How pickleball is bringing together students of different backgrounds at Montgomery County Public Schools

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County Public Schools is now offering varsity corollary pickleball at all 25 high schools across the county. The program focuses on making varsity sports more inclusive. Teams are made up of students with disabilities and their general education counterparts.

“They interact with peers just like anybody else would, and they want to be included in a varsity sport. It could be physically or learning disabilities — students who you wouldn’t normally see playing a varsity sport,” said Coach Stacy Azizirad. Azizirad coaches the team at Wheaton High School. She has a total of eight boys on her team, but she tells WUSA9 at other high schools some students had to be turned away because the program is so popular.  

It's a unique varsity experience, because it's not about winning or losing. It’s about the relationships being built and making high school varsity sports as diverse as the student population.  

"A lot of the other sports will be really hyper competitive in a way and a lot of competition among team mates I think but this I mean everybody’s just here to have fun and I really love that community," said Jesse Iobst, a junior on the team. 

Students on the team use all the same equipment you would normally see in a pickleball game, but the rules are modified. 

"They’ve never had the opportunity to do before until these corollary sports happened, and they don’t care if they’re winning or losing they just want to be a part of a team," said Coach Azizirad. 

All the gear is provided by Bethesda-based Joola. Students have practices and games just like any other varsity team, but they’re getting more than just exercise.

"More than just the sport itself it’s helping me build teamwork skills and allows me to further communicate what I need to get across in a more effective manner...as a generally shy person it has allowed me to …open up a little more," said student, Declan Lewis. 

They’re gaining confidence and life skills. 

"I love playing pickleball but it’s also been really great to meet all these people...they’re getting better everyday and that’s been magical to see," said Iobst. 

"When you see them struggle to get a serve over the net and then when they finally do it to see them light up and to see the gen ed kids light up, and they’re like 'Oh my God you did it! that’s awesome good job'…something like that to see these kids thrive like that it just warms my heart," said Coach Azizirad.  

Bocce ball and softball are also part of the corollary sports program at MCPS. The pickleball teams will compete in playoffs and a championship game.