Phil Hayhurst, a recently certified PRR pickleball coach in Florida, is opening up about a series of backlashes and exclusions he’s faced while trying to build his coaching career.
In a recent social media post, Phil revealed that despite Florida leading the nation in pickleball popularity, he’s been met with hostility from established figures in the local pickleball community, which he describes as a ‘secret court politics’ network.
He continued by saying that after earning his certification, Hayhurst began promoting his coaching services; however, instead of support, he quickly ran into roadblocks.
According to him, a group of area coaches and leaders has acted like an “underground union,” effectively shutting out newcomers like himself.
The troubles began when someone allegedly monitored his online activity and reported Phil for coaching on unmanaged courts.
This resulted in a call from park management and two weeks of lost work as he navigated surprise paperwork and waited for official approval.
More seriously, Hayhurst was falsely reported for teaching unauthorized lessons at Jimmy Moore Park, despite never having held a single session there.
He received two warning emails from management and now fears being banned from playing at the facility altogether.
Pickleball Coach Phil Hayhurst Was Removed as The Ambassador of USA Pickleball
Phil Hayhurst revealed that the attacks didn’t stop there. He was also stripped of his USA Pickle Ambassador title following multiple complaints, none of which he was allowed to review or respond to.
He described the situation as being targeted by a cancel-culture campaign with no transparency or due process.
Phil further added that one particularly hurtful moment came when a student who gave him a glowing five-star review later defamed him publicly in a local Facebook group.
Within minutes of the comment, Hayhurst was removed from the group, one of the largest pickleball communities in the area, without any opportunity to defend himself.
He has now reached out to other coaches and community leaders, urging them to speak up against what he views as unethical gatekeeping.
Phil frames the situation as not just personal, but part of a bigger struggle involving small businesses, free speech, and fair opportunity.
“This is a spiritual war,” wrote Hayhurst. “The lines have been drawn, and they weren’t drawn by the conservative side.”
Despite the backlash, he remains hopeful that the broader pickleball community will support him.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Phil Hayhurst was born in Dallas and attended Clear Creek High School.
- He graduated from Lamar University and currently lives in Melbourne, Florida, with his wife.
