Kawamoto Sisters Pickleball Journey: Twin sisters Jade Kawamoto and Jackie Kawamoto are making a name for themselves on the pickleball court while managing full-time jobs and spending nearly half the year on the road. Despite the demanding schedule, they both say they love the sport and the journey they’ve taken together.
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Competing as a Team
Jade Kawamoto and Jackie Kawamoto, who live just minutes apart in Plainfield, Indiana, travel to many professional pickleball events throughout the year. As close siblings and doubles partners, they’ve learned how to keep their competitive energy focused on the court.
“The fighting on the court hasn’t changed,” said Jade Kawamoto. “But we don’t carry that off the court. Off the court, we’re fine. We’ve just always done it, so we don’t take it too seriously.”
They have a strong bond and enjoy playing together, which helps them succeed in tournaments and manage the stress of frequent travel.
Balancing Work and Pickleball
Both sisters work for the NCAA National Office. Jade Kawamoto is an Assistant Director in the Eligibility Center, while Jackie Kawamoto is an Assistant Coordinator of Championships and Alliances. Their office roles are in the same building, though on different floors.
“Jade is on the building’s first floor as an Assistant Director in the Eligibility Center, while Jackie, Assistant Coordinator of Championships and Alliances, does her work in a fourth-floor office,” writes Mike Beas.
Their employer supports their pickleball careers, allowing them to work remotely while they compete in Professional Pickleball Association Tour and Major League Pickleball events.
How It All Began
The sisters were introduced to pickleball in 2018 by their father, shortly after graduating from the University of Dayton. Both had been standout tennis players in college before making the switch to pickleball.
“I picked up on it pretty quick, and Jade followed after that,” said Jackie Kawamoto. “The first thing that draws people in is the social aspect of it. It’s definitely a sport that all these years later we pick up new tricks, and see the growth of the game and the technology. I started playing with a wooden paddle back in the day.”
Now, they are regulars at top events and have grown with the sport as it continues to gain popularity.
Life on the Road
The sisters estimate they spend around 20 weeks a year traveling for pickleball. Although it was a challenge at first, they have learned to plan better and make time for rest and work.
“We’re probably on the road at least 20 weeks this year,” said Jade Kawamoto. “It’s a lot of time away from home, but we enjoy it a lot. It wasn’t easy at first, getting away so much. But we’ve done a lot better job planning our trips, and figuring out when we’re going to be away and when we’re going to be home.”
News in Brief: Kawamoto Sisters Pickleball Journey
Twin sisters Jade Kawamoto and Jackie Kawamoto balance full-time NCAA jobs and pro pickleball careers. Living in Plainfield, Indiana, they travel 20 weeks a year for tournaments. First introduced to the sport by their father in 2018, they now compete regularly, supported by their workplace and close sibling bond.
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