by Chase Sondike ‘26

MCPS is setting a precedent for other school districts across the nation by adding pickleball as a varsity corollary sport this fall. The sport of pickleball is experiencing exponential growth, with nearly 50 million American adults playing this past year. Not only is the game popular among adults, but kids are also getting in on the fun. In fact, Sherwood’s coach, Rob Campbell, had to make cuts at the tryouts because there was greater interest than the available number of spots on the roster.

The captain of the pickleball team this year, senior Ryan Corkery, is no stranger to the up-and-coming sport. Corkery, who was on the pilot pickleball team last year, has his sights set on a triumphant season, saying that of course, the goal was to go undefeated and win the final tournament. “We also want to increase the number of eyes on high school pickleball,” Corkery said. “Being the first county in the nation to have varsity pickleball, we are all in a unique spot to be at the forefront of the growth of high school pickleball.” The introduction of pickleball in MCPS is a testament to its relevance in today’s sports world. Pickleball serves as a fun yet competitive sport which also has many social benefits and an engaging atmosphere.

Pickleball is a corollary sport in MCPS, which means it is designed to help provide equal opportunities for students with and without disabilities. Half of each Pickleball roster in every MCPS school will have corollary students and the other half will be made up of non-corollary students. The objective of corollary sports is to enhance participation in extramural athletics for all students, particularly those with disabilities. Pickleball was added to the expanding list of varsity corollary sports in MCPS, joining Bocce and Allied Softball.

Campbell emphasized that his goal as the coach is a blend of competition and enjoyment. “I want to create an environment where players can have fun while still striving for success and getting better,” he said. This particular approach also reflects the sport’s growing popularity, to which Campbell credits the game’s accessibility. “Pickleball is easy to learn and an overall fun to play game, making it appealing to a wide range of age groups.”