Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) High School hosted Springbrook High School in Montgomery County Public School’s (MCPS) first ever pickleball match Tuesday night.
B-CC defeated Springbrook in the doubles match.
MCPS Director of Systemwide Athletics Dr. Jeffery Sullivan said the game is the first of a pilot season for MCPS pickleball that involves 11 schools.
“There’s a lot of energy around pickleball, it’s an exciting sport that can be played by all skill ability levels, all ages,” Sullivan told MCM. “It is truly a lifetime sport, and it’s spreading across all age levels very quickly.”
.@MCPSAthletics history was made today as @BCC_Barons hosted @BrookSports in the first ever Pickleball Match! @mcpsAD @MCPSTV @MCPS pic.twitter.com/volsfSGGrU
— MCPS Athletics (@MCPSAthletics) October 10, 2023
The pilot season for pickleball is part of the MCPS corollary program which offers different sports each season with the goal of increasing opportunity for all students, including ones with disabilities.
“What’s really cool about pickleball is you can make modifications within the game,” Sullivan said. “And it could really emerge as a hybrid game.”
“We’re excited in Montgomery County to be the first in the state to offer it in this fashion,” Sullivan said.
The pilot season gives MCPS an opportunity to evaluate how the sport is received and make changes Sullivan said.
The hope is for Pickleball to eventually become a full-time offered sport.
“I do believe there’s such positive energy around this sport that Pickleball is here to stay,” Sullivan said.
