When Myra Medina Auer first organized a Friday pickleball session, it wasn’t about building something big. It was about carving out a fun, social game with friends on her one free day of the week.
From that simple start, she and co-host Lorie Mallari built Pop and Paddle into a community that blends social connection, fair competition, and easy organization.
Here’s how they did it, and what you can take away if you’re running a more casual group.
Discovering the sport
Myra picked up a paddle on January 1, 2025, and quickly found herself hooked. But as a beginner, it wasn’t always easy to find games.
Luckily, she fell in with a small group of women at mixed skill levels. Before long, she started inviting them to play on Fridays, her one day without meetings.
“We started with 12 players, then 16, then 20,” she told us. “From the beginning, it was always social, but I wanted the matchups to feel fair so nobody felt out of place.”
That balance between fun and fairness became the group’s calling card.
The early days: Swish and PB360
Like a lot of organizers, Myra tried different platforms early on. In Arizona, she used Swish. Back in California, she switched to PB360.
Both worked, but each came with headaches. “Some features were helpful, but the overall experience wasn’t as smooth,” she said.
By mid-2025, her group had grown to over 230 members. When she decided to switch to Pickleheads, every player came over almost immediately.
“The transition was smooth, and Pickleheads had the features we wanted right away,” Myra told us. “It was easier for me, but also more player-friendly for everyone else.”
Moving to Pickleheads
For Myra and Lorie, Pickleheads solved a lot of the little frictions that make organizing stressful:
- Reminders helped players actually show up
- Location info was clear, so no one got lost on game day
- Group chat made sharing updates and links simple
- Formats kept games fresh and balanced
Even better, it was easy for new players to navigate. “It works for all ages,” said Myra. “That matters when you’re welcoming beginners and people who aren’t super techy.”
Building community, not just games
What really stands out about Myra and Lorie is their philosophy: pickleball is about connection first, competition second.
They make a point of welcoming new players, including those who often get left out of more advanced groups. “I always try to invite beginners and intermediates,” Myra said. “They’re the ones who need the community most.”
At the same time, they keep things fun and engaging for everyone—running seeded formats, experimenting with round robins, and even encouraging others in the group to host sessions themselves.
One sign of success: Myra has even hosted 40-player events remotely while traveling, with local players running the courts.
Advice for casual organizers
Asked what she’d tell someone running their first few sessions, Myra’s advice was simple:
- Be welcoming—especially to beginners and people new to the area
- Start with fun—nail down balanced games before worrying about competitive formats
- Keep things organized—enough that players know where to go and who to play, but don’t overcomplicate it
- Share information about other play opportunities—be the connector, not just the host
“It’s not just about managing games,” Myra told us. “It’s about creating a space people want to return to.”
What’s next for Pop and Paddle
Today, the group is evolving beyond Friday games. They’re running leagues at multiple locations, exploring charity tournaments, and planning to test new formats like Pickleheads’ Pool Play for mini social competitions.
The name may have changed, but the mission is the same: pickleball that’s welcoming, fun, and easy to organize.
The takeaway
Myra and Lorie’s story proves you don’t need a huge group to build something meaningful. With the right mindset—and the right tools—you can turn casual sessions into a community people love being part of.
