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, him and his friends quickly became competitive. Now, every time Felix returns home, him 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!
Ferrin Essence
Program Coordinator
With a background in education and a focus on equity and inclusion, Ferrin is dedicated to creating opportunities where all kids can thrive. As Program Coordinator, they work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly—managing logistics, supporting coaches, and growing the program to reach more kids and families.
A lifelong fan of sports and games, Ferrin believes in the power of play to build confidence, foster community, and encourage teamwork. They’re passionate about providing kids with the chance to explore sports and develop valuable life skills. They’re especially proud of working with a talented team of coaches who bring energy and passion to every session.