©2025 All Rights Reserved | Association of Pickleball Players
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Debuting in South Florida at The Fort in January 2025, APP Academy is the first-ever US and International boarding pickleball training and development program.
The program is designed to develop APP Next, Collegiate and Professional pickleball players, while building well-rounded student athletes.
Our family orientated environment encourages players to reach their goals by embracing challenges on the court, in the classroom, and through daily competition.
OUR MISSION
Thank you for visiting our site and showing interest working with our team overseeing both the APP Academy and Touring Pro Program - the APP High Performance Coaching Staff.
I strongly feel that this group of dedicated coaches and leaders in the pickleball industry, will make both of these player development programs the best worldwide training opportunities for any aspiring player junior to pro.
Ken Herrmann
Managing Owner, APP Player Development Program (APP Academy & APP Touring Pro Program)
I strongly feel that this group of dedicated coaches and leaders in the pickleball industry, will make both of these player development programs the best worldwide training opportunities for any aspiring player junior to pro.
Ken Herrmann
Managing Owner, APP Player Development Program (APP Academy & APP Touring Pro Program)
The Fort
Premier sports facility in South Florida, the ultimate destination for athletes and enthusiasts
Features
01
Premier Facility in United States
02
Located in South Florida
03
43 lighted courts (14 covered)
04
On-site fitness facility
05
Full service restaurant
06
2000 sq ft pro shop
07
Championship court seating 1200
APP Player development program
Leadership
Leaders are positive role models who have a profound influence on other student athletes. Student-athletes at the APP Academy are encouraged to set an example by inspiring other players to reach their maximum potential.
Resilience
On court practices, strength and conditioning sessions, academic classes, and competition constantly stretch players out of their comfort zones. Facing adversity allows players to overcome temporary setbacks and is key to building resilience in competition and in life.
Integrity
Players are held to a high ethical standard. Student-athletes are constantly encouraged to achieve competitive goals without compromising their most important core values.
Diligent
With the Academy staff’s philosophy on each individual’s quality of working carefully, student-athletes will remain committed to their tasks on hand both on and off the court and push back against inevitable roadblocks.
Timeline
Jan 2025
APP Player Development
APP Academy APP Touring Pro Program
APP Academy APP Touring Pro Program
June 2025
APP High Performance Summer Program
Sept 2025
Fall Semester
(Sept 8 - Dec 20)
APP Academy Boarding APP Touring Pro Program APP After-School Program APP Saturday Program
(Sept 8 - Dec 20)
APP Academy Boarding APP Touring Pro Program APP After-School Program APP Saturday Program
Dec 2025
APP Holiday Boot Camps
Dec 22-24, 2025
Dec 29-31, 2025
Dec 22-24, 2025
Dec 29-31, 2025
Jan 2026
Winter Semester
(Jan 5 - May 16)
APP Academy Boarding APP Touring Pro Program APP After-School Program APP Saturday Program
(Jan 5 - May 16)
APP Academy Boarding APP Touring Pro Program APP After-School Program APP Saturday Program
June 2026
APP High Performance Summer Program
(June 1 - Aug 7, 2026)
(June 1 - Aug 7, 2026)
Leadership & Coaching Staff
Kyle Yates
2024 Hall of Fame
Mason DURBIN
High Performance Coaching Team
Timeline
NON-BOARDING PROGRAMS
Programs Offered:
APP Touring Pros Program • APP Academy Full time (Non-Boarding) •APP After-School Program • APP Saturday Program • APP Holiday Boot Camp • APP High Performance Summer Program
APP Touring Pros Program • APP Academy Full time (Non-Boarding) •APP After-School Program • APP Saturday Program • APP Holiday Boot Camp • APP High Performance Summer Program
Fall Session
September 8 - December 20, 2025
Duration: 15 weeks
Days: Monday – Friday, plus Saturday
Holiday Boot Camp
December 22-24, 2025
December 29-31, 2025
Winter Session
January 5 - March 28, 2026
Duration: 12 weeks
Days: Monday – Friday, plus Saturday
Spring Session
April 6 - May 15, 2026
Duration: 6 weeks
Days: Monday – Friday, plus Saturday
Summer Session
June 1 - August 7, 2026
Duration: 10 weeks
Days: Monday – Friday
Timeline
FULL YEAR BOARDING PROGRAM
The Fall 2025 (Sept 8 – Dec 20) boarding program is full. We are accepting applications for the Winter/Spring 2026 session (Jan 5 – May 15).
Annual Fort Junior Membership is required.
Annual Fort Junior Membership is required.
September 8, 2025 - May 2026
Holiday Break – December 22, 2025 to January 4, 2026
Spring Break – March 30 to April 5, 2026
Graduation May 16, 2026
WEEKLY SCHEDULE & PRICING
WINTER SESSION
# WEEKS
FALL SESSION
September 8th to
December 20, 2025
September 8th to
December 20, 2025
15 weeks
WINTER/SPRING SESSION
January 5, 2026 to
May 15, 2026
January 5, 2026 to
May 15, 2026
18 weeks
Graduation
May 16, 2026
May 16, 2026
Email: academy@theapp.global for additional information
Player Training & Activities Schedule
- 6:45am Rise and Shine
- 7:30 am - 10:30 am Breakfast/ Studies
- 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Morning Session: On Court Training
- 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Lunch, Studies, Appointments, Admin
- 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Afternooon Session: On Court Training
- 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm Dinner
- 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Study Hall
- 9:45 pm Curfew
- 10:30 pm Lights Out
- Weekend:
- No scheduled activities
- APP Academy Saturday session or private lessons available
- Travel to local, regional/national tournaments supported
- Entertainment (movies, mall get-a-ways, entertainment)
Training Schedule & Rates
- 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Morning Session: on/off court training
- 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Lunch, Studies, or rest
- 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Afternoon Session: on/off court training
Cost per training hour:
- Drop-in rate: $90/daily session ($30/training hour)
- Save $15 per Touring Pros Program/Full-Time (Non-boarding) session by purchasing bulk training hours in advance at $25/training hour – bulk training hours purchased are used in the season and can be mixed for the various training programs offered and private lessons. Email academy@theapp.global to purchase bulk training hours.
