Conquer Kids has been announced as the Official Youth Pickleball Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team (BKPT), powered by JOOLA, marking a significant moment for both the sport of pickleball and youth athletics throughout New York City.
This collaboration is the first time a Major League Pickleball team (MLP presented by DoorDash) in New York City has formally backed a youth development program, establishing a new benchmark for community-driven growth in America’s fastest-growing sport.
With more than one million students enrolled across the New York City Department of Education public school system, Conquer Kids and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team are united by an ambitious and inclusive goal: placing a pickleball paddle in the hands of every NYC public school student.
The initiative officially kicked off on February 4th in schools throughout the boroughs and is designed to continue expanding. Pickleball will initially roll out at several schools, including PS 307 in DUMBO, East Side Community School in the East Village, PS 239 in Ridgewood, Queens, Allen-Stevenson School on the Upper East Side, PS 9, PS 28X, and PS 12X in the Bronx.
“This partnership is truly one of a kind and comes at a critical time for the sport,” said Louis Long, Co-Founder of Conquer Kids. “Pickleball’s growth has been explosive, but accessibility is what makes that growth meaningful. Working alongside the Brooklyn Pickleball Team and JOOLA allows us to make sure kids in all five boroughs can learn the game, play it, and develop a lasting passion for pickleball.”
Conquer Kids currently serves students from second grade through high school across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx through in-school instruction, after-school enrichment, and community-based programs. Plans are already underway to expand into Staten Island later this year, completing a citywide footprint.
Conquer Co-Founder Matthew Lee highlighted the broader vision driving the program. “This effort goes beyond simply introducing pickleball to kids,” Lee said. “We’re building a long-term, sustainable pipeline for the sport’s future. From elementary school through high school and into collegiate opportunities, we’re establishing clear pathways for participation, leadership, and lifelong involvement.”
The partnership is bolstered by one of professional pickleball’s most recognizable franchises and ownership groups, Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Pickleball Team. “Any sport that wants to grow responsibly has to invest in youth development,” said Adam Behnke of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team. “By supporting kids early—especially in a city as diverse and vibrant as New York—we’re doing more than expanding pickleball. We’re fostering community, creating opportunity, and inspiring the next generation to see themselves in the game.”
“This collaboration highlights what can happen when professional teams commit directly to youth programs,” added Kris Mayor. “Conquer Kids is delivering meaningful, on-the-ground impact, and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team’s involvement sends a clear signal about the future of pickleball—one rooted in inclusivity, education, and community-first growth.”
As the Official Youth Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team powered by JOOLA, Conquer Kids will work closely with BKPT on youth clinics, school-based activations, community events, and player engagement initiatives, helping connect professional pickleball with the next generation of athletes.
Together, Conquer Kids and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team are doing more than growing the sport—they are laying the foundation for its future in classrooms, gyms, and playgrounds across all five boroughs of New York City.
Conquer (CNQR) is a New York City–based pickleball community and events platform designed for busy people looking for an easy way to show up and play. Through organized open play, leagues, clinics, and events, Conquer delivers competitive, social, and well-executed experiences for players of all ages and skill levels, offering flexible drop-in options and one-off games through its mobile app.
Conquer also operates Conquer Kids, the Official Youth Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team powered by JOOLA. Conquer Kids is dedicated to introducing pickleball through school partnerships and community-centered programming. Together, Conquer activates underutilized city spaces and makes pickleball one of the most accessible sports to play in New York City.
To learn more about Conquer or to bring Conquer Kids to your school, visit conquerpickleball.com/kids and follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
The Brooklyn Pickleball Team (BKPT) is Brooklyn’s premier Major League Pickleball franchise. The ownership group includes Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton, Rip Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Odell Beckham Jr., Cliff Avril, Mesut Ozil, and Tara and Hunter Fieri.
The franchise captured its first-ever MLP Championship on November 5, 2023, in Dallas while competing as the DC Pickleball Team (DCPT). The current roster features Rachel Rohrabacher, former Division I tennis standout at the University of South Carolina, MLP Champion, and top-four ranked pickleball player; Dekel Bar, former professional tennis player and world No. 6 ranked pickleball athlete; Riley Newman, world No. 7 ranked pickleball player and champion; Jackie Kawamoto, former Division I tennis player at the University of Dayton and key contributor to the 2023 Championship team; Hannah Blatt, former professional Canadian squash player and emerging pickleball talent; and Pat Smith, Men’s Conference Player of the Year at UMKC and former professional tennis player.
For additional information about the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, visit brooklynpickleballteam.com and follow the team on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and the Team Shop.
Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) is the leading coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring more than 100 elite athletes across 22 teams, high-profile owners, and some of the most energetic live events in the sport. In 2024, MLP merged with the PPA Tour under the newly established United Pickleball Association (UPA), uniting the top professional pickleball organizations under one umbrella. Visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more information.
