MEET THE TEAM

Jeanne Hulsen

PPR Certified Coach, USAPA Member
As an accomplished athlete, teaching professional, and program director, I am passionate about building innovative instructional, recreational, competitive, and social programming in the racquet/paddle sports arena. My extensive experience as a multi sport coach is a great asset in the dynamic pickleball landscape.
I have coached collegiate women’s and men’s tennis and women’s volleyball, as well as high school varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis and volleyball. In addition, I have organized and coached youth development tennis programs and USTA adult tennis competitors.

My program administrative experience includes the University of Vermont Campus Recreation Director, Burlington Tennis Club Tennis Director, Burlington High School Athletics Director, and most recently Pickleball Director at The Sports and Fitness EDGE.

My credentials include: BS in Marketing and Management, Indiana University (‘82), M Ed in Recreation Management, University of Vermont (‘84), and PPR Pro/PTR Certified. I recently completed Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Train the Coaches Course. I am a DUPR + RPPK Master Instructor.

Helena Liu

I have been a lifelong racquet sports enthusiast, playing badminton and squash in college. In 2020, I discovered pickleball and quickly fell in love with the game. The Vermont pickleball community has been incredibly welcoming and helpful since I started, and I am committed to giving back by introducing others to this amazing sport. I genuinely enjoy working with people and helping them improve their skills so they can find the same joy I have found in pickleball. My goal is to share my passion and knowledge with players of all levels, ensuring they have a rewarding and enjoyable experience on the court.

Mark Chaffee

Mark is a Pickleball enthusiast and PPR-certified instructor. Mark has been playing Pickleball since 2018 and has medaled in many local and national tournaments, including Gold in the VT Senior Games in 2020. A current 4.5 DUPR-rated player, Mark enjoys teaching new players the basics of the game and helping existing players improve their game.

Timothy McCall

Timothy left his internal medicine practice 27 years ago to become, of all things, a yoga therapist. Before med school, he was the top player on his college tennis team and a tennis teaching pro. For the last five years, his full-time area of investigation has been how principles and practices from yoga can be applied to improving sports performance step-by-step. For students willing to do the work, it’s a path aimed at mastery. Like yoga, Timothy’s pickleball coaching is holistic, exploring body, mind, and breath. Working with everyone from beginners to elite athletes, he tailors his approach to each student’s unique situation and goals. He is the author of three books including Yoga as Medicine (Bantam) and at work on a book on yoga and sports.

Dan Canning

Dan is a PPR-certified USA pickleball ambassador & instructor from Upstate NY. He has been an EDGE staff member since 2020. In 2016, his pickleball journey began after a 40-year competitive tennis career. He quickly fell in love with the game for its goofy name, health benefits, and community. Dan’s primary focus at The EDGE for the past couple of years has been instructing the 3.0-3.5 bootcamps. With the new facility expansion, he will be available for privates/semi-privates, 3 & Me, and “play in” lessons for folks of all skill levels.

Theo Fetter

Theo is a new pickleball coach bringing a decade of experience in coaching Ultimate (frisbee) and teaching piano & music lessons. Theo is a carpenter by trade and spends most of his time remodeling houses. He lives in Shelburne with his partner and their two young children. As a longtime vegetarian, Theo also enjoys gardening and cooking. He lives by the mantra “Freedom is the ability to feel love for everyone” (from a Mason Jennings song). His favorite pickleball move is a tie between lobbing winners from the baseline and 3rd shot drop winners. Fun facts: Theo is a lefty, comes from an acclaimed waterskiing family, is a huge Yankees baseball fan, and will never be caught without Grape Nuts cereal.