An 85-year-old veteran, completely blind, showed up to a recent clinic planning to sit back and watch. By the end of the session, he was one of the happiest players on the court.

Moments like that are why Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS) exists. The national nonprofit uses adaptive pickleball to help veterans recover, reconnect and compete. This Veterans Day, we’re spotlighting how MACS works, what pickleball has meant to the veterans in its clinics, and how the pickleball community can help.

What is Military Adaptive Court Sports?

MACS is a national nonprofit focused on the physical, mental and social well-being of veterans with physical disabilities, wounded service members and their families. Its mission is to make sure injury or disability is never a barrier to competition, camaraderie, community or a healthy lifestyle.

Lt. Commander Steven Harper, U.S. Navy (Retired), founded the organization. Today a nationwide network of coaches, volunteers and community partners runs MACS clinics in cities across the United States.

The program is growing fast. With support from the Department of Veterans Affairs, MACS reached more than 1,500 veterans through its clinics this past year, according to the organization. Since it started teaching pickleball in 2019, it has reached more than 7,500. 

Why pickleball works for veterans

Many veterans leave the military carrying service-connected injuries, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) or a lost sense of community. Pickleball is quick to learn and adapts to a wide range of abilities. Veterans can play standing, from a sports wheelchair, while recovering from an injury or while adjusting to a new disability.

The physical benefits include better balance, coordination and endurance, built at each player’s own pace. The veterans in MACS clinics talk most about what happens off the court.

Participants have told MACS they sleep better, feel less irritable at home and feel closer to their families, especially their kids. Some say the intrusive suicidal thoughts they had before joining have stopped. Many say they finally have something to look forward to every week.

“Before joining MACS, I never imagined I’d be playing sports again. This program gave me back a sense of purpose, community, and confidence I hadn’t felt in years.”
U.S. Army Veteran, MACS Participant

Inside a 6-week MACS clinic

MACS runs a turnkey program built around 6-week clinics, held in partnership with VA Medical Centers around the country. Each week, veterans work through a structured lesson, building fundamentals, technique and strategy one step at a time.

Clinics typically include 8 to 12 veterans, and coaches tailor them to a wide range of disabilities, including:

• Mobility impairments and amputations
• Neurological injuries
• Blindness and visual impairments
• Invisible wounds such as PTSD

MACS also works with veteran organizations, rehabilitation programs, recreation departments and industry partners to remove common barriers to playing: equipment, instruction, court access and cost.

The veteran who planned to sit out

At a recent clinic for veterans who are blind or visually impaired, one 85-year-old participant arrived sure that playing wasn’t possible for him. His plan was to watch and enjoy the company.

A MACS coach worked with him one-on-one. The coach fed him balls, helped him find his position and talked him through every swing. Step by step, he started making contact.

By the end of the session, he was competing, having fun and cheering louder than almost anyone else on the court.

“Life is for living, not just existing. At Military Adaptive Court Sports, we believe every veteran deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of competition, the friendships of camaraderie, and the freedom of movement. Through adaptive court sports, especially pickleball, we’re proving that a disability doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines. It means finding a new way to get in the game!”
Gabe George, MACS Pickleball Director

From clinic to competition with DUPR

For many veterans, finishing a clinic is the start. Plenty of graduates want to keep playing and enter competitive events.

MACS plans to introduce DUPR Coaching and ratings so those veterans can take that next step. A DUPR rating is built from real match results on a 2.000 to 8.000 scale. That gives every player a fair number for finding the right bracket, partner and level of play. 

Veterans new to rated play can get a starting point through a Coach-Assigned DUPR Rating from a credentialed DUPR Coach. From there, every logged match sharpens the number.

Over the next year, MACS is on track to introduce more than 2,000 veterans and active duty service members to pickleball. Some of them could be at your club’s open play soon.

How to support veterans this Veterans Day

Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces. MACS believes the best way to honor that service is to invest in what comes next for veterans. Here’s how the pickleball community can help:

• Volunteer as an instructor. MACS needs coaches to lead clinics in cities nationwide.
• Help behind the scenes. Volunteers coordinate between local instructors, VA Medical Centers and recreation facilities.
• Donate. About $150 covers one veteran for a full 6-week clinic. Donations help pay for court rentals and instructor expenses, which average about $5,000 per clinic. Give through the MACS GoFundMe.
• Follow and share. Find MACS on Facebook and Instagram.

“MACS gave me more than just a chance to play again. It gave me purpose, belonging, and the courage to keep moving forward.”
U.S. Veteran, MACS Participant

Conclusion

That 85-year-old veteran walked in expecting to watch and walked out a pickleball player. MACS is creating that same moment for thousands of veterans across the country. This Veterans Day, thank the veterans at your club, support a MACS clinic, and if you’re a veteran ready to compete, create your free DUPR account and log your first match.

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