time getting fun exercise while meeting new people who share a common love for the game. Pickles and Play will become the preeminent pickleball venue in the area, with expansion opportunities as we develop and grow. With the most elite expertise and experience growing multiple venues, combined with proven success in a parallel sports industry, our team has the ability to make this venue a massive success and be the industry leader.”
Passionate about serving the pickleball community, Ethridge recognizes, “Pickleball changed my life, and I don’t take for granted the ability to make a living doing what not everyone has the luxury of doing at all. Thank you for helping us expand and serve our community at an even greater level. Together, we will be a dynamic team.”