- Late Cancellation Fee –any player who has signed up for a program then cancels within 24 hours of the scheduled program will be billed 50% of the group session or 100% of the private lesson. Instructor services are scheduled in advance based upon enrollment.
Weekly schedule includes Monday through Friday
The APP Academy After-School program is designed for athletes who attend a traditional school and wish to attend the high-performance development training program offered by the APP Academy.
- 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM on court training
- Plus, Saturday Noon – 3:00 PM
Cost per training hour:
- Drop-in rate: $90/daily session ($30/training hour)
- Save $15 per After School session by purchasing bulk training hours in advance at $25/training hour – bulk training hours purchased are used in the season and can be mixed for the various training programs offered and private lessons. Email academy@theapp.global to purchase bulk training hours.
- Late Cancellation Fee –any player who has signed up for a program then cancels within 24 hours of the scheduled program will be billed 50% of the group session or 100% of the private lesson. Instructor services are scheduled in advance based upon enrollment.
Saturday Program Overview
The APP Academy Saturday program is designed for athletes who wish to attend the high-performance development training program offered by the APP Academy.
Saturday Noon - 3:00 PM
Cost per training hour:
- Drop-in rate: $90/daily session ($30/training hour)
- Save $15 per Saturday session by purchasing bulk training hours in advance at $25/training hour – bulk training hours purchased are used in the season and can be mixed for the various training programs offered and private lessons. Email academy@theapp.global to purchase bulk training hours.
- Late Cancellation Fee –any player who has signed up for a program then cancels within 24 hours of the scheduled program will be billed 50% of the group session or 100% of the private lesson. Instructor services are scheduled in advance based upon enrollment.
Housing and Academic Support
Full-Time Boarding
FULL-TIME BOARDING: HOUSING
- Shared Housing
- Fully Furnished
- Kitchen
- Laundry
- Resident Parent Manager
FULL-TIME HOUSING & SUPERVISION
- House adult/parent living with athletes if APP Academy boarding
- Meal Prep
- Transportation
- Study Hall
- Calendar/Schedule Management
- Medical appointments
- Social outings with supervision
Full-Time Boarding: Education
APP Academy is dedicated to academic success, ensuring education remains a priority alongside performance training. Our methods create well-rounded student-athletes through advanced technology, tutorial support, ACT/SAT prep, and the flexibility needed by serious athletes.
Our goal is for 100% of APP Academy athletes to earn academic or athletic scholarships and continue playing pickleball at the collegiate level.
- Online / Public /Private
- Registration Assistance
- Coordinating Tutoring
Pathway to Competing at the Highest Levels
A continued pathway of development for an aspiring player wanting to compete at the highest levels of the sport
FAQs
Who is eligible to participate in the APP Academy programs (non-boarding full-day program and after-school program)?
A player in the APP Academy is still playing amateur tournaments with a skill level 5.0 or below. When they are committed to playing full-time pro and meet APP Co-Director’s approval, they can move to the Touring Pro Program (TPP).
Can students play additionally at The Fort when not attending their APP Academy sessions?
A junior will have the opportunity to obtain a junior membership at the Fort to play additionally with family and friends if enrolled in either the APP Academy or the Fort’s junior program. For additional information contact Fort Membership Director, John (JT) Jackson at: Johnj@playthefort.com
What is the coach/student ratio?
6:1
What is the contingency plan for rain?
We will move the academy to the covered courts in case of rain.
How can a student arrange private lessons with members of the APP Player Development Coaching staff?
A student can arrange a private lesson with one of the academy's high-performance coaches by contacting Missy Sipe at academy@theapp.global
How is a player’s skill level assessed, and how are academy students placed?
A player with a 3.5 skill level or higher is invited to participate in the APP Player Development Program. A player’s skill level can be assessed using their UTR-P rating, current tournament results, and/or a 30-minute evaluation with one of the APP Academy High Performance Coaches. The APP Academy After-School program or Saturday program are great places for players with a 3.5 skill level to start.
Players with advanced skill levels will be invited to participate in the APP Academy Touring Pro training sessions held during the day-time.
To inquire, please send your pickleball history and goals via email to: academy@theapp.global
The APP Academy’s staff will review and schedule your next steps.
When does the registration open for the APP Player Development programs?
Registrations are now being accepted for the non-boarding full-day program and after-school program. Fall session begins September 8, 2025; winter session begins January 5, 2026 and spring session begins April 6, 2026.
Registrations are now being accepted for the Winter/Spring APP Academy Boarding Program (player age 18 and younger). The Winter/Spring session will be January 5th through May 16, 2026.
Please email academy@theapp.global for additional information.
