Pickleball’s fastest-growing player group isn’t always on center court. It’s the junior girls grinding it out on side courts, balancing homework with tournaments, and defining what success looks like before they can even drive a car. And as more families rally behind them, we’re seeing exactly what’s possible when talent, determination, and the right kind of support come together.

This piece spotlights rising young players, and how parents, coaches, and the community can help more girls thrive.

The New Wave: Meet the Next Generation

Jade Rau (15, Florida)

Based in Naples, Florida – one of pickleball’s biggest hubs – Jade Rau has quickly become a name to watch. She’s medaled at major junior tournaments, regularly competes against pros, and finished runner-up in Junior Girls Doubles at the 2025 Minto U.S. Open. Off the court, she’s advocating for pickleball to be recognized as a high school sport in Florida, proving that leadership doesn’t require a certain age. With sponsorships in place and big goals ahead, Jade is part of a growing movement of junior girls who are both earning and demanding visibility.

Averry Chew (16, Southern California)

Averry’s story shows how quickly athletic talent can carry over into pickleball. After nearly a decade of club soccer, she picked up a paddle during the pandemic. Within a few years, she hit a 5.0 rating, entered pro brackets, and started coaching before most kids finish high school. With sponsorships, medals, and coaching experience under her belt, she’s proof that multisport athletes are finding early success in pickleball.

Ella Cosma (16, Washington)

Ella’s rise is both impressive and inspiring. She started playing with her mom less than three years ago, and now holds Junior PPA Triple Crowns in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Her story includes overcoming major health challenges before age 13, and her progress since has made her one of the top juniors in the country. With her mom Angie by her side – sometimes as a coach, sometimes as a doubles partner – Ella’s journey shows what can happen when resilience meets the right kind of sport.

Anna Leigh Waters (18, Forida): The Trailblazer

She’s no longer a junior anymore, but we’d be missing something important if we didn’t mention Anna Leigh Waters. Turning pro at just 12 and becoming the world’s top-ranked player while still in high school, ALW helped show girls what’s possible in this sport. She raised the bar early and made it easier for younger players to see a future for themselves on the court.

Parents Are the Secret Weapon

Behind nearly every rising junior is a parent (or two) putting in the work. It’s not just about medals for these families. They’re supporting growth, confidence, and a real love for the sport.

Coaches & Teammates: For some, like the Waters or the Cosmas, parenting and coaching go hand-in-hand. Playing and coaching alongside your kid takes trust, patience, and a good read on when to push and when to just listen. For families, it’s a dynamic that’s clearly working.
Logistics & Emotional Support: Parents might not show up on the scoresheet, but the early mornings, travel days, and behind-the-scenes support are part of every win. Parents help their daughters navigate tournament nerves, tough losses, and the pressure that can come with early success.
Advocates for the Sport: Some parents are pushing for change well beyond their own families. They’re helping create junior divisions, lobbying schools to add pickleball programs, and working rec departments to expand access. That kind of advocacy is helping build the pipeline for the next generation.

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Why Pickleball Works for Girls

Beyond tournament results, pickleball gives girls something that’s just as valuable: confidence, community, and lifelong benefits.

Accessible Competition: Unlike many youth sports, girls can hold their own against adult players in pickleball, and often do. Because the game rewards strategy, shot placement, and quick decision-making, size and power aren’t the only path to success.
Physical Benefits Without Burnout: Pickleball keeps girls active without some of the injury risks that come with other youth sports. The lower-impact nature allows them to train hard while protecting joints and growing bodies.
Mental Health & Confidence: The immediate feedback loop of pickleball – serve, rally, win points – helps girls build confidence fast. Sports psychologists have noted that even beginners feel successful early, which keeps them motivated and mentally resilient.
Social Connections: The community aspect of pickleball helps girls feel included and supported, especially when they’re surrounded by peers and encouraging adults. The community itself becomes a safety net, and an extended family.
Family Bonding: Unlike many youth sports where parents sit in the stands, pickleball invites them onto the court. Those shared experiences, whether winning a gold medal together or just drilling at the park, strengthen family ties and create memories that go way beyond sport.

Support Systems Matter

Junior girls are already helping shape the sport, not sometime in the future, but right now. Behind every breakout moment are the parents, coaches, tournament directors, and volunteers creating the space for it to happen.

The next Anna Leigh Waters might be out there. So is the next Ella Cosma, the next Jade Rau, the next Averry Chew. And each one is writing her own story.

The Future is Now: How Junior Girls Are Shaping the Next Era of Pickleball