Club Policies & Court Guidelines
Guidelines for safe, fair, and respectful play at Groveport Pickleball Club.
Groveport Pickleball Club is a volunteer-led community organization dedicated to growing the sport in Groveport through inclusive programming and responsible stewardship of our courts.
Conduct & Sportsmanship
Players must demonstrate respectful behavior toward fellow players, volunteers, city staff, and spectators. Unsportsmanlike conduct, harassment, abusive or disruptive behavior, and foul language will not be tolerated.
- Make fair line calls
- Resolve disputes calmly
- Promote inclusion
- Contribute to a positive playing environment
The Club reserves the right to remove individuals from organized programming for repeated violations.
Court Usage Guidelines
The Groveport Recreation Center courts are City-owned facilities. All posted City rules apply.
- Pickleball is the only permitted activity within the fenced court areas. Only proper pickleball paddles and balls may be used.
- Food and beverages, other than water, are not permitted on the courts. Sealed water bottles are allowed inside the fencing but must remain off the playing surface and out of active play areas.
- Glass containers, gum, alcohol, smoking, vaping, and tobacco products are not permitted within the court or spectator areas.
- Pets are not permitted on the courts or in the spectator areas.
- Chairs, coolers, and bags are not permitted on the playing surface and must remain outside the courts.
- Proper athletic footwear is required.
- No intentional contact should be made with court equipment or structures, including nets, net posts, fencing, or windscreens. Climbing, hanging, leaning, or striking fencing is prohibited.
- Protective eyewear is recommended.
- Groveport Recreation Department programs and City-sponsored activities have priority use of the courts.
- Private instruction, whether paid or unpaid, is not permitted without written approval from the City of Groveport.
- Courts may be closed due to inclement weather or unsafe conditions. The City of Groveport determines official court availability.
Looking for open play rotation details? See Play.
League & Event Registration
Players must be registered members of Groveport Pickleball Club on Global Pickleball Network (GPN), with annual club dues paid and active at the time of registration, in order to participate in organized leagues and events unless otherwise stated.
Eligibility requirements (skill level, age division, gender-specific programming, etc.) must be met prior to registration. Additional requirements may apply depending on the specific league or event.
- Players may register individually, but their selected partner must complete registration and designate them as their partner within seven (7) days.
- If a partner does not register and confirm within that timeframe, the initial registrant may be removed to allow space for fully registered teams.
- Refunds or replacements in these situations are subject to review.
- The seven (7) day confirmation period may be shortened if registration occurs close to the start of the league or event.
League Substitutions
League substitution rules vary by league format. Players are expected to follow all eligibility, communication, and scoring requirements outlined below.
- All substitutes must be registered on GPN and have a linked DUPR profile prior to submission of a sub request.
- All substitutes must have a DUPR rating within ±0.25 of the player being replaced.
- The player must post on TeamReach that they are seeking a substitute within the required DUPR range, including the date and time needed.
- The player must contact Laura no later than 3 days in advance to request assistance.
- Failure to follow the substitution requirements may result in 0 points awarded for that week.
- Repeated failure to secure a compliant substitute or follow the required process may result in removal from the league, at the discretion of league organizers.
- All exceptions are granted at the discretion of league organizers.
- One substitute: team may remain or move down, at organizer discretion.
- Two substitutes: team will move down one court.
- A female may substitute for either a male or female player.
- A male may substitute only for a male player.
- Each team must have at least one female player at all times.
- Any substitute: player will move down one court.
- If only one player on a court requires a substitute and a compliant sub cannot be found, an admin may elect to not use a substitute.
- In that case, the remaining four players will play three games to 20.
- When a substitute is used, the absent full-time player will receive 75% of the average points scored by all non-sub players or teams on that court for that week.
- Substitutes do not retain points.
- If games are entered into DUPR, the substitute will be entered into DUPR.
- Use of a last-minute substitute or a substitute outside the required DUPR range may result in reduced or 0 points awarded, at organizer discretion.
Players are responsible for securing their own substitute who meets the eligibility requirements above.
- If unable to find a substitute, the player must post in the Ladies TeamReach group, including skill level and current court.
- If a substitute is not secured by the day of play, the court will play with four players and the absent player will receive 0 points.
- All substitutions must be communicated to Katy no later than Monday morning.
- Use of a substitute will not result in upward movement on the court.
- Based on match results, the player will either remain on the same court or move down.
- If a player does not notify and fails to secure a substitute, 0 points will be awarded, the player will automatically move down, and the absence will be recorded as a no-show.
- Repeated failure to secure a substitute or notify may result in removal from the league.
- If a player is removed, their spot may be given to another player and no refund will be issued.
Refund & Cancellation
- Refunds are not guaranteed once a league or event has started.
- If an event is canceled due to weather, we will reschedule when possible.
- Credits may be offered at organizer discretion based on timing and circumstance.
Weather
Outdoor programming may be delayed or canceled due to rain, lightning, unsafe surfaces, or extreme temperatures. When possible, updates will be shared through official club channels.
Youth Participation
Children age 13 and under must be supervised by a parent or guardian unless participating in a supervised clinic or league. Youth participants must follow all club and City court rules.
Media & Liability
Participation in club events and programming may result in photos or video being taken for use on the club’s website, social media, or promotional materials. If you prefer not to appear in media content, notify a club organizer in advance. We will make reasonable efforts to honor requests, but we cannot guarantee removal from all background media.
Participation in pickleball involves inherent risk. By participating, individuals acknowledge and accept these risks. Groveport Pickleball Club, its volunteers, and the City of Groveport are not responsible for personal injury, lost items, or damage to personal property. Participants are responsible for their own health, safety, and equipment.