Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland is set to expand its groundbreaking pickleball program to all 25 high schools in the county, making it a varsity sport this fall.

This is the first time we've heard of pickleball being adopted by an entire school district.

How it started

This initiative follows a successful pilot program launched in the fall of 2023, when MCPS became the first county to introduce pickleball as a varsity sport to provide access and opportunities for students with disabilities. Previously, pickleball was only available at 11 schools.

This expansion is made possible through a partnership with the D.C. Pickleball Team and JOOLA, the Maryland-based pickleball manufacturer.

This collaboration ensures that high school students across the county will have the opportunity to participate in the sport.

“We are excited to expand our groundbreaking pickleball program to all 25 MCPS high schools, as we strive to provide additional participation opportunities for our student-athletes,” said Dr. Jeff Sullivan, MCPS director of athletics.

“Interest in pickleball continues to explode at all age levels across the world, and we look forward to partnering with the D.C. Pickleball Team and JOOLA to bring this excitement to our student-athletes. Pickleball is an inclusive sport that fits perfectly with our corollary sports program, which provides additional opportunities for students with and without disabilities.

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"This initiative is directly aligned with our R.A.I.S.E. core values of equity, access and spirited competition, and will provide a foundation of success for pickleball across our county.”

Where it's going

With this expansion, pickleball will become the fall varsity interscholastic corollary sport at MCPS. The corollary sports program aims to increase participation in interscholastic athletics for all students, particularly those with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities in sports.

With this announcement, it will be interesting to see if other school districts follow suit and how quickly these programs are adapted on a national level.

The future of pickleball is brighter (and younger) than ever!