Participant from first Sparta Combine earns top-tier sponsorship following breakthrough year on tour; Documentary set to premiere on Selkirk TV in November
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Oct. 1, 2026 —Selkirk Sport today announced that professional pickleball player Rafa Lenhard has joined its Elite Pro roster, making him the first athlete to transition from a Sparta Pro contract to the company's highest tier of professional sponsorship.
Lenhard joined the Sparta program after earning a contract at the inaugural Selkirk Sparta Combine in September 2025. Over the past year, he advanced from regional qualifiers to securing top finishes on the professional tours, including a PPA Main Tour Bronze Medal in Daytona and a victory over world No. 1 Federico Staksrud.
The Sparta Program uses standardized performance metrics to identify emerging talent and provide athletes with financial compensation, equipment and brand support. Lenhard's transition to the Elite Pro tier demonstrates the program’s capability to prepare players for competition at the sport's highest level.
"Rafa embodies everything the Sparta Program was built to cultivate," said Ron Clough, Sparta Program Director. "Over the past year, his dedication to refining his technical, physical and tactical approach transformed him into a consistent threat on the tour. Watching him earn this Elite Pro contract validates our combine model and sets a clear standard for future athletes."
Lenhard, who represents Brazil internationally, plans to use his platform to promote the growth of pickleball in South America.
“It’s been a fun journey going through the Sparta Combine, which was a one-of-a-kind experience,” Lenhard said. “I’ve been continuing to grow my relationship with Selkirk over the past year, and I’m looking forward to to more good years as the dream continues.”
Selkirk TV will release an original documentary in November detailing Lenhard’s journey from tennis to pickleball, and from the Sparta Combine to the Elite Pro circuit.
For more information about Team Selkirk or the Sparta Program, visit www.selkirk.com.
About Selkirk Sport
Selkirk Sport, a premium manufacturer of pickleball paddles and accessories, is a family-owned and operated company. Selkirk Sport is based in Hayden, Idaho, in the shadows of its namesake, the Selkirk mountain range. Founded in 2014, Selkirk Sport was born from a passion for sport and the Western outdoor leisure lifestyle that was afforded to the company’s founders, Rob and Mike Barnes, along with their father Jim. Selkirk Sport is committed to manufacturing products that deliver the highest performance with unmatched quality and service.
Media contact:
Brynn Grissom: Brynn@Selkirk.com
