The junior pickleball story to watch

Some major stories shaping where pickleball is headed next.

Author

Empower Pickleball
November 18, 2025

Pickleball’s reach keeps stretching in ways that don’t always make the headlines, and one of the most compelling examples right now is coming out of Ecuador. A backyard experiment in a small city has turned into a junior program that’s sending kids to international tournaments—and what’s happening there says a lot about how the sport is growing worldwide.

Between global growth and the realities of how we actually play, there’s a lot worth digging into.

Inside:

  • The Ecuadorian pickleball club making waves on the international stage

  • Neil’s take on turning weaknesses into real strategy

  • A quick look at how pickleball and padel are rising differently

  • The gear upgrade helping players stay on court longer

  • A closer look at MLP’s evolution and what the league’s next chapter might be

🌎 The Junior Pickleball Boom Happening Far From the U.S.

Pickleball in Portoviejo didn’t start in a gym or academy. It started on a damaged backyard slab and snowballed into eleven courts, seven schools teaching the sport, and kids flying to the U.S. to compete. What’s happened there says a lot about where the sport is headed.

How a Backyard Experiment Became a Community Hub

After the earthquake, a family picked up paddles just to fill time. Within months, the crowds outgrew the house, and full courts were built to keep up. Cheap court time, included equipment, and a safe, gated space made the sport explode in a soccer-first region.

Schools Are Turning This Into a Real Pipeline

Seven schools now offer pickleball as a part of PE. A local college is teaching future PE instructors how to run sessions. About fifty juniors train consistently, and families are building entire routines around the courts.

Five Kids Went to Florida… and Everything Changed

When the National Junior Pickleball JOOLA Celebration came up, five juniors took the leap. New surfaces, new rules, no parents allowed courtside, and more responsibility than they’ve ever had. They came home tougher, sharper, and hungry for the next step.

👉 See why this small Ecuadorian city might be the blueprint for the sport’s new wave.

🌎 Around the Picklesphere

💥 Volley issues? Here’s the fix
💛 The coach who rebuilt her life on a pickleball court
🛍️ This collab is getting all the love
👟 The shoe review that might change your footwork

🎯 Turning Your Weaknesses into a Weapon

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: Most players pretend their weaknesses don’t exist. Neil thinks that’s the fastest way to stay stuck. In his newest piece, he breaks down why self-awareness beats wishful thinking, why weaknesses “marinate” instead of disappearing, and how the things you avoid on court are usually the exact places your game grows.

From overthinking to a lack of confidence to not being naturally gifted, Neil shows how every flaw can be turned into a style, a strategy, or a stubborn advantage.

👉 Tap into the mindset shift that actually changes your game.

🌐 The Global Pickleball Merger That Actually Matters

For years, pickleball has had multiple international federations all claiming authority, which has slowed down the sport’s path toward real global structure and any shot at the Olympics. That changed this week when two major groups announced they’re joining forces to create one unified governing body.

This is the clearest sign yet that international pickleball is growing up. The merger sets a stable foundation for world events, youth pathways, and long-term global recognition—while keeping everything in the U.S. exactly the same for everyday players.

👉 Get the breakdown on what this merger means and why it moves the sport forward.

🔥 Limited-Release Alert: CRBN Summit Edition

The CRBN TruFoam Waves: Summit Edition has officially launched TODAY! Get yours immediately before they are sold out. Only 1,000 individually numbered paddles are being released. Don’t miss your chance because once they are gone, they are gone forever.

👉 Get the Summit Edition while it’s still available.

📊 Pickleball vs. Padel: Two Sports Surging in the U.S.

Pickleball’s growth is still on another level, with more than 19 million players and courts popping up everywhere from parks to rec centers. At the same time, padel is jumping from niche import to nationwide trend, fueled by its fast-paced doubles play and club-drive expansion.

Both sports are rising, but for completely different reasons. If you’ve been hearing the padel chatter and wondering how it actually compares, this breakdown shows where each one is winning and where they’re headed next.

👉 Dive into the differences shaping the future of both sports.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

In 1965, what were the three founders of pickleball doing?

Contributed by Jennifer Lucore, Pickleball Hall of Famer and historian — author of History of Pickleball — More Than 50 Years of Fun! • Visit allpickleball.com 

🦶 The Sneaky Upgrade That Helps You Play Longer

Pickleball feels great… until your feet and joints call you out the next morning. More players are realizing that what’s inside their shoes matters just as much as the shoes themselves. Structured performance insoles are becoming a quiet favorite for reducing pressure, improving stability, and keeping players moving without regret.

And the benefits don’t stop at the courts. Better support shows up during everything else you do in a day—walking, training, traveling, chasing kids, whatever. When your foundation feels stronger off the court, you bring a better body onto the court.

👉 Learn why insoles are becoming a go-to upgrade for long-term play.

🏟️ MLP’s Past, Present, and Where It’s Headed Next

Major League Pickleball has come a long way from its early chaotic, everyone-knows-everyone energy. What started as a scrappy, intimate league quickly transformed into a cultural flashpoint backed by celebrities, major brands, and fans who treat every rally like a playoff moment.

This piece breaks down what made early MLP special, how the league shifted as investment poured in, and why its next chapter matters for rec players just as much as pros.

👉 Catch up on how MLP got here and what the future could look like.

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