FOCUS is a proud sponsor of the DUPRXpress Round-robin.

At IPOP, we believe in combining the joy of pickleball with opportunities to give back. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) as one of the proud sponsors of our upcoming DUPRXpress Round-Robin. FOCUS’s mission to provide disaster relief and long-term recovery aligns perfectly with our goal of building inclusive communities, both on and off the court.

Focus Humanitarian (FOCUS)

Focus Humanitarian (FOCUS)

What is Focus Humanitarian Assistance?

Founded in 1994 by the Aga Khan Development Network, FOCUS assists marginalized communities in becoming more resilient to both natural and artificial disasters. Their work centers on preparedness and prevention, emergency relief and recovery, and rebuilding and resettlement after crises.

As Moez Janmohamed, IPOP co-founder and long-time FOCUS supporter, explains, “FOCUS was created to help the world’s most vulnerable communities not just recover but rebuild sustainably.”

FOCUS focuses on three main areas to assist people in need.

FOCUS focuses on three main areas to assist people in need.

The Ismaili Connection

FOCUS’s mission is deeply rooted in the Ismaili Muslim community’s values, emphasizing service (seva) and compassionate action. Moez shares, “As Ismailis, we are encouraged to assist those around us to improve their quality of life, especially in marginalized communities.” This ethos of helping others, regardless of background, drives FOCUS’s global efforts.

Moez recalls how and why he became a FOCUSStar in 1994, committing to regular donations to support the cause. “Over 90% of funds donated go directly to the cause,” he adds, highlighting FOCUS’s commitment to ensuring donations make a real impact.

The Ismaili's try to assist people in need and improve the quality of life for others.

The Ismailis try to assist people in need and improve the quality of life for others.

FOCUS’s Impact Around the World

From Tajikistan’s mountains to Pakistan’s flood-stricken regions, FOCUS has made a global difference. During the 2022 floods in Pakistan, for instance, FOCUS worked with the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) to evacuate over 8,000 people and provide essential supplies.

FOCUS also emphasizes disaster prevention and public education. In Canada, they’ve raised awareness through emergency preparedness kit checklists, one of which we’ll have on display at the DUPRXpress Round-Robin!

In addition, through the Ready When the Time Comes program, FOCUS has trained hundreds of volunteers in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross to respond to crises like wildfires and floods.

FOCUS offers a free emergency preparedness kit checklist.

FOCUS offers a free emergency preparedness kit checklist.

Why FOCUS’s Work is So Important

Disasters—both natural and man-made—are becoming more frequent and severe, with the most vulnerable communities suffering the most. As Moez notes, “Natural disasters due to climate change are one of the leading causes of suffering worldwide.”

FOCUS alleviates this suffering by providing immediate relief and long-term recovery. They also offer mental health support, youth mentorship, and skill-building initiatives to help communities rebuild stronger. “FOCUS isn’t just about handing out supplies,” Moez says. “It’s about restoring lives and building sustainable resilience.”

FOCUS is a proud sponsor of the DUPRXpress Round-robin.

FOCUS is a proud sponsor of the DUPRXpress Round-robin.

Supporting FOCUS Through the DUPRXpress Round-Robin

Just like FOCUS is more than handing out supplies, the DUPRXpress Round-Robin isn’t only about pickleball—it’s about giving back. A portion of the Round-robin’s proceeds will support Focus Humanitarian Assistance and its vital work. “Pickleball is an inclusive sport, and inclusivity is one of FOCUS’s core values,” Moez explains. “This partnership made perfect sense.”

Join us at Robert Burnaby Park on Saturday, September 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for fun, great food, and amazing pickleball action. 

A huge thank you to everyone who signed up for the DUPRXpress Round-Robinwe’re officially sold out! Over 60 players signed up to join IPOPs DUPR club and play mixed doubles games to get their official DUPR number. It’s going to be a fun, competitive, great day!

Even if you didn’t secure a spot, you can still be part of the excitement by cheering on the players and enjoying some delicious BBQ.

Plus, you can learn how to warm up properly and prevent injury from Andrea Conti, an elite personal trainer at Sandcastle 24hr Fitness Club, so you can keep playing pickleball for years to come! He’ll be on at 8:30 a.m., and then the pickleball action starts at 9:00 a.m.

Hope to see you there!

A Worthy Cause Deserving Your Support

Can’t make it to the event but would like to help out FOCUS’ worthy causes? You can support FOCUS by donating directly here. Every bit helps communities rebuild and become more resilient.

FOCUS is more than just an organization—it’s a lifeline for communities devastated by disasters. As Moez emphasizes, “The satisfaction of helping rebuild lives is indescribable. You can experience that too by supporting FOCUS and becoming part of the change.”

Donate to Focus Humanitarian to help.

Donate to Focus Humanitarian to help.

