MCPS Launches Inclusive Varsity Pickleball Program: Montgomery County Public Schools has introduced a new varsity corollary pickleball program across all 25 high schools. This initiative aims to promote inclusivity, offering pickleball program for students with disabilities the opportunity to compete on a varsity team alongside their general education peers.
A Step Towards Inclusion
The new program is designed to foster diversity and inclusion within varsity sports. The teams are composed of students with disabilities who otherwise might not have had the chance to participate in varsity athletics. “They interact with peers just like anybody else would, and they want to be included in a varsity sport,” said Coach Stacy Azizirad of Wheaton High School. She explained that the program is open to students with a wide range of disabilities, both physical and learning, who may not typically play varsity sports. Azizirad’s team consists of eight boys, and in some schools, the program’s popularity has led to students being turned away due to limited space.
A Unique Varsity Experience
Unlike traditional varsity sports, where winning often takes center stage, the focus here is on building relationships and promoting a sense of community. “A lot of other sports are really hyper-competitive, but here everybody’s just having fun, and I love that community,” said Jesse Iobst, a junior on the team. The emphasis on fun and teamwork over competition creates an inclusive environment, where all players, regardless of their ability, can thrive.
Modified Rules, Same Equipment
The students use all the standard equipment you’d find in any pickleball game, but with slight modifications to the rules. The support provided by Bethesda-based Joola, which supplies all the gear, ensures the teams have what they need to succeed. For the students, it’s not just about playing a sport but being part of a team. “They don’t care if they’re winning or losing; they just want to be part of a team,” said Coach Azizirad.
Building Life Skills Through Sports
Beyond the physical benefits, the program helps students develop valuable life skills. “It’s helping me build teamwork skills and communicate more effectively,” said student Declan Lewis. For many, like Lewis, the experience has had a transformative effect on their confidence and social abilities. “I’ve opened up a little more,” he added. For others, like Iobst, the joy of seeing their teammates improve is just as rewarding as playing the sport itself. “They’re getting better every day, and that’s been magical to see.”
Coach Azizirad highlighted the emotional impact of these moments: “When they finally get a serve over the net, and you see them light up, it just warms my heart.”
The Future of Corollary Sports
In addition to pickleball, bocce ball and softball are part of MCPS’s corollary sports program. The pickleball teams of MCPS will soon compete in playoffs and a championship game, continuing to build on the program’s goal of inclusivity and teamwork.
News in Brief: MCPS Launches Inclusive Varsity Pickleball Program
Montgomery County Public Schools has introduced a varsity corollary pickleball program in all 25 high schools to promote inclusivity. Students with disabilities now have the opportunity to play alongside general education peers in a modified version of the sport. The focus is on building relationships and fostering diversity, with the program already becoming a popular addition to school sports. Students are developing both life skills and confidence, making varsity sports more representative of the school’s population. The teams will compete in playoffs and a championship game in the coming months.
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