Gary Bucci – PPR Certified Coach (owner)
Bringing 25+ years of coaching various sports along with 30 + years of Racquet playing experience makes him very well suited to
help you elevate your play! He loves the challenge of making someone better and has an energy level that will motivate players old and young alike!
With years of playing competitive racquetball and winning numerous tournaments it was an easy transition to Pickleball and now plays quite regularly in both RI and Florida. Loving the sport of pickleball as he does, combined with his enthusiastic coaching style makes it easy to stay motivated and learn rather quickly.
Whether you want to just have fun, or get serious at a competitive level, Gary can help you with any aspect of the game; serving, drop shots, how to deal with hard hitters and more. Book a session with Gary today.
Chris O’Neill – PPR Certified Coach (owner)
Chris is one Centerline’s key instructors. He brings 40+ years of Racquet Sport experience (Racquetball, Squash, Tennis and Table Tennis) In addition to his racquet experience, he brings 30+ years of coaching Youth and High Schoolers in multiple sports (Hockey/Baseball).
He’s been teaching Pickleball for the past two years and is PPR Certified coach. Chris plays at an advance level and has competed in tournaments around New England and Florida. As one of the owners at Centerline, Chris is dedicated to fostering a supportive and and inclusive pickleball community. He actively welcomes new players and creates a positive and fun environment so everyone feels welcome and encouraged to improve.
Whether a beginner or an advance player refining their skills, Chris is committed to providing guidance and support every step of the way. Be sure to book a private lesson or join one of his clinics.
Lisa Mackay
Lisa has held a racquet in her hand since she was 8 years old. Originally from Rhode Island, she began playing in local state tennis tournaments and then progressed toregional and national tournaments. During her university days, she played #2 singles and #1 doubles for division 1 school. She continued her love for tennis by teaching tennis while attending graduate school in Washington, DC.
After a move to California, Lisa returned to Rhode Island in 2015 and expanded her love for racquet sports including Paddle, tennis, squash and pickleball. Lisa has enjoyed playing in local and regional pickleball tournaments including the US Open at Flushing Meadows. Lisa has expanded her interest in teaching racquet sports by including Pickleball lessons this past year.
She believes strongly that Pickleball can provide older adults a way to stay active and social at a time in their lives when that may become more difficult. Lisa has a special knack for helping beginners to feel confident and comfortable in the sport. If you are an experienced pickleball player she is also happy to help you get to the next level. She is excited to help support the growth of the sport in her home state working at Centerline.
M.J. (Mary Jean) Miniati – Certified PPR Coach
M.J. Miniati is the Founder and Director of Fitness and Fun at More Joy Pickleball based in South County R.I. M.J. was also recently chosen by USA Pickleball – the national governing body – to be an Ambassador for Pickleball in RI. A lifelong multi-sport athlete, she competed as a D1AA Scholarship swimmer at the University of Rhode Island and holds a master’s degree in Sport Management from University of Massachusetts.
M.J. has coached numerous sports throughout her career prior to discovering Pickleball over ten years ago. M.J. has introduced over 4,000 players of all ages and skill levels to the game. Her enthusiasm is infectious, ensuring that all players enjoy their pickleball experience. M.J. is a firm believer that she can teach ANYONE how to play Pickleball. She especially enjoys coaching “Learn to Play” – stressing the FUNdamentals of the game – and coaching players and those with limited athletic experience to help them reach their full potential.
Dante Bellini – Owner
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Dante first learned about pickleball while attending Toll Gate High School (class of ‘02) in Warwick, RI. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that he reconnected with the sport through playing in a league with friends that he became a passionate player in his own right. The jump from occasional hobby to obsession became more pronounced with each passing year. In early 2021, he had begun putting business plans together for an indoor facility. The plans evolved, and finding a team and a facility proved to be difficult. That dream would finally begin to become a reality when Centerline Pickleball LLC was incorporated in October of 2023.
When he’s not lobbing and dinking his way around a court, Dante can usually be found at one of Rhode Island’s wonderful beaches with his wife Liz and their two small children or at Providence City Hall, where Dante serves as the Controller for the City of Providence.
Chris Conti (PPR Certified Coach)
Chris is a Warwick native and current Knightville resident who has become a well known fixture within the Cranston pickleball community. A lifetime of racquetball and tennis experience led him to his newfound obsession with pickleball, and Chris is now ready and eager to lead his students on their pickleball journey, providing fundamental techniques and tactical strategies with an engaging and down-to-earth approach. Chris is an avid Singles player, and recently took home the silver medal at the 2024 Senior Games. He’s also an official brand ambassador for Sixzero.
Peter Kaczmarzyk – Certified IPTPA Coach.
Peter is a former Tennis Pro who played professionally in Europe. Peter eventually made his way to Florida where he taught tennis for many years to all age groups. Peter was fortunate to have coached some of the top juniors in the country. Peter then converted to Pickleball and has been teaching and coaching pickleball for the past several years. Peter has taught over 1,000 youths during the past few years and is ready to work with our Youth programs and clinics at Centerline.
Alicia Turner – PPR Certified Associate Coach
Alicia has played a variety of sports over the years. Soccer, softball and now pickleball which was love at first dink. She has been playing pickleball for 3 years recreationally and competitively and is now a PPR Certified Associate Coach.
Alicia enjoys the contrast of team sports to the partnership of pickleball and she offers a unique coaching style as a result. Not surprisingly, she assigns high value to teamwork and often illustrates the connection between foundational mechanics and teamwork. She can help improve the foundational mechanics of the basic shots; serve, drive, drop, or dink. Alicia can also help with court positioning and optimization. Alicia plans to help grow our Youth and High School programs along with private lessons and clinics for everyone.
