COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Sept. 18, 2025 — Selkirk Sport is set to host the first-ever pickleball combine as part of its new Selkirk Sparta Program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to identify and develop the next generation of professional pickleball athletes. The event will take place Sept. 22–24 at Selkirk’s headquarters in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Twelve athletes — six men and six women — will participate in three days of advanced performance testing and professional coaching, all aimed at uncovering the sport’s future stars and supporting their pathway to the pro circuit.
The combine will feature a variety of performance assessments, and participants will also compete in live match play and receive one-on-one instruction from renowned pickleball coach Morgan Evans.
“The Sparta Program and the pickleball combine are about more than testing athletic ability — they’re about investing in the next generation of pickleball talent,” said Rob Barnes, co-founder and co-CEO of Selkirk Sport.
“By providing data-driven performance evaluations and direct access to professional coaching, we aim to give promising athletes the tools, support and exposure they need to succeed at the highest level. This aligns directly with Selkirk’s mission to grow the game and foster young talent.”
In addition to performance training and mentorship, selected athletes from the Sparta Program will receive ongoing support, including paid travel and development opportunities, as they strive to compete on pickleball’s biggest stages.
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. It has become one of the industry’s fastest-growing companies, with paddles used by many of the game’s premier players, such as Jack Sock, Catherine Parenteau, James Ignatowich, Rachel Rohrabacher and a host of other premier players and national champions.
Media contacts:
Kyle Whatnall: [email protected]
Brynn Grissom: [email protected]
