She Just Wanted to Play. Now She’s Leading South Hadley’s Pickleball Movement.
Some people set out to run organizations. Others just want a good game—and end up building a better community in the process. That’s Kim Prough. What began as a love of play has grown into a full-on local movement: safer courts, easier access, learn-to-play pathways, and steady advocacy that keeps pickleball growing for everyone.
From Player to Advocate in South Hadley
Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley, Mass.
Kim didn’t come from a sports administration background. She emerged from the courts themselves—listening to players, spotting problems, and stepping up.
As president of Friends of Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley, Massachusetts, she’s become a go-to community voice with the town. On August 20, 2025, she addressed the Select Board about grading and safety issues on South Hadley’s new courts, carrying the weight of a 300+ signature petition. That’s not ego—that’s neighbors organizing for a public space they love.
Grant Funding Brings Pickleball Resources
Advocacy is powerful. Funding makes it stick. Under Kim’s leadership, South Hadley was selected for one of two nationwide 2025 USA Pickleball “Play It Forward” court grants—a win highlighted in USA Pickleball’s channels and in SportsTravel.
Translation: the community’s voice reached beyond Western Massachusetts, and it brought tangible support back home.
Learn-to-Play Clinics and New Player Pathways
Access isn’t just about nets and lines—it’s about programming that welcomes people. Kim helps coordinate “Learn-to-Play” clinics and community fundraising through the South Hadley Pickleball group, creating low-pressure ways for brand-new players (and returning ones) to step onto the court.
It’s the kind of local leadership that multiplies impact: teach 10 newcomers today, and they bring 20 more next month.
Connecting South Hadley to the Larger Pickleball Community
Kim is also a volunteer USA Pickleball Ambassador—constantly bridging players, parks, and the broader ecosystem—sharing best practices, spotting opportunities, and making sure South Hadley’s needs are heard.
Beyond pickleball, she serves as President of Friends of the South Hadley Seniors, reflecting a through-line in her work: programs that help people belong.
Editor’s note: I spend a lot of time traveling on the business side of pickleball. When I came home and discovered open play here, everyone was so welcoming and kind. They had no idea I work in pickleball—and it was nice to keep it that way and just enjoy the game. I took a class with Kim along with a few others; it was a great time and I learned a lot. I love coming home and visiting this energetic, welcoming group.
Why Kim Prough’s Pickleball Story Matters
Kim’s path checks every box in our “She just wanted to play → now she’s leading” series:
Not formally trained to run sports orgs. She started as a player and became an organizer, because the community needed one.
Now running things that support others (including women). Friends group leadership, clinics, and grants expand access for all.
Pushing rec play’s boundaries. Petitions, town coordination, and national-level grant wins turn casual play into real infrastructure.
What’s Next for Pickleball in South Hadley
With the grant in place and town conversations ongoing, the work continues:
Translating resources into safer, more playable courts
Expanding learn-to-play offerings
Keeping the door wide open for new faces
If South Hadley is any indication, the best “leaders” in pickleball aren’t waiting for a title. They’re just making sure the next person has an easier time getting on the court.
