The Chattanooga Iron Paddles are a professional pickleball team owned by Michael Scott, Sal Robertson, and Ash Barton. Built with intention and vision, Iron Paddles brings together elite 35+ athletes from across the United States, united by competitive excellence, resilience, and unmistakable personality.

Forged with strength and sharpened by experience, this roster is made up of proven competitors who thrive under pressure and play with both fire and discipline. Every athlete brings a distinct edge—whether through strategy, athleticism, or mental toughness—creating a team culture that values individuality while competing as a cohesive force.

Proudly representing Chattanooga, Iron Paddles reflects the spirit of a city known for grit, innovation, and outdoor toughness. Nestled between mountains and rivers, Chattanooga is a place where strength is built, challenges are embraced, and hard work speaks louder than words—values that define this team on and off the court.

The Chattanooga Iron Paddles are not just building a roster—they’re building a standard. Competitive, confident, and forged to endure, this team is ready to leave its mark on professional pickleball.

THE IRON PADDLES 2026 ROSTER:

Ash Barton - Chattanooga TN
Sarah Rogers - Cocoa Beach, FL
Patrick Leistner - Panama City Beach, FL
Chris Dawson - Chattanooga, TN
Sal Robertson - Chattanooga TN
Chantay Foley - Canton, GA
Danny Hunt - Columbus OH
Hanah Curtis - Murphy, NC
Lucy Baker - England and Norwalk, CT 
Helene Waters - UK and Arlington, VA
Kelly Wingo - Tuscaloosa, AL
Alex Tran - Nashville, TN
Victor Wu - Nashville, TN
Rich Lively - Chattanooga TN

ABOUT THE OWNERS

Sal has been playing pickleball since 2019, bringing with him a strong competitive sports background that includes professional table tennis. His love for the game, paired with his analytical, engineer-minded approach, led him to start Element 6 Pickleball, where he and his brother Matt set out to create high-quality paddles and nets at a fair price point. Element 6 Pickleball began with a simple idea: a passionate player who loved being on the court, valued the community the sport creates, and believed players deserved better equipment than what was available. That belief turned into a mission — and ultimately, a brand. When the opportunity to own a team became available, Sal jumped in without hesitation. He had been searching for a competitive team format that matched his level of play while still emphasizing connection and camaraderie. Building community while competing at a high level has become one of his greatest passions in the sport. Sal is also the Head Teaching Pro at Revolve Pickleball, where he loves helping players grow their game. When he’s not on the courts at home, you’ll find him traveling to tournaments, chasing competition, and doing what he enjoys most — meeting new people through pickleball.

Michael brings a deep passion for pickleball, having played for several years alongside his wife and family. With a competitive tennis background from his college years, he was immediately intrigued when he first stepped onto a pickleball court — drawn to both the strategy and the accessibility of the game.A successful entrepreneur by nature, Michael quickly recognized the potential of a team-based professional format. When the opportunity arose, he jumped in wholeheartedly, connecting Ash and Sal to help bring Chattanooga Iron Paddles to life. As the driving force behind the vision, Michael keeps the train moving through innovative thinking, big-picture leadership, and exceptional communication. His ability to connect people and ideas has been instrumental in building not just a team, but a culture rooted in collaboration, competition, and community

Ash started playing pickleball in 2019 at the encouragement of her mom. Coming from a competitive basketball background, she immediately connected with the team aspect of the sport and loved rediscovering competition as an adult. As a mom, pickleball offered her the perfect balance — a way to compete fiercely while still being present and available for her kids. She quickly became deeply involved in building the local pickleball community, launching a youth pickleball program through FCA Sports to introduce kids to the game. Ash began working at Revolve Pickleball at its launch and transitioned into the full-time Pickleball Director role in 2025. In addition to directing programs and leagues, Ash is a teaching pro who is passionate about helping players improve their skills and confidence on the court. She enjoys traveling to compete in tournaments and was quick to jump at the opportunity to be part of team ownership, helping build Chattanooga Iron Paddles from the ground up.