With the pickleball industry continuously growing, clubs are facing a challenge in finding and developing qualified instructors. There are many people who can play the sport well, but the number of people who can effectively teach the sport is far fewer.
That gap is making certifications and continuing education more important than ever, not only for lesson quality, but also for staffing, member retention and long-term program growth.
Organizations like USA Pickleball now recognize several official coaching education partners including Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), Pickleball Coaching International (PCI) and the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA). Those programs offer structured certification pathways focused on lesson planning, player development, communication and coaching methodology — areas operators say are critical as participation grows.
According to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for multiple consecutive years, with over 24 million participants nationwide in 2025. That growth has created a significant demand for coaches, but the supply pipeline has struggled to keep pace.
“Hiring pickleball coaches nowadays is quite complicated,” said Juan Ramirez, the director of racquets at Corpus Christi Athletic Club. “It’s kind of hard to find a full-time pickleball coach, someone that wants to live from the pickleball teaching aspect.”
Instead of relying solely on outside hiring, many facilities are now developing instructors internally. Matthew Westmoreland, the president of Corpus Christi, said the club has focused on identifying passionate players and helping them grow into teaching professionals over time.
That process has elevated the role certifications can play within clubs. While certification alone does not guarantee coaching success, operators are viewing it as an important foundation that helps standardize instruction and create consistency across programming. Westmoreland, who holds certifications through PPR and RSPA, said the biggest value lies in the framework certifications provide.
Certification programs have also become important because they establish common terminology and teaching standards in a sport that still contains a mix of informal language and evolving instruction styles. Westmoreland pointed to something as simple as how coaches explain the “kitchen” to beginners.
“When I went through the initial certification, it was ‘Don’t say it like this because this is what’s getting a lot of issues in our community,’” he said. “They said don’t call it the kitchen. It’s the non-volley zone because it’s easier for people to understand. Still explain the slang, but technically teach it the right way.”
Certification is only the first step. According to the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association (IPTPA), even if you have all the technical knowledge of the game, there needs to be more for those who are being taught. As more first-time players enter facilities, operators need instructors who can simplify the game, communicate effectively and create positive experiences on the court. Skills like good communication, hospitality and relationship-building are equally valuable.
“Juan’s favorite quote that he tells all his coaches is ‘sell yourself,’” said Westmoreland about Ramirez. “All of them have good playing backgrounds. They know how to play. They know how to do all the different shots. But to go out there and advertise for other people to take lessons with them is a big thing.”
That emphasis reflects how across the industry, pickleball instructors are being seen more as ambassadors for the club and the sport itself.
“It’s not just someone coming in to teach lessons,” said Ramirez. “It’s more so how are they going to promote it?”
That ambassador mentality can have operational benefits beyond lessons. Certified and educated instructors often help clubs improve onboarding, member engagement and retention because they build relationships throughout the facility.
Westmoreland said that mindset extends beyond coaching staff to front-desk employees and other team members involved in their racquet sports operations.
For operators, that creates a more authentic member experience. Staff members who understand the game can answer questions, encourage participation and help integrate new players into the community more naturally.
It also helps clubs staff programs more effectively. In an industry where experienced full-time coaches remain difficult to find, developing internal talent pipelines through certifications and continuing education gives operators more flexibility. Facilities can identify passionate players, invest in their education and gradually build reliable coaching teams that align with club culture.
The ongoing education component is becoming important as the sport evolves. New teaching methodologies, technology, player development models and competitive standards continue to emerge. Certifications are now being viewed as part of the professional development process in pickleball clubs. Ultimately, the most effective instructors combine technical knowledge with energy, communication skills and genuine enthusiasm for the game.
“That’s the type of people we look for,” said Westmoreland. “People that love playing the game. They’re going to share that passion.”
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Jordan Meek is a staff writer for Pickleball Innovators, where she covers the rapidly evolving business of pickleball — from facility growth and technology to player experience and industry strategy. A graduate of Denison University with a degree in Journalism, she joined Peake Media in 2025 and brings a passion for storytelling and curiosity to every piece. Jordan is driven to spotlight the leaders shaping the sport and uncover insights that help operators thrive in the fastest-growing game in America.
