About your pickleball coach

Cindy Welch grew up on a grass tennis court in nearby Hopewell, VA, where she learned the game not so much as a competitive sport, but as a fun family affair. After playing number one for the Hopewell High School tennis team, Cindy taught during summer breaks while earning a bachelor’s degree in music education from VCU. She spent the next 15 years home schooling and coaching her three children, two of whom played number 2 for their local high school tennis squads. In 2013 Cindy discovered the wildly popular sport of pickleball. As a Co-Ambassador in Woodbridge, VA from 2017-2021, Cindy was instrumental in working with the local Pickleball Community and County Officials to usher in the first outdoor dedicated pickleball courts in the Northern VA area. She earned her IPTPA instructor certification in 2018 and soon after began teaching adult pickleball for Prince William County. In 2021, Cindy took on the role of head pickleball instructor at the Franconia Rec Center (Fairfax, VA), continuing to conduct private and group clinics throughout NOVA until making the permanent move back to Richmond in 2022. Since her return, Cindy has been teaching pickleball to both children and adults in and around the RVA. She has successfully taken beginners through to becoming competitive pickleball tournament players up to the 4.0 level. Cindy’s brand, Pickleball-Zen, focuses on correct technique and body awareness to promote mindful movement for overall health and wellbeing. She believes that pickleball’s greatest asset is its ability to build community connections while simultaneously increasing physical and mental strength and fitness. Cindy is so excited to be part of the team of instructors at PPBRVA and looks forward to meeting and working with you!