At Selkirk Sport, “We are Pickleball” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a responsibility. Growing the game means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and uplifting the people and communities who make pickleball special.
This Giving Tuesday, we’re reflecting on a few of the meaningful ways the Selkirk community — employees, advocates, partners, and players — has worked together to expand access to pickleball in 2025.
Expanding access through Selkirk’s Growth Program
One of the biggest benefits of pickleball is its role as a connection point. Through the sport, communities can support movement and camaraderie.
This year, Selkirk surpassed 30,000 donated paddles through the Growth Program. The paddles are donated to a variety of organizations, including school PE programs, fire stations, after-school clubs, community organizations, and neighborhoods where players simply needed the right gear to get started.
Raising awareness for Parkinson’s
In 2025, Selkirk partnered with the Parkinson’s Foundation to create two special-edition paddles designed to shine a light on the positive cognitive and social benefits pickleball can provide for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
As part of this initiative, 12% of every sale from these paddles is donated directly back to the foundation — representing the estimated 1.2 million people expected to be living with Parkinson’s by 2035.
Fueling the next generation: Supporting collegiate pickleball
In a milestone moment for the sport, Selkirk became the first pickleball brand to sponsor the nation’s No. 1 collegiate pickleball team at Utah Tech University.
Led by head coach Chloee Butterfield, the team has quickly become a powerhouse, and this partnership represents more than equipment. It’s a step toward establishing pickleball as a respected and growing collegiate sport, opening doors for young athletes who want to compete at the next level.
Supporting pickleball’s growth across Asia
This year also marked Selkirk’s first major step into Asia’s booming pickleball landscape. Through a partnership with the Asia Federation of Pickleball, Selkirk sponsored key events, including:
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Asia-Pacific University Championships
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Asia Pickleball Junior Open
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AFP Regional Circuit
Spotlighting the good works of the Selkirk community
Pickleball grows because people grow it, and several inspiring efforts come from the Selkirk Advocate and Growth Program communities. Here’s a look at just a few of the remarkable stories from this past year.
Bringing pickleball programming into prison facilities
Selkirk Advocate Roger BelAir has introduced pickleball to more than 18 prison facilities, giving inmates an outlet for physical activity, self-discipline, and positive connection. The impact extends far beyond the court.
Growing pickleball around the globe
Renowned coach and former pro tennis player Helle Sparre has dedicated herself to expanding pickleball worldwide. From clinics in remote areas to mentoring new players internationally, Helle is helping introduce the game to communities across the globe.
Health, healing, and hope through pickleball
One of the most profound stories this year comes from Marty Williams, an Idaho nurse practitioner who has dedicated his life to serving orphanages across India through Send Hope. Though his work began long before pickleball entered the picture, the sport has become another tool for building connection and joy among the children he supports.
