MLP Presents Pickleball Night in America: MLP Austin 2022 Alternate Night

As anticipation builds for the upcoming Summer Olympics, pickleball enthusiasts find themselves asking a familiar question: why hasn't pickleball earned its place in the Olympic Games? 

The answer lies in the intricate process of gaining recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a journey fraught with challenges and complexities.

At the heart of pickleball's Olympic aspirations lies the need for recognition from the IOC, which meticulously evaluates several key factors before considering a sport for inclusion in the Olympics. These factors include popularity and participation, international federation recognition, global reach, and alignment with Olympic values.

Ryan Maher, Vice President of Commercial Operations at DUPR, acknowledges the hurdles facing pickleball's Olympic journey. 

Despite the sport's surging popularity, Maher emphasizes that the path to Olympic recognition is far from straightforward. "There's a lot more politics and money that goes into it," Maher explains, dispelling the common misconception that popularity alone guarantees Olympic inclusion.

One significant obstacle hindering pickleball's Olympic aspirations is the absence of a unified international governing body. 

On May 15, 2024, United Pickleball Association (UPA), which owns Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), announced the launch of United Pickleball Association of America (UPA-A) as the new National Governing Body (NGB) of the sport. 

Although USA Pickleball (USAP) has historically been the self-appointed NGB since 1984, the emergence of UPA-A challenges this status, particularly because pickleball is not yet recognized as an Olympic sport. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) would designate an official NGB if pickleball became Olympic-recognized, providing funding and legislative support while establishing a monopoly over the sport's management.

Both UPA-A and USAP aim to become the definitive authority, offering various solutions and improvements. However, this rivalry might lead to issues such as differing rating systems, paddle approval lists, and rule sets, which could create chaos and hinder the sport's unified development. 

Maher elaborates, "A sport is not going to make it into the Olympics when you have so much political tension within the sport around who is the governing body internationally."

“The reality of it is that we're so early in the sport’s growth - not early in the sport, it's been around for a while - but so early on in this massive boom. We're not done seeing people coming in and trying to kind of take hold of the space. And it's just going to take a while for that all to tease out.”

DUPR, while not directly involved in federation politics, plays a pivotal role in standardizing player ratings globally, a critical aspect for Olympic consideration. Maher elucidates, "What DUPR is creating is a pathway from the amateur side all the way up to the pro side, which leads into the Olympic side." 

“If a country is sending their delegation of users to the Olympics, how do they know who those people are? Those players play in local events, earn their way to regional or national events, and that is all facilitated by the programming around a rating. With DUPR being aligned with the PPA and MLP, the two largest pro organizations in the sport. That's just where the rating side of the sport is going. That is a big piece of countries around the world, all filtering into these pathways for the sport to be entered in the Olympics as well.”

Financial considerations also loom large in pickleball's quest for Olympic recognition. Maher draws parallels with squash, another sport that faced a prolonged journey to Olympic inclusion. He notes, "It wasn't until the billionaires got involved that squash made its way." 

Another significant challenge highlighted by Maher is the standardization of equipment regulations, particularly paddle standards. As paddle technology advances, ensuring uniform standards becomes imperative to maintain fairness and integrity in the sport. 

“We need to standardize internationally. If we don't have someone who's governing standards internationally, that could be an issue," Maher says.

Despite the obstacles, Maher remains cautiously optimistic about pickleball's Olympic prospects. He suggests a realistic timeline, indicating that Olympic inclusion might not occur before 2036 but says, "There's no doubt in my mind that it will be someday."

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Pickleball, the sport that has captured the hearts of millions, is growing exponentially across the United States. Among its most enthusiastic players are the young athletes who represent the future of this dynamic sport. The National Junior Pickleball (NJP) organization is at the forefront of this youth movement, providing an unparalleled platform for junior players to compete, learn, and grow. With events like those held across the nation, NJP is transforming the landscape of youth pickleball and creating unforgettable experiences for young athletes and their families.

