Lee Whitwell, Number One Ranked Female Senior Pro, International Professional Pickleball Player, Coach, Consultant, and Business Owner

Lee Whitwell is not only the number one ranked female senior pro in the world but also a top-ranked international professional pickleball player, respected coach, and pickleball club consultant. Voted MVP of Major League Pickleball (MLP) in both 2021 and 2022, she continues to inspire both on and off the court.

Born in Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, Lee ventured to America for college and made her mark in professional tennis before transitioning to pickleball. Known for her fierce competitiveness, she captivates audiences with her humor and crowd engagement skills. Lee’s journey through the sport is not just about individual success but also about giving back.

In addition to her competitive career, Lee is the Next Gen National Team Coach, where she helps mentor and develop the future stars of pickleball. She is also the co-founder, alongside her business partner Angela Farmer, of Game ChangeHer Events—a grassroots pickleball events company dedicated to empowering women, particularly focusing on the senior pro division. Together, they advocate for the growth of women's pickleball at both national and international levels, especially among women over 50. Lee embodies sportsmanship, consistently demonstrating compassion, kindness, and a genuine passion for the sport.

Yvonne Ting, IPTPA Certified Teaching Professional, IPTPA Director for Level 2 Certifications, and USA Pickleball Certified Referee

Yvonne has been competing in pickleball tournaments since 2017, and has won multiple national title in the 5.0 level and Senior Pro division. Her journey started with badminton, where she honed her lightning-fast reflexes and killer overheads, playing for Malaysia’s national team.

Yvonne is passionate about creating a positive, fun, and inclusive environment for her students. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, she’s got you covered with a teaching style that’s all about mastering the basics, sharpening your strategy, and boosting your game awareness – all while keeping it upbeat and encouraging.

When it comes to coaching, Yvonne’s got a special talent for connecting with each player’s individual goals. Whether she’s running group clinics or giving personalized one-on-one lessons, her excitement for pickleball is absolutely contagious.

Beyond the court, Yvonne is deeply involved in the pickleball community, sharing her love for the game at clubs, community centers, and beyond. As a coach and player, she’s always looking to help others improve, whether they’re fine-tuning their technique or just starting out.

For Yvonne, pickleball is more than just a sport – it’s a way to build lifelong friendships, stay fit, and have a blast! She’s not just teaching players how to win; she’s teaching them to love the game for all the joy it brings. If you want to up your pickleball game and have some serious fun doing it, Yvonne’s your go-to coach!

Carrina de Vera, Senior Pickleball Pro and Certified Coach

Carrina de Vera says that pickleball is a passion for her. She is very grateful that she has many

opportunities to play, to share, and to grow the sport. As an athlete, she competes in the Senior Pro division and

is an APP Champions Pro player for the Humana Team Cup Tour. Last year, she was a Champions Pro Player for the Oklahoma City Punishers for the inaugural National Pickleball League. Carrina has a background in many sports and martial arts. She is also an IPTPA & PPR Certified Teaching Professional. “I love coaching! It is super fun to find ways to help improve players' technique and share strategy, so that players of all levels are more successful on the court,” Carrina says about her coaching experience. Her clients love her fun and unique teaching style.

Carrina and her wife, Deb de Vera share a lifetime together and currently live in Denver, CO, close to their son and daughter-in-

law. They enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling and exploring, being active, and doing anything FUN!

With that, Carrina says, "Pickleball + Turks + YOU = FUN! I'm all in. I can't wait to meet all of you! We'll see you in November 2024!!!"

Mary Helen Atkins, Senior Pickleball Pro and Coach

Mary Helen Atkins is a recognized Champion/ Senior Pro pickle ball player and within the top ten in the world. She was born in San Angelo, Texas but spent much of her life growing up and playing multiple competitive sports in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Atkins played highly competitive soccer and was on a full dual scholarship for soccer and tennis at the college of Boca Raton (now named Lynn University). Her passion for the game translates perfectly into her teaching, where her top priority is to provide techniques and strategies that are equally fun and effective for pickleball improvements.

Atkins began playing in 2013 and started to seriously compete in 2015. She entered the sport through a highly competitive athletic background which has contributed to an evolved awareness through which she promotes techniques that involve mind exercises and breath-work as an added component towards her teaching skills.
Mary Helen Atkins has been on the APP tour since it began and has had much success winning top 3 at most tournaments. She is currently a signed top player with the National Pickleball League (NPL) which show cases all the top Senior Pro players in the world.
Mary Helen is an IPTPA certified instructor and an IPTPA Director for instructor certifications. She is knowledgeable, creative and passionate about teaching. Her favorite motto is: NEVER-ENDING IMPROVEMENTS WITH A BIG SIDE OF FUN!

Domenika Turkovic, Professional Pickleball Coach, Pro Pickleball Competitor & Former Division 1 Tennis Standout

Domi started her pickleball adventure after she finished competing in tennis for the Arizona State Sun Devils, a division 1 school competing in the PAC-12. She was ranked as high as number 7 in the country in doubles and 69 in singles. Domi was a top player in Croatia in juniors and played a few professional tournaments before continuing her education in the US. After a successful tennis career, she decided to turn her attention to pickleball. She has been coaching for the past two years and started playing tournaments at the beginning of the year. Domi is currently a full time professional player looking to share her knowledge and experience with the world. Her teaching motto is to have fun, keep moving, and to improve your physical and mental abilities on and off the court.

Dionne Lim, International Tennis Champion and Pro Pickleball Competitor

"Dionne Lim is a USPTA certified tennis pro, a certified PPA Pickleball coach, and an accomplished player. Lim was the number one tennis player for Singapore, representing her country in the Fed Cup, Southeast Asian Games, and other international tournaments. She received a full scholarship to play NCAA Division 1 tennis for all four years. In addition to her extensive tennis background, Dionne has transitioned to pro pickleball events, competing in the inaugural USA vs CANADA Pro event, playing in Singapore, and heading to China for another pro pickleball competition. Her passion lies in helping students discover new elements of their game while continuously learning from others each day."