Golden Gate Pickleball Expansion: JOOLA has partnered with the Golden Gate Pickleball Foundation (GGP) to deliver pickleball equipment to schools across San Francisco. The project, aiming to introduce more students to the sport, tackles limited space and resources in the city’s schools through hands-on support and equipment donations.
Growing Pickleball in San Francisco
The Golden Gate Pickleball Foundation, a non-profit group, dreams of making pickleball a high school varsity sport in the Bay Area.
“Our foundation has lofty goals for growing pickleball in the Bay Area, including one day having pickleball become a high school varsity sport. A huge step in making this happen is through our partnership with JOOLA!,” said Ryan Blanton, Marketing Chair.
The city’s small 7×7-mile layout leaves little space for courts. High schools face the same issue, with PE departments already stretched thin.
Facing Challenges with Hands-On Support
GGP planned to introduce pickleball to every high school in one year, but challenges slowed progress. Many schools lack dedicated court space, and some programs had little room for new sports. Still, once students tried pickleball—on tennis courts or open spaces—their excitement grew quickly.
The GGP team found that showing up made a big difference. They visited schools with JOOLA equipment, worked with PE teachers, and gave in-person demonstrations.
Impact of JOOLA Equipment Packages
The JOOLA packages have helped schools with tight budgets. Access to good equipment sparked more interest among students. One after-school program started with nine students. It now has two full sessions and a waiting list of 12. They are considering adding another JOOLA package to meet the demand.
Looking Ahead for Pickleball’s Growth
The partnership between JOOLA and GGP shows how providing the right equipment can inspire students and grow a sport. With strong community support, pickleball is taking root in San Francisco’s schools. GGP hopes this momentum will continue to build and inspire even more young players in the future.
News in Brief: Golden Gate Pickleball Expansion
JOOLA and the Golden Gate Pickleball Foundation are bringing pickleball to San Francisco schools. Facing court space and budget challenges, they deliver equipment and in-person support. Student interest is growing fast, with after-school programs expanding. The goal is to make pickleball a varsity sport across the Bay Area.
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