College pickleball may look male-dominated from the outside, but women across the country are stepping into leadership roles, reshaping campus clubs, and turning courts into communities where they can actually belong.

Pickleball is taking off across Asia and it’s already changing what the sport looks like for women in the U.S. From travel opportunities and community-building to Olympic momentum and global visibility, this boom isn’t happening “over there.” It’s shaping the future of the game right here, right now.

In pickleball, inspiration doesn’t come from a distance. Sometimes it comes from a quick autograph, a short conversation, or a few shots on court with a pro. For young players like JZ and Micah, those moments become the spark that turns curiosity into commitment—and make pickleball feel like a sport they can truly belong to.

After a staircase wake-up call in her late 40s, Sarah Bowman rebuilt her health, reclaimed her identity, and discovered a passion that now drives her daily: senior pro pickleball. At 55, she’s stronger, faster, and more purpose-driven than ever—and she’s using her journey to help other women find connection, confidence, and community through the sport.

It started with a cracked slab and a Google search. Now, FEP Pickleball Club is a sanctuary where kids trade screens for paddles and community comes first. We sat down with Tamy Arboleda to trace the journey from a backyard in Portoviejo to the NJP Celebration—celebrating a place where every player belongs and the game is always more than a score.

Across the country, veterans are discovering how pickleball helps them heal, connect, and rebuild community. These veteran-led programs prove the sport’s true power goes far beyond the court.

From local tournaments to lessons and community events, the California Pickleball Association (CAPA) is uniting players across the state—and redefining what pickleball in California looks like.

At 19, Miami’s Brooke Revuelta became the youngest pro to join the Armed Forces Entertainment pickleball tour—sharing the game with U.S. troops across the globe.

Behind every great pickleball shot is paddle innovation—and few people know this better than Chuck Vietmeier. As Senior Product Manager at United Pickleball Paddles, he’s helped shape the evolution of ProXR, PaddleTek, and Boundless paddles. From cores and dwell time to grip design, Chuck shares insights on what makes a paddle truly great and where technology is heading next.

The first-ever Special Olympics Georgia Pickleball Invitational is coming to Suwanee on November 16. Led by Coach Karla Blaginin and The Happy Hitters, the event blends competition, community, and inclusion — proving that pickleball is as much about heart as it is about skill.

Kim Prough didn’t plan on leading a pickleball movement in South Hadley, MA. She just wanted to play. Now she’s organizing clinics, driving petitions, winning grants, and making sure new players have an easier time getting on court.

At National Junior Pickleball (NJP), competition meets community. For the Randazzo and Collazo families, their first NJP tournament wasn’t just about medals—it was about confidence, connection, and discovering a place where kids can truly grow in the sport.

Catherine Baxter, founder of Nettie, is redefining pickleball paddles with color, creativity, and inclusivity. Learn how this female CEO is changing the game for women and players everywhere.

Brad Boutilier is turning Saskatchewan into a pickleball hotspot. Through Triple Black Pickleball, he’s coaching beginners, building community, and spreading the fun—proving that growing the sport is as much about connection as skill.

Meet Sarah Carpenter, Lead Data Scientist at DUPR and one of the brightest minds shaping how pickleball measures skill. From co-founding UNC’s collegiate team to refining the DUPR algorithm, Sarah bridges math and match play to make ratings more accurate, fair, and accessible for every player.

When Kris Barrett moved to Luxembourg with her husband, U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrett, she carried more than luggage—she brought her pickleball paddle. From winning tournaments to building a 70-player group, she put a global twist on the pickleball ambassador role.

Melissa McCurley has shaped pickleball event management from the ground up—running record-breaking tournaments, building PickleballTournaments.com, and earning a spot in the Pickleball Hall of Fame. She shares the lessons, strategies, and pitfalls every organizer should know to create tournaments that players and fans actually love.

Professional pickleball player Lindsey Newman proves doubles success doesn’t need constant chatter or risky shots—just trust, patience, and one more ball back.

Premier Pickleball in Knoxville combines family ownership, pro coaching, and wellness partnerships to deliver a true sport and social hub.

Diane Unetich has called thousands of matches, trained new referees across the Mid-Atlantic, and earned respect as one of pickleball’s most trusted officials. Here’s what she’s learned from the chair — and why referees matter more than you think.