Pickleball Builds Bridges: MCPS Student-Athletes Connect with China Through Sport and Culture
Thirty student-athletes from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in Maryland are experiencing the trip of a lifetime — an international pickleball exchange program in China that blends sport with cultural diplomacy.
Pickleball Across Borders
As part of the exchange, students traveled to Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing, where they engaged in friendly pickleball matches with local Chinese students, showcasing not only their athletic skills but also their willingness to embrace new friendships and cultures.
“It’s actually really amazing that even on different sides of the world, we know exactly what we’re talking about… Right now, we’re like best friends, like we’ve known each other for years,” shared Sheraz Hassan Bashir, an MCPS student-athlete.
This isn’t just a sports trip — it’s a demonstration of how pickleball is becoming a global language of connection.
More Than a Game: A Cultural Exchange
While pickleball was at the heart of the trip, the students also took part in:
- City walks and cultural tours
- Workshops in traditional Chinese handicrafts
- A visit to the China Table Tennis Museum – a symbolic nod to the 1970s “Ping Pong Diplomacy” that helped thaw U.S.-China relations.
“Decades ago, ping pong or table tennis was a sport that brought U.S. and China relations together… We see pickleball as something in the present day now,” said Jeffrey Sullivan, Director of Systemwide Athletics for MCPS.
Sullivan called the students “ambassadors of goodwill,” using their skills and sportsmanship to foster understanding and friendship across continents.
MCPS: A Trailblazer in Pickleball Education
Montgomery County Public Schools made history by becoming the first school district in the U.S. to offer pickleball as a varsity sport.
- 2023: Pickleball was piloted in 11 high schools
- 2024: Expanded to all 25 MCPS high schools
To prepare for the China tour, students trained at Dill Dinkers, a premier pickleball facility, and participated in Chinese cultural engagement sessions.
Thanks to JOOLA, a leading pickleball equipment brand, the delegation was outfitted with paddles and apparel, ensuring they represented the U.S. in style and with top-tier gear.
Why This Matters
Pickleball, once a backyard game, is now one of the fastest-growing sports globally, with over 36 million players in the U.S. alone as of 2023. By integrating pickleball into schools and using it as a medium for international exchange, MCPS is not just leading in athletics — it’s shaping the next generation of global citizens.
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Stay tuned for more updates from the MCPS pickleball team’s journey through China! Their adventure proves that sports can serve as a powerful tool for peace, understanding, and unity.
