D.C. Pickleball Team (DCPT), D.C.’s first professional pickleball team in Major League Pickleball (MLP), announced AARP as a sponsor and will be featured prominently on players’ jerseys.
Given how important community impact is for both brands, states a release, the partnership will focus on engaging the local community and using professional pickleball to inspire healthy living and social connection. At upcoming MLP events, AARP and DCPT will host pre-event pro clinics, led by DCPT pro players designed to educate players of all levels with instruction, tips and tricks to improve their pickleball games.
“We’re thrilled to welcome AARP into the D.C. Pickleball Team family,” says Adam Behnke, Chief Operating Officer of D.C. Pickleball Team. “Our organizations share in the meaningful core values of inclusivity and creating positive experiences through pickleball. Thus, this partnership represents the vibrant tapestry of social connection woven through the fabric of pickleball and reminds us that anyone can be the master of a sport where inclusivity is the golden rule. It’s a game that bridges generations with every swing, building timeless connections through the joy of camaraderie and competition.”
“Pickleball is a fun, accessible way for people to stay physically active and socially connected at every age,” says Barbara Shipley, AARP Senior Vice President of Brand Integration. “We’re excited to work alongside D.C. Pickleball Team, cheering on some fantastic players and bringing fun opportunities for participation to the D.C. community.”
D.C. Pickleball Team (DCPT) is DC’s first professional pickleball team in Major League Pickleball (MLP) that joined MLP ahead of the 2023 season that began January 26th. DCPT’s ownership group includes Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Rip Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Odell Beckham Jr., Cliff Avril and Mesut Ozil.
DCPT played in the MLP Challenger Level in season one and will play in the Premier Level in season two. Season one’s Challenger Level roster included Sam Querrey, 10-time ATP Tour titlist and ranked 11th in the world in 2018; Stefan Auvergne, an exciting new player from France and a former competitive tennis player, competitive gamer and race car driver; Shelby Bates, former D1 tennis player at Coastal Carolina University; and Judit Castillo, former D1 tennis player at Northwestern State University. Season two’s Premier Level roster includes Riley Newman, world ranked #2 in pickleball; twin sisters, Jackie and Jade Kawamoto, former D1 tennis players at the University of Dayton; and Christian Alshon, former University of Chicago tennis champion where he was team captain and undefeated in singles.
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age.
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