Two women playing pickleball indoors on a court, with one woman hitting the ball while the other prepares to return it.

Washington DC Pickleball: Play. Connect. Grow.

We Build Community Wellness and Joy.

One Rally at a Time.

Our Mission

WDCP wants to enhance the enjoyment, health, and social engagement of all amateur pickleball participants through organized recreational and competitive play, player development opportunities, and improvement of facilities.

Who We Are

We are a group of avid amateur pickleball players who have come together to increase awareness of and active involvement in the sport of pickleball in DC. We encourage participation and enjoyment of pickleball by new players, visitors, WDCP members, and their guests.

We introduce new players to the game with excellent lessons provided by certified pickleball instructors, and, once introduced, you will find our experienced players are happy to help newer players to practice the fundamentals. Our outdoor and indoor playing venues are convenient and almost all are free. We encourage new players to join a collaborative and welcoming community of experienced amateur players. We’re all there to have fun!

A man playing pickleball in a park, hitting a yellow ball over a net with a paddle, with trees and a blue sky in the background.
Four people standing on a blue pickleball court, holding paddles, celebrating with raised arms, surrounded by other players. Overcast sky and trees in background.
Two women smiling at a gathering in a gymnasium, with people sitting on bleachers and standing in the background.
A man and a woman playing pickleball on an outdoor court during sunset, with the man preparing to hit the ball with his paddle and the woman in a ready position behind him.
Four people posing on a pickleball court with pickleball paddles, other players in the background, and a clear blue sky.
A young boy and an adult man sharing a tennis paddle on an outdoor tennis court during the daytime, with other people playing in the background.
A woman in athletic clothing jumping on a tennis court during sunset, holding a paddle in one hand.
Group of six adults standing on a tennis court, dressed in sportswear, smiling at the camera during a sunny day.
Two people are playing pickleball on a court, shaking hands at the net. There are children playing and a building in the background.

What We Do

    • We host weekly recreational and competitive pickleball sessions across public sites throughout DC.

    • Whether you’re brand new to the sport or a seasoned player, you’ll find friendly, inclusive games and a growing community to play with.

    • WDCP ensures amateur players have a place to show up, compete, and connect.

    • From your first serve to your first tournament, WDCP supports your growth through lessons and skills clinics.

    • We provide equipment—including balls and nets—to remove barriers for new players and make learning approachable and fun.

    • Our instructors and experienced volunteers create a welcoming, no-pressure environment where everyone can build confidence and level up.

    • We bring pickleball to unexpected places—expanding access to movement, joy, and connection through volunteer-powered initiatives.

    • DC Jail Program: Inspired by an article in theWashington Post about Roger BelAir teaching pickleball in prisons, volunteers from Washington DC Pickleball reached out to the DC Department of Corrections to see if a similar program was possible at the DC jail. The response was enthusiastic, and weekly play began at the jail in April 2024. Since then the number of volunteers has grown to more than 10, with regular play occurring indoors in the gym, and outdoors on three courts painted for pickleball. We look forward to welcoming these new players to our pickleball community when they return home.

      Find out more here: https://www.picleague.org/ 

    • Special Events: In partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the National Capital Area, we hosted a sibling match event at Anacostia Park in October 2024.Kids and mentors shared a 90-minute coaching session, with every participant learning to rally, play, and laugh together. Two pairs received paddle kits donated by the Washington DC Pickleball.

    • Providing Access: Our members lead court cleanups, equipment set-ups, and collaborations with city agencies to improve facilities. From Turkey Thicket to Palisades, we’re building a more accessible pickleball infrastructure across the District.

Board Members

  • A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses, wearing a white dress shirt and a blue and orange striped tie, standing against a plain light-colored wall. Scott Parker

    Scott Parker

    Managing Director

  • A smiling woman with gray hair in a purple athletic shirt holding a blue paddle in an outdoor setting with a cloudy sky, palm trees, and other people in the background.

    Ruth Ellis

    Head of Southwest & Southeast DC Locations

  • Portrait of an older woman with short, dark hair and a multicolored patterned shirt, smiling against a blue background.

    Ann Kambara

    Head of Northwest and Northeast Locations

  • An older woman with short gray hair, smiling, wearing a black jacket over a pink shirt, with a name tag that reads 'Janice' and an orange volunteer badge. She is standing indoors near informational posters.

    Janice Pauly

    Director of Competition

  • A very dark and unclear image makes it difficult to determine what is in the picture.

    Open Position

    Membership Relations Director

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair, wearing a dark top, standing indoors near a wooden cabinet.

    Elizabeth Rankin

    Treasurer

  • A professional woman with short brown hair, wearing a dark blazer with red stitching, a maroon top, and a silver chain necklace, smiling at the camera against a light gray background.

    Erika Peace

    Director of Social Media

  • A middle-aged woman with short blonde hair, wearing glasses with a striped pattern, gold hoop earrings, a blue and white striped collared shirt, and a gold necklace, smiling at the camera.

    Dee Mattews

    Social Director

  • A smiling woman with short blonde hair, wearing red glasses, a white top, and layered beaded necklaces, standing indoors near a window.

    Cynthia Grant

    Data Management Director

  • Night sky filled with stars above a dark, silhouetted mountain peak.

    Nora Burke

    Director of Planning

  • Eileen Dougherty

    Eileen Dougherty

    Director of Advocacy

Our Bylaws