‘Pickleball for all’: Montgomery County Public Schools offering varsity pickleball this fall

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) – Last fall, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) became the first school district in the nation to pilot pickleball as a corollary sport at 11 high school. Now, they’re expanding the sport to all 25 high schools.

Pickleball has quickly taken over the country, and this fall, the sport will be played at the varsity level in all MCPS’ schools.

“Pickleball for all,” Jeffery Sullivan, MCPS’ director of systemwide athletics, said. “It is an extremely inclusive sport that spans all ages, all demographics.”

The sport is expanding across the district thanks to a partnership with D.C.’s Major League Pickleball Team and, Joola, the largest pickleball equipment company in the world, which is owned by an MCPS alum.

“Look at what is happening today,” Richard Lee, owner of Joola, said. “Varsity high school pickleball. First ever in the world. Just absolutely incredible.”

Alex Gomez Ordonez played varsity pickleball last fall.

“It’s actually special in my heart because to actually represent Blair,” Ordonez said. “I love Blair a lot. Representing Blair in pickleball, doing my best to help win games and all that stuff.”

And he’s excited for the additional schools he’ll face this season.

“More competition means more wins,” Ordonez said. “I get to wreck the other schools and keep Blair alive.”

Coaches said pickleball is more than just a sport for students, it’s a way to bring them out of their shells.

“A little shy with even playing the game because it was their first time,” varsity pickleball coach Trish Wayersai said. “But as they got better, it was exciting for them.”

MCPS officials say one of the main goals for adding pickleball is to encourage more students to get involved in varsity sports.

“The lessons they learn from being part of a team and cheering their teammates on, it’s all really great to see,” Varsity coach Beth Sanchez said.

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