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The NJP Experience

The excitement and friendship of NJP tournaments are palpable from the moment the kids step onto the courts. Maverick, a 12-year-old player, encapsulates the spirit of these events perfectly:

“NJP is the absolute BEST tournament for Juniors. In both Arizona and Missouri, there was nonstop pickle play, great kids, and fun times on and off the court.”

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He reflects on the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that NJP strives to foster, where every match is an opportunity not just for competition, but for making lasting memories and friendships.

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Ariana A, aged 13, also shared her enthusiasm about her NJP experience:

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“My first NJP experience was simply amazing! Everyone involved in the organization of this event was kind, welcoming, and extremely supportive. They did a fantastic job of running a fair and smooth tournament. I got to compete and become friends with exceptionally talented kids from around the country. Overall, it was a fun and pleasant experience and I can’t wait to participate in the next National Junior Pickleball event!!”

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From ensuring fair play to creating a supportive environment, NJP's commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of their events.

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DUPR’s Role at NJP

Courtney Loughridge, founder of  NJP, agrees that the common story among parents of players is that there is a lack of recreational games for kids.

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“Parents say that their kid only plays rec with adults, don’t have any kids to play with and they don’t want to play against adults in tournaments. We don’t know where they fit in or what their true skill level is.” Courtney says.

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NJP has continuously supported the growth of pickleball by utilizing the DUPR platform at the start of every junior's pickleball journey.

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“On the first evening of the event, NJP evaluators watch during skills clinic and king of the court style open play to ensure players are in the correct general skill bucket of beginner, intermediate, and advanced, as well as age groups of 12U, 14U, and 18U”, Courtney states.

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DUPR has been a way for the Juniors to play competitive games within their age and skill in singles, doubles, and team events with players from all around the country.

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She adds “all of these matches are reported to DUPR, so they have an accurate skill rating by the end of the event”. 

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The use of DUPR at NJP tournaments has led Juniors to easily find level-based clinics, leagues, and tournaments regardless of age in tournaments outside of the league as well.

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“Once Juniors have a DUPR, they can more easily know where they should register and can use their DUPR to track their pickleball journey as they grow and develop”, Courtney says. 

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The NJP Championships in October will be seeded accordingly using DUPR ratings, to help ensure that brackets are fair and balanced throughout the field. 

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A Community of Support

One of the standout features of NJP is the strong sense of community it builds among participants and their families. Tina L, mother of 10-year-old Madison, expresses her gratitude for the organization’s family-friendly approach:

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“As a parent, I’m thrilled that NJP is geared to benefit the kids!! They have so much fun and play so many games! Kids and parents building new friendships! It reminded us of our travel soccer club days!”

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The round-robin play format ensures a fair and competitive experience, as brackets are organized by similar skill levels and age groups, allowing participants to compete against peers of comparable ability. Beyond the excitement on the courts, players can enjoy a variety of perks, including free swag. The top three winners in each age and skill division will be honored with medals and a podium ceremony, celebrating their achievements in style. Additionally, the event provides opportunities to connect off the courts, fostering lasting memories and networking with potential partners and sponsors, enhancing the overall experience for all attendees. NJP events are also designed to allow players to meet and get to know each other before committing to a team. Players can sign up for the tournament with or without a doubles partner or team.

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Empowering the Next Generation

The mission of NJP goes beyond organizing tournaments; it is about empowering young athletes and helping them reach their full potential. By providing a structured yet enjoyable environment, NJP helps players develop their skills, gain confidence, and learn important life lessons through sport. The organization’s dedication to youth development is evident in every aspect of its operations, from the high-quality facilities to the professional and supportive staff.

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Looking Ahead

As NJP continues to grow and expand, the future looks incredibly bright for young pickleball players across the country! With each tournament, NJP not only showcases the talent of junior athletes but also strengthens the pickleball community, one match at a time.

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For more information about upcoming events and how to get involved, visit the National Junior Pickleball website. Whether you’re a young player eager to compete, a parent looking to support your child’s passion, or a pickleball enthusiast wanting to witness the future of the sport, NJP offers something truly special. Join the NJP community and be part of the exciting journey as we nurture the next generation of pickleball stars!

