Only a few years ago, the idea of college pickleball teams traveling across the world to compete on an international stage would have seemed ambitious at best. Today, it's a reality.

This summer, four student-athletes representing four seperate JOOLA-sponsored universities will make the journey to Bangkok, Thailand, for the Asia Pickleball University Championship, where they'll compete, connect with young players, and help showcase the rapidly growing impact of collegiate pickleball. This trip is a reflection of a sport that continues to expand its global reach, and creates opportunities for students to represent their schools and their country far beyond campus.

How it Came Together

The opportunity came together earlier this spring when Hunter Aiono, Collegiate Pickleball Director for the United Pickleball Association, reached out to JOOLA with an invitation to participate in the Asia Pickleball University Championship. Rather than sending a traditional all-star roster, the vision was clear: create a team that represented the growth, talent, and diversity of collegiate pickleball by bringing together standout players from JOOLA-sponsored universities across the country.

When the proposal was presented to JOOLA leadership, the response was immediate. Supporting student-athletes and investing in the future of the sport has long been a priority for the brand, and the chance to showcase collegiate pickleball on an international stage aligned perfectly with that mission. The result is a unique opportunity for four student-athletes to represent not only their schools, but the continued evolution of college pickleball as it expands beyond campus competition and onto the global stage.

Meet Team JOOLA

Representing Team JOOLA in Thailand will be four accomplished student-athletes from across the collegiate pickleball landscape, each bringing their own unique experience, competitive drive, and school pride to the international stage. 

SCROLL THROUGH THE IMAGES ABOVE TO MEET THE TEAM

The roster includes Carter Maris of Indiana University Bloomington, Keena Cheng of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Charles Anderson of University of Miami, Ohio, and Katie Murphy of Harvard University. While they may wear different school colors during the collegiate season, they'll come together in Bangkok with a shared goal: representing collegiate pickleball and showcasing the next generation of talent on a global stage.

Building on a Growing International Rivalry

The Asia Pickleball University Championship builds on the momentum started by the College Pickleball Tour and the PPA. Last fall, a college competition at the PPA World Championships featured a matchup between U.S. and Indian collegiate teams, with Utah Tech University defeating India's college team to claim the first ever College Worlds title. The Thailand event represents the next step in expanding international collegiate pickleball competition, and Team JOOLA will be right in the middle of it.

More Than Just a Team Tournament

The Asia Pickleball University Championship is part of a larger pickleball festival, with the collegiate team competition taking place on Monday, August 3. Beyond the team event, players will also compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles divisions open to adult competitors from around the world, allowing Team JOOLA to test their games across multiple formats on an international stage.

Giving Back Through Junior Development

One of the most meaningful parts of the trip goes beyond competition. The festival also includes junior tournaments and junior clinics, and Team JOOLA players are excited to volunteer and work directly with young athletes in Bangkok. The trip creates a genuine opportunity to promote pickleball development and inspire the next generation of players. 

The Support Making It Possible

Getting four student-athletes to Bangkok takes a team effort, and Team JOOLA has been fortunate to have incredible partners step up to make this trip a reality. JOOLA is covering international airfare for all four players and outfitting them with Pro V paddles, shoes, and bags so they arrive ready to compete. The PPA is covering registration fees, and Centerline Apparel is supplying four uniforms for each player so the team looks the part on the international stage. 

Experiencing Bangkok

Before competition begins, the team will spend their first few days exploring Bangkok and taking in everything the city has to offer. Players are eager to experience Thai culture, food, and landmarks firsthand. And with Katie Murphy having visited Thailand before, she has been unofficially appointed the team's tour guide for the early part of the trip.

Team Support Behind the Scenes

This trip is one example of a much larger commitment. JOOLA continues to invest heavily in the growth of collegiate pickleball, supporting student-athletes and university programs as a core priority. That commitment extends beyond sponsorships to dedicated leadership focused on developing the college game at every level. Collegiate pickleball continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of the sport, and JOOLA intends to be at the forefront of that growth for years to come.