Andrea Ingvalson, President – Wausau Area Pickleball
What do you do?
I am the president of Wausau Area Pickleball, an Ambassador with USAPA (United States of America Pickleball Association), and a certified pickleball instructor with IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association). I teach intro to pickleball clinics, give lessons to people looking forward to improving their games, advocate for the sport, and am currently working with the park department to get more courts built at Marathon Park to support our growing numbers.
What education, classes or training were helpful to you?
I am a licensed Physical Education teacher, although I am not currently working at a school. I think this has helped a lot with being able to teach pickleball. I also traveled to Kansas City over a year ago to get certified with the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association.
Why did you choose this sort of work?
I started playing pickleball with a group here in Wausau about 5 years ago. The more I played, the more addicted to the sport I became. There was a great need for our club to have some formal organization, so I formed a board and got us going. It has been great! We received non-profit status earlier this year and have been working to gather donations to create more courts. I love teaching new people how to play, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing someone fall in love with a sport and with becoming more physically active.
What do you like best about your work?
I love seeing the joy that the sport can bring to people. Not only is this a great way to exercise, but it is an amazingly social game. We travel together to tournaments, get together for meals and celebrations and support each other.
What advice would you give girls who want to get into your field?
Teaching is such a joy. Whether I’m teaching children or adults watching someone “get it” is amazing. I believe anyone who feels a passion to teach others should. I started teaching when I was a teenager! My first teaching job was teaching swimming lessons. I think this is a great way to get started if you are a young person who thinks she might be interested in teaching. From there I became a camp counselor, and eventually went to college to become a teacher.
What is an example of something you’ve had to overcome to get to where you are now?
I’ve heard the word “no” a lot in my life. On this path and on many others. I’ve learned to not take no for an answer when it comes to getting what I want. If I hear “no” from one funding source, I’ll try another. If I hear “no” from one organization, I’ll find another. Keep working, keep asking, keep exploring options until you hear, “yes”.
Anything else we should know?
Pickleball is an all-ages sport. Are you interested in learning more? The Wausau Area Pickleball Club would love to show you what pickleball is all about! You can check out their offerings on their website.
Thank you Andrea Ingvalson!
To read more interviews with local wonder women, check out the Wunderfrauen Archive.