Conquer Kids Named Official Youth Pickleball Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team

Conquer Kids has been named the Official Youth Pickleball Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team (BKPT), powered by JOOLA, marking a historic milestone for the sport and for youth athletics in New York City. 

The partnership represents the first youth development program officially supported by a Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) team in New York City, setting a new standard for grassroots growth and community engagement in the fastest-growing sport in America.

With more than one million students enrolled in the New York City Department of Education public school system, Conquer Kids and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team share a bold and inclusive mission: to put a pickleball paddle in the hands of every single NYC public school student.

The program officially launched on February 4th at schools across the boroughs, with the goal of continued expansion.  Pickleball will be introduced at an initial group of 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 is a first-of-its-kind partnership, and it’s exactly what the sport needs right now,” said Louis Long, Co-Founder of Conquer Kids. “Pickleball is growing at an incredible pace, but growth only matters if it’s accessible. By partnering with the Brooklyn Pickleball Team and JOOLA, we’re ensuring kids across all five boroughs have the opportunity to learn, play, and fall in love with the game.”

Conquer Kids currently operates in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, serving students from 2nd grade through high school through in-school programs, after-school enrichment, and community-based initiatives. The program plans to expand to Staten Island later this year, completing its reach across the entire city.

Co-Founder Matthew Lee emphasized the long-term vision behind the initiative. “This isn’t just about introducing kids to pickleball — it’s about building a sustainable pipeline for the future of the sport,” said Lee. “From elementary school to high school, and now into college programs, we’re creating clear pathways for participation, leadership, and lifelong engagement.”

The partnership is supported by one of the most prominent franchises and ownership groups in professional pickleball. Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Pickleball Team.  “Youth development is the foundation of any sport that wants to grow the right way,” said Adam Behnke of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team. “By investing in kids early — especially in a city as diverse and dynamic as New York — we’re not only growing pickleball, we’re building community, opportunity, and a future generation of players who see themselves in the game.”

“This partnership shows what’s possible when professional teams invest directly in youth,” added Kris Mayor. “Conquer Kids is creating real impact on the ground, and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team’s support sends a powerful message about where pickleball is headed — toward inclusivity, education, and community-first growth.”

As the Official Youth Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team powered by JOOLA, Conquer Kids will collaborate with BKPT on youth clinics, school activations, community events, and player engagement opportunities, helping bridge the gap between professional pickleball and the next generation of players.

Together, Conquer Kids and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team are not just growing the game — they’re ensuring its future begins in classrooms, gyms, and playgrounds across all five boroughs of New York City.

Conquer (CNQR) is a NYC-based pickleball community and events platform built for busy people who want an easy way to show up and play. Through organized pickleball open play, leagues, clinics, and events, Conquer delivers competitive, social, and well-run experiences for players of all ages and skill levels, with flexible drop-in options and one-off games available through its mobile app.

The company also operates Conquer Kids, the Official Youth Program of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team powered by JOOLA. Conquer Kids focuses on introducing the sport through school partnerships and community-based programming. Together, Conquer builds community by unlocking underused city spaces and making pickleball the easiest sport to play in NYC.

For more information about Conquer or if you are interested in bringing Conquer Kids to your school, visit conquerpickleball.com/kids and follow on social media: Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Brooklyn Pickleball Team (BKPT) is Brooklyn’s Premier Level Major League Pickleball (MLP) team. The BKPT 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’s first-ever MLP Championship was won on November 5, 2023 in Dallas as DC Pickleball Team (DCPT). The current roster includes Rachel Rohrabacher, former D-I tennis star at the University of South Carolina, MLP Champion, and top-four ranked pickleballer; Dekel Bar, former pro tennis player and world pickleball ranked #6; Riley Newman, world ranked #7 in pickleball and Champion; Jackie Kawamoto, former D-I tennis standout at the University of Dayton and key player from the 2023 Championship roster; Hannah Blatt, former pro Canadian squash player and rising pickleball talent; and Pat Smith, Men’s Conference Player of the Year at UMKC and former pro tennis star.

For more information about Brooklyn Pickleball Team, visit brooklynpickleballteam.com and follow on social media: X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and the Team Shop.

Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) is the preeminent, coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring over 100 of the best athletes across 22 teams, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. In 2024, MLP and the PPA Tour merged under the newly-formed United Pickleball Association (UPA), bringing together the leading pro pickleball organizations under a single entity. Visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for more information.