Player Profile: Jason Guillory

Jason Guillory, a member of the Pickleball Working Group, has scored some significant wins since he first played pickleball in early 2021. “My wife and I had agreed to play because Pickleball was her mother’s passion and we thought it would be nice to join her for her birthday. Having previously played badminton and tennis, the idea that the game would be tough to master was at best laughable, plus the name was ridiculous.”

But his laughter didn’t last long. “I felt I was playing my absolute best… but still losing! My opponents just smiled as they beat me numerous times… I realized I was missing something and felt challenged to improve.  So, I came back again and again until it became obvious that I was hooked on the best sport in the world… Pickleball!”

Later that year, Jason and family moved from San Francisco, California, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where pickleball was “virtually unknown. Determined to change that, Jason and his wife Meghan embarked on a mission to introduce Pickleball in Saigon and around Vietnam. By the time they returned to the U.S. in 2023, Jason was able to establish multiple courts nationwide, and help organize Saigon’s first International Pickleball Tournament with 143 participants from four countries. (Read the complete story of Jason’s experience bringing pickleball to Vietnam  https://pickleballsf.com/a-saigon-love-story/)

Jason’s early games were played at Stern Grove. Now that he’s returned home from Vietnam, he’s a regular player at Larsen Playground.  Additionally, Jason is a member of the Pickleball Working Group, the group of volunteers who advocate for the needs of the SF Pickleball Community. For Jason, “the biggest challenge facing the community right now is the shortage of courts available to meet the growing demand from the expanding player base.”

“The community needs to collaborate with Rec & Park to develop policies that balance the needs of all players while ensuring equitable access. As it now stands, many dual-purpose venues prioritize tennis over pickleball in terms of available space and reservation preferences. The Working Group’s goal is to make this allocation more equitable.  I’m committed,” Jason said, “to fostering a fair, inclusive, and sustainable approach to recreational court usage in San Francisco.”

If you’re interested in discussing positive change for Pickleball’s future in San Francisco, contact Jason via the Pickleball Working Group email at SFPBWG@gmail.com.  You can be sure Jason will be glad to hear your ideas and experiences.  He’ll even give you some Pickleball travel tips for Vietnam if you happen to be travelling there  – tận hưởng chính mình!

- Judy Goddess