Meet the team!
Ta-Ming Shih
Head Coach & Director
Ta-Ming has played racquet sports all of his life, with badminton being his main focus competitively (in his younger days). These days, pickleball has become his favorite—thanks to its mix of strategy, accessibility, and the welcoming community around it. What started as a simple idea to teach pickleball at his son's school quickly turned into a growing youth program that now spans multiple school districts in the Greater Seattle Area.
As a parent of two school-aged kids, Ta-M ing is passionate about creating fun, meaningful ways for young players to play and build confidence through pickleball. He's especially proud of the amazing team of coaches who choose to give their time and energy to help kids fall in love with the game. Ta-Ming and his team are excited about expanding opportunities for young players to learn, grow, and be part of the sport’s amazing momentum!
Thien Nguyen (Coach T)
Head Coach
Coach T is a dedicated coach with years of experience working with young athletes across multiple sports, including Frisbee, volleyball, and most notably, pickleball. As pickleball rapidly grows worldwide, Coach T focuses on introducing the game to new athletes while mentoring returning players at higher competitive levels. He is great at connecting with kids, and he ensures every athlete feels heard and understood, while maintaining a structured and progressive coaching plan tailored to each skill level.
As Head Coach for the Let’s Play Pickleball Program, Coach T oversees fellow coaches and assistants, ensuring sessions run smoothly and effectively. Working alongside Program Director Ta Ming, he plays a vital role in the program’s growth, including designing curriculum. Coach T is committed to the positive impact of pickleball on young athletes—teaching fundamentals, encouraging sportsmanship, and providing a trusted support system for athletes and parents.
Raine Kim
Head Coach
Raine discovered pickleball about two years ago and quickly fell in love with its perfect blend of social connection, friendly competition, and accessibility. She now plays competitively with the University of Washington’s pickleball team—Go Dawgs! Raine is passionate about introducing new players to the game and sharing the joy that pickleball brings.
Felix Long
Head Coach
Felix is a senior at the University of Washington who loves to play pickleball in his free time. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Felix learned how to play pickleball with his best friends in the summer of 2023. From simple recreational play, they quickly became competitive. Now, every time Felix returns home, he and his friends make sure to play pickleball daily as it became their primary hobby. Felix plans to continue playing with his friends and has thought about taking his skills to future tournaments. Felix loves working with kids, especially because of his 7 year old little brother, whom he plans to teach the art of pickleball. Felix is stoked to continue assistant coaching and is looking forward for what the future seasons hold!
Hathaway Bush
Assistant Coach
Hathaway first discovered her love for pickleball during her senior year of high school and hasn’t wanted to put her paddle down since. What began as a social activity with friends quickly turned into a competitive passion. Now, as a member of the University of Washington Pickleball Club, Hathaway continues to sharpen her skills and share her enthusiasm for the game. She’s especially excited to coach others, helping players build confidence, improve their skills, and enjoy pickleball as much as she does!
Peter Tran
Assistant Coach
Coach Peter believes pickleball is more than just a sport. It is a way for people of all ages to connect, grow, and have fun together. Known for his patience, focus, and calm teaching style, Peter creates an encouraging environment where players feel supported and motivated to reach their potential. He emphasizes that mindset is just as important as skill, helping players manage stress, stay composed under pressure, and build confidence both on and off the court.
Peter loves working with kids for their curiosity, energy, and eagerness to learn. He believes we are all connected and share the responsibility of building a stronger, more mindful community for the future. When he is not coaching, you can often find him playing pickleball or basketball with friends, family, and neighbors, continuing to build the sense of connection that makes the game so meaningful to him.
Ross Chow
Assistant Coach
Ross has been passionate about pickleball for over two decades, first discovering the sport in the early 1980s and returning to it in 2010—where it quickly became a lifelong passion. He loves sharing that enthusiasm with young players, helping them build confidence, learn new skills, and experience the joy of active play.
Ross brings years of mentoring and coaching experience to the court. From 2008 to 2016, he coached and scheduled games for Pacific Little League, fostering teamwork and sportsmanship across hundreds of youth players.
As a coach, Ross focuses on positivity, patience, and inclusivity—making sure every student feels welcome and supported. He believes games are one of the best ways to build both confidence and character. Outside of coaching, Ross enjoys spending time with his two college-aged sons, exploring new tabletop and role-playing games, and finding creative ways to bring storytelling and teamwork into everything he does.
Matt Grimme
Assistant Coach
Matt first picked up pickleball in high school and was immediately drawn to the sport's unique mix of competition and community. Matt loves the opportunity to stay active with friends and family. Over the years, pickleball has remained a constant source of activity and connection. Matt is excited to share his love of the game with new players!
Bryan Saeteurn
Assistant Coach
Bryan has played tennis for over six years and began coaching the sport this year, bringing his on-court experience and enthusiasm to his players. Before coaching tennis, he spent two years coaching ultimate frisbee, where he developed a strong foundation in communication, teamwork, and adaptable coaching methods.
Recently, Bryan discovered pickleball and has been playing for about six months. He enjoys how the sport combines strategy, skill, and community, and he’s passionate about helping players build confidence and have fun while improving their game.
Eric Nguyen
Assistant Coach
Hello, my name is Eric Nguyen. I’m a sophomore at the University of Washington. I’m from a small town called Longview, Washington, and attended Robert A. Long High School. There, I participated in basketball, soccer, and tennis. I graduated from Lower Columbia College with an Associate’s degree. My long-term goal is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Washington. In my free time, I’ve been playing pickleball for four years and am currently a member of the University of Washington pickleball team!