In Los Angeles, high school students are campaigning to make pickleball the next varsity sport

Pickleball continues its meteoric rise in the United States, and this time, the impetus comes directly from the younger generation. In Los Angeles , high school students are taking the lead in having pickleball recognized as an official varsity sport . At the heart of this movement is a student from Crossroads School , who launched the LA High School Pickleball League .

This initiative marks an important step in structuring youth pickleball and could well serve as a model for other American cities… or even internationally.

Pickleball is making its way into Los Angeles high schools

For several years, pickleball has established itself as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Initially popular among adults and seniors, it is now attracting a massive following among teenagers. In Los Angeles, this momentum has become strong enough to inspire an ambitious project: to make pickleball a recognized varsity school sport , on par with basketball, American football, or tennis.

In the American school sports system, varsity status represents official recognition. It allows student-athletes to benefit from structured competitions, coaches provided by the school, and sometimes even university opportunities. For pickleball, still considered an emerging sport in schools, this is a major strategic objective.

An initiative born from a student at Crossroads School

The driving force behind this development is a student passionate about pickleball, attending Crossroads School. Noticing the growing enthusiasm of his classmates for the sport, he decided to transform an informal practice into a structured project on a city-wide scale .

His idea: to create an inter-high school league capable of demonstrating that pickleball possesses all the necessary qualities to become a varsity sport. Thus was born the LA High School Pickleball League , conceived as a first concrete step towards the official recognition of pickleball in Californian schools.

This approach perfectly illustrates the evolution of pickleball: a sport supported not only by federations or institutions, but also by the players themselves, including the youngest.

The LA High School Pickleball League: a pioneering organization

The LA High School Pickleball League aims to bring together several high schools in the Los Angeles area for regular competitions. The format is intentionally accessible, allowing as many students as possible to participate, regardless of their initial skill level.

The league's founding principles rest on several pillars:

• Accessibility : Pickleball requires little equipment and can be played on existing courts.
• Mixed-gender and inclusive : girls and boys can play together, promoting egalitarian practice.
• Safety : less contact and risk of injury than some traditional sports.
• Progressive competitiveness : a structured framework, but adapted to a developing sport.

Thanks to this league, high school students now have a credible competitive environment, capable of convincing school administrations and educational authorities.

Why pickleball has everything it takes to become a varsity sport

It's no coincidence that Los Angeles students are advocating for pickleball. The sport ticks many boxes required by American school curricula.

First, the reduced cost is a key argument. Where other sports require heavy infrastructure or expensive equipment, pickleball can be set up quickly, often on existing tennis courts or in gymnasiums.

Furthermore, pickleball encourages broad participation . Unlike some sports where only the best players make the varsity team, pickleball allows for a wider range of players, with singles and doubles formats.

Finally, sport develops essential skills in young people: coordination, strategy, communication, and teamwork. All of these are valued in modern educational programs.

A strong signal sent to Californian school authorities

The creation of the LA High School Pickleball League is not just about organizing games. It is primarily a message to school districts and interscholastic federations : pickleball is ready to take the next step.

By structuring an independent league, the students demonstrate that it exists:

• a sufficient player base;
• a lasting interest from the institutions;
• an organization capable of managing competitions and regulations.

This is exactly the type of evidence educational authorities are looking for before granting varsity status to a new sport.

A movement that could extend beyond Los Angeles

What's happening in Los Angeles could quickly spread elsewhere. California has often served as a sports laboratory, and many trends that originated in the state have subsequently spread nationwide.

If the LA High School Pickleball League manages to develop sustainably, it could inspire:

• the creation of similar leagues in other major American cities;
• the integration of pickleball into interstate competitions;
• a gradual recognition at the university level.

Ultimately, this would further strengthen the legitimacy of pickleball in the American sporting landscape.

Pickleball, the sport of the new generation

The commitment of Los Angeles students illustrates a broader phenomenon: pickleball is becoming the sport of the new generation . Fun, social, modern and accessible, it perfectly meets the expectations of today's young athletes.

The fact that high school students are taking the initiative to create a structured league shows that pickleball is no longer just a fad, but a sport in full development.

Conclusion

With the creation of the LA High School Pickleball League , Los Angeles students laid the groundwork for a major shift in American high school sports. Their goal was clear: to make pickleball a recognized varsity sport , with an official framework, regular competitions, and genuine institutional legitimacy.

This project, which originated at Crossroads School, demonstrates that the future of pickleball also lies with young people. If the initiative achieves its hoped-for success, it could well mark a turning point for the integration of pickleball into schools, in California and beyond.

FAQ

What is the LA High School Pickleball League?

This is an inter-high school league created in Los Angeles to structure the practice of pickleball among students and prepare them for varsity status.

Who is behind this initiative?

A Crossroads School student, passionate about pickleball, who wanted to offer an official competitive framework to high school students.

Why aim for varsity status in pickleball?

Varsity status allows for official academic recognition, structured competitions, and greater visibility for players.

Is pickleball suitable for a school environment?

Yes, thanks to its accessibility, low cost and inclusive nature, it is perfectly suited to schools.

Can this initiative be extended to other cities?

Yes, the Los Angeles model could inspire other regions in the United States and accelerate national recognition of pickleball.