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• RacquetX conference in Miami revealed rise of the ‘cross-court consumer’
• Venues are diversifying to meet demand for pickleball, padel and tennis
• Although some are playing multiple racquet sports, others ‘stay in their lane’

It's no secret that pickleball has a somewhat fractious relationship with tennis as the sports battle for real estate in country clubs and public spaces across the US. But could that rivalry turn into companionship as the racquet sports family becomes ever more diverse? That was the main takeaway from the inaugural RacquetX festival at Miami Beach Convention Center in March, which brought pickleball, tennis, padel, POP tennis and other racquet/paddle swinging cousins together to learn from each other, network, and find common ground. '

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A rising tide lifts all ships,' as the saying goes. Or, as one speaker at RacquetX cleverly put it, 'It's time to love all!' 

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‍Research by RacquetX revealed the emergence of a 'cross-court consumer' with 43% of responders playing more than one racquet sport in the last year or intending to diversify their play. The research also noted tremendous growth potential in public courts and clubs opening up access for all market segments (pickleball, tennis, padel, etc.). Venues are already adapting to this more diverse consumer demand. Life Time Fitness has introduced pickleball at many of its 200+ locations across the US. Life Time Tempe in Phoenix, AZ, has converted three outdoor tennis courts into 12 pickleball courts and an additional three indoors, replacing a basketball court. They host the bi-annual Life Time Tempe Fall Classic, regional tournaments, events for two local universities and a junior program. 

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Norma Sedillo, Tennis and Pickleball Coordinator at Life Time Tempe, said,

"Pickleball was not initially embraced by the tennis community here. It was seen as the ugly duckling. But things changed. I'd say 50% of my tennis players are now playing pickleball - but they are not abandoning tennis. They are playing both.” "They still have their strong ties within tennis but those communities are transitioning into pickleball. Once they start moving, they move in waves - the friendships remain but they are spending time together on both types of court." 

Life Time's venue in Westchester, NY, has pickleball, tennis, and squash courts over 2,000 sq ft, whereas Life Time Sky in Manhattan (with two pickleball courts) has to be more selective with its use of space. Sky's Lead Pickleball Pro, Andy Peeke, hasn't witnessed a huge amount of cross-pollination between racquet sports. 

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"There's an incredible demand for pickleball so we have to follow that demand in deciding what to do with the space we have," he says. "If your four tennis courts aren't at capacity and there is demand for pickleball, clubs notice pretty quickly they can fit in 16 pickleball courts and not only quadruple their profits, but quadruple community satisfaction."

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 He describes Life Time Sky as "possibly the most DUPR-heavy club in the country:

"Here, your DUPR rating is your passport. If you're a 4.49 you're not entering a 4.5, otherwise we'd end up with a public park type of system. We're getting super competitive, but most of all, people love being part of our community."

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On the first weekend in May 2024, Life Time Penn 1 opened its new pickleball courts with exhibitions by Andre Agassi, Kim Clijsters, Tyson McGuffin and Life Time founder, chairman and CEO Bahram Akradi.Across the Atlantic, Imber Court Sports Club in southwest London (built on land formerly owned by King Henry VIII) has two pickleball courts, four padel courts and 15 tennis courts (four of those tennis courts will soon be converted into six padel and four pickleball courts). Clinton Lamprecht, founder of England Sports Group which coordinates all sports activities at the club, says he doesn't recognize the emergence of the so-called cross-court consumer. 

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"We haven't seen cross-pollination," he states. "People here tend to find their tribe and stick with it. We've probably only got half a dozen members who will actively play pickleball and padel. I'm curious to see whether we'll see more of that over the years." 

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Although Clinton believes tennis will suffer in the short term as pickleball and padel grow, he does believe in the 'rising tide lifts all ships' theory.

"The new sports are going to lower participation levels in tennis, there's no doubt about that. But it's also going to create opportunities for everyone in the racquet sports sector to increase participation overall between those three different racquet sports."

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 While demand from individuals to play multiple racquet sports doesn't appear to be universal yet, clubs are recognizing the need to diversify their offering of court types and appeal to all sectors. In time, this may lead to the racquet sports co-existing more happily and appreciating the potential of learning and thriving together.