The Palm Spring PIckleball Club
Built on Belonging.
The Palm Springs Pickleball Club or The Pride, is Palm Springs' equality-forward pickleball community — where every serve advances inclusion, every rally builds community, and every child learns that competition and respect belong on the same court.
Our Story
Why The Pride Exists.
Palm Springs has always been a sanctuary — a place where people come to be fully themselves. But even here, sport has lagged behind. Competitive pickleball was growing fast across California and beyond, yet the community lacked a club that reflected its values: one that was openly LGBTQ+-affirming, youth-focused, and committed to economic inclusion.
The Pride was founded in 2026 to fill that gap. We built a club that competes at the highest level, opens its courts to every skill level, and directs real resources toward the children who need access most. We believe sport is a civil right — and we're proving it one rally at a time.
Mission & Values
What We Stand For.
To build an equality-forward pickleball community in Palm Springs that competes with excellence, welcomes everyone, and ensures every child in California and beyond has access to the sport.
Radical Welcome
Every skill level, every background, every identity. Our courts are open — no exceptions.
Compete with Integrity
We play hard and we play fair. Excellence and respect are not in conflict — they're the same thing.
Youth First
Our youth program isn't a side project — it's the reason we exist. Every membership funds a child's clinic.
Community Over Competition
Trophies matter. But the friendships, the belonging, and the impact we create together matter more.
Transparency
We publish our impact numbers, our financials, and our progress. You deserve to know what your membership does.
Joy
Pickleball is fun. We never forget that. Every event, every clinic, every rally should leave people smiling.
Theory of Change
How Sport Becomes Social Change.
We believe that when you put people on a court together — across age, income, identity, and background — something shifts. Sport creates the conditions for belonging. Belonging creates community. Community creates change.
Members Join & Fund the Movement
Annual memberships ($75–$500) generate the revenue that makes everything else possible. Every tier directly funds youth clinics and court access.
Youth Access the Sport for Free
Pride in Play delivers free 6-session clinics to underserved youth across California and beyond. No cost to families. Equipment provided. Coaches trained.
Community Builds Around the Court
Open-play sessions, socials, and tournaments create a recurring gathering point for Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Businesses Amplify the Impact
Business Boosters ($500/year) multiply our reach — funding equipment, sponsoring events, and signaling to the community that equality is good for business.
Impact Is Measured & Published
We track every child served, every member enrolled, and every dollar raised. Annual impact reports hold us accountable to the community we serve.
Leadership
The People Behind The Pride.
The Pride is governed by a volunteer board of directors drawn from Palm Springs' business, nonprofit, and LGBTQ+ community leadership.
Ron Pobuta
Founder & Executive Director
Lifelong athlete and Palm Springs community leader. Ron founded The Pride to create the club he wished had existed when he moved to the desert — one that competes hard and stands for something.
Board Seat Open
Director of Youth Programs
We are actively recruiting a Director of Youth Programs with experience in after-school programming, youth sports, or community education in California and beyond.
Board Seat Open
Director of Community Partnerships
Seeking a connector — someone with deep roots in Palm Springs' business and nonprofit community who can open doors for sponsorships, venue partnerships, and coalition building.
Board Seat Open
Director of Competitive Play
Looking for a competitive pickleball player (3.5+ rating) with tournament experience who can build and lead The Pride Team program.
Live Impact Dashboard
The Numbers Behind the Movement.
Real-time tracking of Year 1 progress. Updated as members join, clinics run, and boosters sign on.
Live tracking begins at program launch · August 2026
Ready to Play Your Part?
Join the movement. Become a member, volunteer with youth clinics, or bring your business into the Pride community.