Whether you’re playing in the Round-robin or cheering from the sidelines, your involvement supports a cause that’s changing lives. Together, we can rally to support FOCUS and make a real difference in the world.

DUPR is a pickleball rating system for everyone.

If you’ve been bitten by the pickleball bug (and let’s be real, who hasn’t?), you’ve probably wondered, “How good am I, really? And how can I tell?”

Enter DUPR, the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating, a new system that’s about to make your pickleball life way more exciting.

What Exactly is a DUPR Number?

DUPR (rhymes with super) was invented in 2021 by Steve Kuhn, the founder of Major League Pickleball (MLP). The system was designed to be the most accurate and inclusive global rating system for pickleball players, providing a dynamic and real-time reflection of a player’s skill level across various match formats.

A DUPR number is a rating that reflects your skill level in pickleball. It ranges from 2.000 to 8.000 and is determined by factors such as the points you win, match outcomes, and the types of games you play.

DUPR is a pickleball rating system for everyone.

DUPR is a pickleball rating system for everyone. Photo from DUPR.com.

Here’s an example of how the DUPR rating system works:

Let’s say you and your partner are rated 4.0 and up against a team rated 4.5. The DUPR algorithm calculates an expected value (EV) for how many points your team should score — let’s say it’s 7 points. Even if you lose the match with a score of 9-11, you’ve outperformed your expected value by scoring more than 7 points.

Cool, right?

As a result, your DUPR rating could increase, even though you lost, because the system recognizes that you played better than anticipated against stronger opponents. This way, DUPR rewards your performance, not just the final outcome.

So, What’s the Big Deal About DUPR?

DUPR isn’t just another rating system — it’s the rating system. 

Imagine knowing exactly how you stack up, not just at your local court but compared to players worldwide.

But here’s the best part: DUPR isn’t static. It updates in real-time based on your latest matches. Play well, and your rating goes up; have an off day, and it might dip—but that just gives you more motivation to get back out there and improve.

Plus, it’s completely gender-neutral and only cares about your court performance, as we showed in the example above. Your DUPR number isn’t just about winning and losing — it’s about how well you played.

Knowing your DUPR number helps you match up with players better.

Knowing your DUPR number helps you match up with players better.

Why It’s Awesome to Know Your DUPR Number

Let’s talk about why DUPR makes pickleball even more fun.

First, it creates fair and competitive matchups, a game-changer for tournaments, round robins, and casual play alike. Gone are the days of mismatched games where one team steamrolls the other. DUPR ensures that players with similar skills face off, making every match more exciting and challenging.

And if you’re the kind of player who loves seeing progress, DUPR is perfect for you. Knowing that every point and every match can impact your rating adds a whole new level of intensity. You’ll hustle for every ball and fight for every point because it all counts.

Plus, finding similarly skilled partners for more competitive games becomes a breeze — DUPR takes the guesswork out of matchmaking, so you can spend less time coordinating and more time playing.

Check out the DUPR website for more info. If you don’t have your DUPR number yet, you can easily sign up for one here or download their app.

It's simple to get your DUPR number. Photo from DUPR.com.

It’s simple to get your DUPR number. Photo from DUPR.com.

Get Your DUPR Number at the DUPRXpress Round-robin

Want to get your DUPR number up and running (and have a bunch of fun doing it)?

Great news — IPOP is hosting the DUPRXpress Round-robin from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on September 21st, 2024, at Robert Burnaby Park in Burnaby, BC, and it’s the perfect chance to get your DUPR number!

The DUPR-express pickleball tournament,

The DUPR-express pickleball tournament,

And, of course, beginners are welcome (the great thing about DUPR is that it takes your skill level into account, so your rating is more about how well you played relative to your competition than just wins and losses)!

This event isn’t just about fun and competition — it’s also a BC Children’s Hospital Foundation/Focus Humanitarian Assistance fundraiser and a BBQ to get to know your fellow pickleballers better.

  • The round-robin fee is just $40 (includes a BBQ lunch and to support Focus Humanitarian Assistance and the BC Children’s Hospital)
  • Everyone plays mixed doubles.
  • We’ll enter the scores to get your DUPR number for you at the event (after you join IPOP’s DUPR club, which we’ll send instructions on).

Sound like a good time? It will be!

If you want to sing up to play in this round-robin, click this link to the IPOP website and follow the instructions.

But hurry up and register because there are limited spots available.

Conclusion

DUPR isn’t just about numbers — it’s about making pickleball more enjoyable for everyone. It levels the playing field, encourages continuous improvement, and brings players together in a global community. Whether playing for fun or looking to climb the ranks, DUPR adds a layer of excitement and fairness that’s hard to beat.

So, why wait? Dive into DUPR and see how this game-changing system can elevate your pickleball experience. Click here to register for your DUPR account today. It’s fast, free, and easy. And if you register for the DUPRxpress, we’ll send you a link to join IPOP’s DUPR club. See you there!