Pickleball Expands in Montgomery Schools: Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is making a bold move this fall by introducing pickleball as a varsity sport across all 25 high schools in the district. This expansion builds on last year’s historic pilot program, making MCPS the first county to incorporate pickleball at the varsity level while championing accessibility for students with disabilities.
Previously, pickleball was offered at only 11 high schools within the county. This fall, thanks to a strategic partnership with the D.C. Pickleball Team and JOOLA, the world’s largest pickleball equipment provider, the sport will be accessible to high school students countywide.
A Step Toward Inclusivity and Equity in Athletics
Dr. Jeff Sullivan, MCPS’ director of athletics, expressed enthusiasm for the expansion: “We are excited to expand our groundbreaking pickleball program to all 25 MCPS high schools, as we strive to provide additional participation opportunities for our student-athletes.”
He highlighted the sport’s global rise in popularity and its alignment with the school district’s core values of equity and access. He remarked that pickleball is an inclusive sport that complements the district’s corollary sports program, which offers additional opportunities for both students with and without disabilities. He stated that the initiative aligns directly with the district’s R.A.I.S.E. core values of equity, access, and spirited competition, and it will lay a strong foundation for the success of pickleball throughout the county.
“Pickleball is an inclusive sport that fits perfectly with our corollary sports program, which provides additional opportunities for students with and without disabilities. This initiative is directly aligned with our R.A.I.S.E. core values of equity, access and spirited competition, and will provide a foundation of success for pickleball across our county.”
-( Dr. Jeff Sullivan )
Pickleball will now join the fall varsity interscholastic corollary sports roster, aimed at broadening athletic opportunities, especially for students with disabilities. The push reflects MCPS’s commitment to inclusivity and providing a rich array of athletic experiences for all students.
News in Brief: Pickleball Expands in Montgomery Schools
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is expanding its pickleball program to all 25 high schools this fall, a significant increase from the previous 11 schools. This move follows a successful pilot program and makes MCPS the first county to offer pickleball at the varsity level, emphasizing accessibility for students with disabilities.
Dr. Jeff Sullivan, MCPS’ director of athletics, highlighted the sport’s growing popularity and alignment with the district’s core values of equity and access. The initiative, supported by a partnership with the D.C. Pickleball Team and JOOLA, aims to enrich athletic opportunities and foster inclusivity throughout the county.
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