Pickleball isn’t just a fast-rising sport. It’s a global community that is growing bigger and bigger.
Testament to this communal spirit is the impending pickleball exchange between China and the US—two countries that have had tensions in recent years—that will happen in a few weeks.
Come April the Mainland will be welcoming students from selected public schools in the US for some pickleball banter and a few matches here and there. The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), announced the pickleball partnership, with students from different public schools in the state of Maryland making the pickleball exchange trip to China.
A total of 31 student-athletes from MCPS will partake in the trip, which will take place from 9 to 21 April in three different cities in China: Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing. According to MCPS, the pickleball exchange trip will foster camaraderie among the students, build positive relations with their Chinese counterparts, share cultural experiences, and play some friendly pickleball competitions against China’s best picklers.
“We are honoured and excited to represent MCPS in this incredible opportunity to showcase the powerful impact of athletics in bringing people together,” said Jeffrey Sullivan, Director of Systemwide Athletics at MCPS. “Pickleball is an inclusive sport that embodies our R.A.I.S.E. core values for MCPS Athletics and we look forward to engaging in spirited competition, while learning and embracing Chinese culture.”
Incidentally, MCPS was the first school district in the US to offer pickleball as a varsity sport, offering it at 11 high schools starting in 2023. Then, in 2024, MCPS expanded the pickleball program to all 25 high schools under the mantra “Pickleball for ALL.” According to MCPS officials, pickleball’s inclusivity is a major reason it first offered pickleball as a varsity sport.
To prepare for their trip, the 31 student-athletes are participating in weekly pickleball practices, according to MCPS. They are also taking part in Chinese cultural engagement sessions.
These weekly practices are being supported by Dill Dinkers, a nationwide community of state-of-the-art indoor pickleball facilities, and JOOLA, the world’s largest pickleball company. The former is providing venues for the practices, while the latter is providing paddles and apparel.
