At the height of the pandemic, when many community centers were shuttered and families were searching for safe ways to connect, Matt Lund found himself staring at an empty gym floor. As the CEO of a YMCA in Oregon, he had access to a space that sat unused.
“I thought, let’s get the kids in the gym and try something new,” Matt recalls. “We’d seen seniors playing pickleball before the shutdown, and it just seemed like something worth trying.”
Neither he nor his wife Stephanie had ever picked up a paddle before. He had a background in basketball, she came from volleyball, and their four children had mostly played team sports.
But soon enough, the whole family — Adalynn (15), Christian (14), Payton (11), and McKaelynn (10) — was learning the ropes of pickleball, laughing through early frustrations and bonding through every missed shot.
What started as a fun way to stay active quickly transformed into something more.
From family pastime to tournament circuit
As the world reopened, the Lunds ventured to local parks and started joining pickup games. They quickly got better and decided to participate in their first tournament.
“Stephanie and I signed up for a 3.5 event and ended up winning gold,” Matt says. “That kind of lit the fire.”
Their kids were watching — and wanted in. Adalynn and Christian entered a 3.0 division, played against adults, and took home bronze.
“They just fell in love with it,” Matt says. “From there, we started entering them in more events, coaching them, traveling together. It all took off.”
In just a few years, the family’s casual interest evolved into a full-blown lifestyle. Today, the Lunds compete in 12-16 tournaments annually. Adalynn and Christian now play at the 5.0 level and have entered pro qualifiers with the PPA and APP tours. Adalynn is ranked in the top 10 for youth players globally.
“I never imagined we’d be here,” says Stephanie. “But pickleball brought us closer as a family. It gave us something all six of us could do — not just spectate, but really participate in together.”
Life on the road — and the court
For years, the Lunds towed a travel trailer across the western U.S., playing tournaments in California, Oregon, and Washington. They recently relocated to Florida — a move driven almost entirely by pickleball.
“The opportunities here are incredible,” Matt explains. “I’m now the CEO of a new pickleball facility in Sarasota, and Stephanie works with me. The kids help with lessons and clinics. It’s just part of our daily life.”
Balancing work and school with a demanding travel schedule hasn’t been easy, but it’s something they’ve committed to as a family.
“The kids do miss school sometimes,” Stephanie says. “But we stay in touch with their teachers, bring schoolwork on the road, and make sure they stay on top of it. It’s all about balance — and priorities.”
Pickleball, clearly, is a priority.
But it’s not just about winning medals or gaining exposure. For the Lunds, the value lies in what the sport has taught them: independence, confidence, social skills, resilience.
“Our kids have learned how to handle long travel days, meet new people, compete under pressure,” Matt says. “They’ve made friends across the country, and grown in ways we never expected.”
Playing together, growing together
Of course, spending so much time together, especially in high-stakes matches, has its challenges. Playing as spouses, or as parents and kids, isn’t always smooth sailing.
“That’s one of the top questions we get,” Matt says. “People ask, ‘How can you play with your spouse and not argue?’ And honestly, it’s about understanding each other. We’re not just partners, we’re teammates.”
Stephanie agrees. “We’ve had tough games and hard losses, but we talk through it. It’s helped the kids, too — they’ve learned how to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory.”
For Adalynn and Christian, the on-court lessons have been just as important as the ones off it. They’ve learned how to control tempo, reset points, and frustrate opponents with strategy instead of sheer power.
“We’re not a banger family,” Stephanie laughs. “We taught them the slow game first — how to dink, reset, and move people around. It’s become our signature style.”
Looking ahead
As their kids improve — and begin to surpass them — Matt and Stephanie are transitioning into coaching roles.
“My son is probably already playing at a 5.3 or 5.4 level,” Matt says. “I can't keep up with him forever. But I’ll keep coaching him. That’s the role I want now.”
The younger Lund children, Payton and McKaelynn, are right behind their older siblings, already playing competitively at a 3.5 level.
“Eventually, the dream is to see the girls playing together in women’s doubles and the boys in men’s,” Matt says. “And maybe even some mixed against each other. That would be really special.”
While the future may hold more pro events and perhaps national recognition, the Lunds are focused on the experience — the journey, not just the destination.
“The proudest moments aren’t always the medals,” Stephanie says. “It’s watching them grow up, hearing the crowd cheer for them, seeing them soak it all in. We’re proud parents.”
Advice for other pickleball families
For those looking to follow in their footsteps, the Lunds say the most important step is just to start.
“Pickleball can feel awkward at first,” Matt admits. “The scoring is weird, the ball doesn’t bounce right, but give it time. Take a clinic, play with your kids, and make mistakes together. That’s part of the fun.”
Stephanie adds, “You don’t need to be athletic. You don’t need fancy gear. Just get out there and try. You’ll be surprised at what it brings to your family.”
