We're Just Getting Started

Our beginning

Born from a Vision

Teaching pickleball and equality at a formative age is about much more than teaching children a sport. It is about helping them become better human beings. On a pickleball court, children quickly learn that every person deserves respect. They learn to make honest calls—even when honesty costs them a point. They shake hands with opponents, communicate with partners, accept differences, manage disappointment and discover that competition does not require cruelty. Pickleball is especially powerful because it naturally brings different people together. Children can play across differences in age, ability, background, gender, race and identity. When those experiences happen early, inclusion becomes normal—not something that must be taught or corrected later. A child who learns to respect an opponent becomes an adult more capable of respecting a neighbor. A child who learns to welcome a new teammate becomes an adult more willing to include someone who feels alone. A child who discovers that differences do not prevent cooperation begins to understand the foundation of equality. This is where sport can influence humanity. We are not simply developing pickleball players. We are developing young people who understand fairness, dignity, honesty, belonging and compassion. The scoreboard records who won the game. The greater victory is the kind of person who walks off the court. The Pride’s purpose is simple: use the gift of pickleball to teach children that everyone belongs, everyone deserves respect and equality begins with how we treat one another.

Right now we are in the founding phase. We're collecting donations and names of people who want to be part of this — as members, volunteers, business boosters, or supporters. No courts yet. No van. No gear. Just a growing list of people who believe in what we're building.