USA Pickleball and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Announce National Partnership to Grow Youth Access to Pickleball
Press Release
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — USA Pickleball, the National Governing Body for the sport, today announced a national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), a transformative collaboration that will introduce pickleball to millions of youth across the country and significantly expand access to the fastest-growing sport in the United States.
Pickleball’s rapid rise continues to reshape the sports landscape, with more than 24.3 million people now playing nationwide. Over the past three years, participation has surged by 171%, marking the fourth consecutive year pickleball has been recognized as the fastest-growing sport in the country. Through this partnership, that growth will extend directly into communities where access to sport can have a lasting impact.
As part of the partnership, USA Pickleball becomes the official provider of pickleball programming for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, delivering equipment, resources, and structured programming designed to create sustainable, long-term engagement with the sport.
“This partnership is about more than growing the game; it is about creating access and opportunity where it matters most,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer of USA Pickleball. “Boys & Girls Clubs of America has set the standard for youth development in this country. By aligning with a partner that reaches millions of kids every year, we have the opportunity to introduce pickleball at scale and create lasting impact in communities nationwide.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America operates more than 5,500 locations nationwide, serving over four million young people each year, including Clubs on Native lands, U.S. military installations, and in public housing communities. Through this partnership, USA Pickleball will help integrate pickleball into Club programming at scale, exposing millions of youth to the sport in safe, supportive environments.
The initiative will deliver pickleball starter kits to Club locations nationwide, beginning with a major launch in Arizona that will reach all 75 Clubs across the state and more than 50,000 youth. Each kit includes Franklin paddles, balls, and nets, supported by custom training modules developed and approved by USA Pickleball to ensure consistent, high-quality programming year after year. The long-term vision is to bring the sport and these resources to millions of youth across the country.
To help accelerate the program, USA Pickleball will contribute an initial $100,000 investment to support implementation and growth and will also commit to installing one pickleball court annually at a Boys & Girls Club location.
This partnership builds on the impact of USA Pickleball Serves, the organization’s charitable arm, which is committed to making a positive national impact through the sport. USA Pickleball Serves supports community initiatives, including court enhancements, educational youth programs, and inclusive play.
From April 2024 through April 2026, USA Pickleball Serves has already made measurable progress:
- 936,356 individuals served
- 315,022 youth engaged
- 26,853 pickleballs provided
- 13,208 paddles supplied
- 530 nets donated
With the scale and reach of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, this partnership is expected to dramatically increase that impact, accelerating access to pickleball in communities nationwide.
“Sports play a critical role in how young people build confidence and develop leadership skills,” said Chad Hartman, National Vice President of Corporate Partnerships & Engagement at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Through this partnership with USA Pickleball, we’re expanding access to a fast-growing, highly accessible sport and ensuring that more youth can play, connect, and thrive. This is really about creating meaningful experiences for kids and teens through this sport – experiences that support their growth and success.”
At Boys & Girls Clubs, sports are intentionally integrated into a whole-child approach to youth development. National research shows that sports participation is linked to stronger academic outcomes, improved mental health, and leadership development. According to BGCA’s Youth Right Now survey, 94% of Club youth report having trusted adults they can turn to, and four in five know how to manage stress, demonstrating the critical role Clubs play in supporting young people.
At a time when the average cost of youth sports continues to rise, pricing many families out of participation, this partnership helps ensure that access to sport remains inclusive, community-driven, and affordable.
Together, USA Pickleball and Boys & Girls Clubs of America are creating a pathway for millions of young people to discover the game, build confidence, and experience the power of sport in their communities.
For more information, visit usapickleball.org.
About USA Pickleball
USA Pickleball is the official National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of pickleball in the United States. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, USA Pickleball is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the game while advancing its growth and development nationwide. The organization supports players, clubs, and communities by sanctioning premier tournaments, offering certified equipment testing, training referees, certifying facilities, and providing a wide range of educational resources. USA Pickleball also maintains and updates the official rules of the sport, ensuring consistency and fairness at every level of play. Led by a Board of Directors and a dedicated national office staff, USA Pickleball delivers the infrastructure and strategic vision necessary to fuel the continued expansion of pickleball across the country—benefiting members with exclusive access to events, programs, and tools that elevate their experience on and off the court.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Jennifer Rogers
USA Pickleball
jrogers@usapickleball.org
