Welcome to Episode 79 of the Future of Pickleball show. In this episode, Paul Olson welcomes Ron Ponder, pickleball referee, member of the USA Pickleball rules committee, and the chair of the Officiating Committee for the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF). Ron discusses his pickleball journey, how refereeing the sport has evolved over the years, rule changes, and the impact of paddle testing on gameplay. They discuss the responsibilities of pickleball referees, particularly regarding line calls, and the biases players may have. Most referees are dedicated to growing the sport of pickleball and want to do all they can to maintain fair play. Ron also shares the role of the Global Pickleball Federation in growing pickleball internationally, especially in Asia, and why there is a need for a unified governing body to help pickleball grow and eventually (hopefully) be added as an Olympic sport.