When Jason Perez, Director of Conejo Valley Pickleball in Southern California, traveled to Germany, he didn’t expect to spark a new chapter in the global pickleball movement. But that’s exactly what happened—thanks to a single paddle, a passion for the sport, and DUPR, the world's leading pickleball ratings system.

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Playing Under Bridges and Building a Community

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In Munich, a German city with no official pickleball courts, local players had been improvising—chalking lines on concrete, playing in parking lots and even under historic bridges when the river was low.

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“They play as much as they can,” Jason said. “Sometimes the police come and kick them out, but they’re out there whenever possible.”

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Despite the limited infrastructure, the enthusiasm was palpable. Many were tennis players trying to shift their community toward pickleball—but lacked an organizational framework.

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Enter DUPR: A Global Connection Tool

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Jason introduced the group to DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), which they had only seen from watching pro matches online. Once they understood how DUPR could bring structure and credibility to their local play, everything changed.

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The German players wasted no time — they approached Jason, asking if they could start a digital club and track their ratings. By the very next day, they had made it happen, launching a DUPR digital pickleball club in Germany within hours.

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A Sister Club Across the Atlantic

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What started as a casual open play session evolved into an international connection. The new German pickleball club named “Pickleball Crew Germany” and Jason’s Conejo Valley group now operate as sister clubs, sharing resources, rating guidance, and community support.

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“It turns out to be somebody that I would say is a friend—or friends—in Germany,” Jason shared. “They now have their DUPR club and they’re asking how we do things. It’s a fun community.”

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Overcoming Obstacles with Creativity

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Without the luxury of dedicated pickleball facilities, the German players have shown remarkable resourcefulness—renting gymnasiums, using rubber courts, and even transforming concrete slabs into playable surfaces. Some players discovered pickleball while visiting the U.S., returning with paddles, nets, and a mission to bring the sport home.

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Now, they’re not only playing regularly—they’re hosting tournaments, tracking DUPR ratings, and expanding their reach across nearby cities.

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Why This Matters

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This story perfectly illustrates how DUPR isn’t just a pickleball rating system—it’s a global community builder. Whether you’re in California or Cologne, DUPR empowers players and clubs to:

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