NATIONAL RANKING SYSTEM
2025 NATIONAL RANKING SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
The PAB has developed a ranking system that implements key principles from our Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) plan. This system supports player progression through developmental stages while providing a transparent framework for national team selection. By integrating LTAD concepts like appropriate competition levels, progressive challenges, and recognition of both performance and participation, our ranking system establishes clear benchmarks for athletes at every stage.
PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL RANKING SYSTEM
The Bermuda National Pickleball Ranking System serves several critical functions:
1. TRANSPARENT NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION: Provides an objective, merit-based framework for selecting players to represent Bermuda in international competitions.
2. PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TRACKING: Enables players to track their progress over time, identify areas for improvement, and set achievable competitive goals.
3. APPROPRIATE TOURNAMENT SEEDING: Ensures fair and balanced competition by placing players in appropriate brackets based on demonstrated skill and achievement.
4. COMPETITIVE PATHWAY CLARITY: Establishes a clear progression path for players at all levels, encouraging participation and long-term engagement with the sport.
5. RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT: Formally acknowledges players' competitive accomplishments within Bermuda's pickleball community.
TOURNAMENT TIER STRUCTURE
The Tournament Pathway is organized into five tiers aligned with skill levels and tournament significance:
1. TIER 1: BERMUDA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Premier annual event determining national champions
- Required for National Team consideration
- 50% points bonus for all placements
2. TIER 2: ELITE SERIES (4.0+ TOURNAMENTS)
- High-level competitive events for advanced players
- DUPR ratings of 4.0 and above
- Maximum standard points in 4.0+ category
3. TIER 3: ADVANCED SERIES (3.5 TOURNAMENTS)
- Intermediate-level competitive events
- DUPR ratings between 3.5 and 3.99
- Maximum standard points in 3.5 category
4. TIER 4: CHALLENGER SERIES (3.0 TOURNAMENTS)
- Entry-level competitive events
- DUPR ratings between 3.0 and 3.499
- Maximum standard points in 3.0 category
5. TIER 5: SPECIALTY TOURNAMENTS
- Singles, Junior, and Special events (e.g., Kim Burns Memorial, BDA Blue, Deloitte)
- Points allocated based on appropriate skill level tier
- Kim Burns Memorial Tournament receives 25% points bonus
RATING TIERS
The Bermuda National Pickleball Ranking System categorizes players into the following tiers based on their DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating):
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3.0 - 3.499 => Challenger Series
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3.5 - 3.99 => Advanced Series
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4.0+ => Elite Series
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4.5+ (Planned for future implementation)
This tiered structure is designed to create a developmental pathway that supports players at every stage of their pickleball journey. By grouping players of similar skill levels, the system ensures competitive and rewarding experiences while providing clear benchmarks for improvement.
Events are structured to ensure appropriate competition and development opportunities across skill levels. Players whose DUPR ratings marginally exceed the division threshold (by no more than 0.05 points) may be permitted to participate at the tournament director's discretion, so long as the team's average rating is below the division's maximum rating. This allowance provides reasonable flexibility while maintaining competitive integrity.
Players benefit from competing primarily within their appropriate tier, where they can develop confidence, refine skills, and experience success against opponents of comparable ability. This balanced competition is essential for maintaining engagement and motivation. The rating system also acknowledges that improvement requires challenges, which is why players are encouraged to occasionally "play up" in a higher tier to test themselves against more skilled opponents.
The progression from Challenger Series through Advanced Series and ultimately to Elite Series represents a natural skill development journey. Each step requires players to expand their technical abilities, tactical understanding, and competitive mindset. This progression aligns with established athlete development models and supports long-term engagement with the sport.
While the 4.5+ tier is planned for future implementation, its inclusion in the framework demonstrates the PAB's commitment to supporting even the highest-level players as the sport continues to grow in Bermuda. This forward-thinking approach ensures that all players, regardless of their current skill level, have goals to strive toward within the Bermuda pickleball community.
RANKING POINTS STRUCTURE
The Bermuda National Pickleball Ranking System employs a comprehensive points structure designed to reward both performance and participation across all skill levels. This dual approach ensures that players are recognized for their competitive achievements while also encouraging consistent tournament participation, which is vital for the growth of the sport and the development of players' skills.
Points are awarded based on a player's tournament performance and the competition tier, with higher tiers offering proportionally more points to reflect the increased level of competition. This progressive structure acknowledges the greater challenge of succeeding at higher skill levels while providing meaningful rewards at every tier. Performance points are allocated according to how far a player advances in a tournament, with the greatest rewards going to those who reach the later rounds and podium positions.
In addition to performance points, all players receive participation points simply for competing in PAB-sanctioned events, regardless of their tournament results. These participation points increase with higher tier events, recognizing the greater challenge of competing at more advanced levels. This component of the ranking system ensures that players who consistently participate in tournaments are acknowledged for their commitment to the sport and contribution to the competitive pickleball community in Bermuda, even if they don't always advance to the later rounds. Participation points also serve as an incentive for players to maintain active tournament schedules and gain valuable competitive experience, which is essential for long-term development.
Together, the performance and participation elements of the ranking system create a balanced approach that values both achievement and engagement, supporting the PAB's mission to foster a vibrant, active, and growing pickleball community on the island.
RANKING POINTS TABLE:
BONUS POINTS FOR SIGNIFICANT EVENTS
2025 PAB-sanctioned tournaments with special significance are awarded point bonuses:
- National Championships: 50% bonus (all placements)
- Kim Burns Memorial Tournament: 25% bonus (all placements)
NATIONAL TEAM SELECTION PROCESS
