A Vision for Youth Athletes

American Junior Pickleball was founded by Shawn Smith, a certified pickleball instructor with a passion for helping youth athletes excel. After spending years coaching and observing the growing interest in pickleball, Shawn noticed a lack of organized opportunities for young players to compete and develop their skills. He realized that in order to foster the growth of the sport among youth, there needed to be a structured platform where players could showcase their abilities and engage in healthy competition. This vision led to the creation of American Junior Pickleball.

Shawn’s journey into pickleball coaching began with a desire to teach and inspire young athletes, helping them not only improve their physical skills but also their mental and emotional resilience. He saw how the sport could positively impact youth by teaching them the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance. With this in mind, American Junior Pickleball was born to provide youth players with a place where they could compete, learn, and grow in a supportive environment.

Today, American Junior Pickleball continues to bring this vision to life by offering tournaments, clinics, and leagues for young athletes. Shawn’s dedication to fostering the next generation of pickleball players has created a growing community where youth athletes from all backgrounds come together to share their passion and skills. With the mission of making pickleball accessible to all young athletes, American Junior Pickleball is committed to shaping the future of the sport, one young player at a time.