PICKLES: CORPORATE TEAM BUILDINGTHERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT!

MEET LEE WHITWELL

AKA “LADY GIBRALTAR” MAJOR LEAGUE PICKLEBALL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Voted by her pro peers and fans as MLP’s MVP, Whitwell has quickly gained the hearts of pickleball players throughout America and is a proven fan favorite every time she steps on the court. Born in Gibraltar, Whitwell grew up playing tennis and became a Division II national champion, capturing consecutive doubles titles in 1993 and 1994 at Francis Marion University in South Carolina. After graduating in 1996 she briefly played professional tennis before returning to campus life as an assistant coach at Alliant International University in San Diego.

 Her passion for tennis met its match in 2017 when Whitwell picked up a pickleball paddle for the first time and soon after participated in her inaugural pickleball tournament – and won! Since then, she has become one of the top players on the women’s tour. Known for her quick wit, Whitwell’s equally quick hands with a paddle and ability to reset anywhere on the court are rivaled only by her funny one-liners.

 Buckle up and enjoy the ride because with Lee on the court you can guarantee electrifying pickleball, camaraderie and fun!

"Once you meet her, you’ll know why. The world needs more Lee Whitwell’s.

TEAM BUILD (& BOND) WITH LEE WHITWELL “PICKLEBALL STYLE”

Zero. Zero. Start.

Have fun. Get the staff familiar with each other in an enjoyable and inclusive atmosphere.

Break boundaries between management and staff to bring out everyone’s best work.

MLP Team Style Play: how work gets done and how each person has to be accountable to complete their work while understanding that a larger goal.

ON THE COURT LESSONS

Common Purpose. Clear Expectations. Communication & Alignment. Coaching & Collaboration. Consequences & Results.

“THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT!”

“Team-Building you and your co-workers won’t hate, I promise. Keep creating these magical moments. AMAZING Team builder, the best I have ever been a part of. Everyone had a chance to shine. My co-workers can’t stop talking about it. This was freaking fabulous. Never a dull moment. If you’re thinking about it, do it already.”

“Pickles is the gold standard of pickleball clubs nationwide. Their innovative spirit embodies the mission of MLP and DUPR. We cannot thank the entire Pickles Team enough for all of their hard work, willingness to challenge status quo and dedication to the sport we all love so much . The sport of Pickleball, companies, leaders and employees nationwide are quite simply, “better” because of Lee Whitwell and Pickles!” Jill Braverman, CEO DUPR

WHY TEAM BUILDING (AND PICKLEBALL) MATTERS

Besides offering up a fun and creative alternative to bonding over happy hour (although you can dink & drink @Pickles) team-building activities provide companies and employees with plenty of added benefits.

At the base level, team building allows people to get to know each other—their interests, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they communicate, among other things. “Just like any professional sports team works and practices with one another to be at their best, teams at work can and should do the same thing,” says MLP Team owner Drew Brees (Yep, Drew Brees). And just like you can’t jump onto the field with a team that has zero clue who’s playing what position, who’s passing the ball to whom, and who’s the best at handling XYZ situation, you can’t achieve anything if your team members don’t understand one another.

Team-building activities also build camaraderie and trust—one of the most important aspects of a successful team. “Building a sense of trust amongst teammates allows people to bring the full power of their skills, personalities, and who they are to work,” says Gary Vaynerchuk the newest team owner in Major League Pickleball. “When people don’t have trust to do that, they hold back, thus sometimes limiting their abilities to be at their best.”

Finally, team-building activities can help remind people that work is never just about them—it’s about the entire group. When you’re encouraged to do something together, rather than solo, it brings to life the idea that the group’s success (and ultimately the company’s) should be a priority. This can be a particularly useful learning experience for teams that struggle with teamwork, are overly competitive, or lack unity and confidence as a result of a bad manager or hard times.