To: Marty Janssen (President), Mark Lovegrove (Secretary), and the Rotorua Pickleball Club Committee.

Petition for Member Inclusion: Supporting Denise Doctor

Denise Doctor has been a dedicated, financial member of the Rotorua Pickleball Club for over two years. During this time, she has proven to be a vital asset to our community, consistently volunteering her time for registrations and round-robin setups.
Despite her long-standing commitment and having applied for interclub play for two consecutive years, she has yet to be given the opportunity to represent the club in this capacity.
We, the undersigned, petition the committee to adopt the following principles to ensure a fair and sustainable future for our club:

Prioritise Member Development: A sustainable club must focus on helping its own members grow. We believe long-term members like Denise, who contribute both financially and through extensive volunteering, deserve priority for competitive opportunities.

Avoid Over-Competitiveness: While we strive for excellence, favouring outside talent over loyal members damages our unique club culture. This practice lowers morale and risks the loss of dedicated members.

Invest in Long-Term Retention: Encouraging long-term participation requires more than just social play; it necessitates providing all members with tournament opportunities and tangible pathways for individual skill growth.

Uphold a "Team-First" Mentality: We urge the committee to integrate competitive ambition with a culture that values every member’s contribution, ensuring that the "Rotorua spirit" remains inclusive and supportive.

We ask that the committee reviews its selection process for the 2026 season—including upcoming events like Battle of the Bays—to better reflect these values and recognize the dedication of members like Denise.