This fall, pickleball will be a varsity sport at all 25 Montgomery County Public (MCPS) high schools. It is the first school system in the United States to do so.
During the previous year, the sport was offered at 11 high schools. It is being expanded thanks to a partnership with the D.C. Pickleball Team and JOOLA, the largest pickleball equipment company in the world.
“Pickleball for all” is the goal, explained MCPS Director of Athletics Dr. Jeff Sullivan. The district is adding pickleball to bocce and allied softball as team sports with an emphasis on inclusion for students with disabilities.
JOOLA, which is headquartered in Rockville, is donating the nets, paddles, balls and uniforms. Racquet Pro is offering coaching tips to the high school coaches.
To cover expenses, MCPS no longer will offer handball. Participation in that sport had dwindled down to only two high schools, according to Sullivan.
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz was at Winston Churchill High School Thursday to watch MCPS and D.C. Pickleball Team kick off the partnership.
Having lettered in varsity soccer and basketball when he attended Walt Whitman High School, Albornoz said he understands the importance of getting students involved in sports, especially now when young people struggle to recover from the pandemic.
Pickleball “brings people together in ways we’ve never seen before,” said Adam Behnke, D.C. Pickleball Team’s chief operating officer. Unlike football and soccer, parents can play pickleball with their children, he said.
Student-athletes, coaches and professionals came together for some exciting pickleball action at Winston Churchill High School.
Pickleball is set to become an inclusive fall varsity sport at MCPS, providing additional opportunities for students with and without disabilities. pic.twitter.com/doRf1RHIS4
— MCPS (@MCPS) July 25, 2024
MCPS is offering pickleball as a varsity sport at all 25 high schools. It's the 1st district in U.S. to do so.
With equipment & uniforms donated & money transferred from the athletic dept.'s handball program, there are no new costs for MCPS. @mymcmedia @MCPS @mcpsAD pic.twitter.com/qjPlcWZuz5— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) July 25, 2024
