Pickleball Leadership, the innovative leadership development company founded by Dr. Kaliym A. Islam, is expanding its mission beyond corporate boardrooms and into schools. The organization has announced plans to launch a youth program that uses pickleball as a foundation for teaching leadership, communication, and life skills, and is currently seeking its first partner school to serve as the inaugural pilot.
“We have seen firsthand how pickleball strengthens leadership in adults,” says Islam. “But the real impact comes when you start early. It’s easier to shape a mindset than to change one. By teaching kids these skills now, we can change the trajectory of their futures.”
The move into schools marks a natural evolution for Pickleball Leadership. Built on peer-reviewed research, the company has already shown how pickleball enhances essential leadership skills such as adaptability, team cohesion, and morale. Through workshops, coaching, and bestselling books, Islam has helped entrepreneurs, executives, and educators alike adopt practical tools rooted in the game.
Now, the same proven framework will be tailored for youth. The school-based program takes inspiration from community initiatives that Islam once led. There, children balanced athletics with academics and counseling. Pickleball Leadership plans to recreate that balance. Students will spend time on the court learning the game while also participating in structured sessions focused on leadership, communication, and personal growth.
“Our model is simple but powerful,” Islam explains. “For every hour kids spend on the pickleball court, they will spend an hour in counseling or life-skills sessions. The goal is to build resilience, confidence, and the ability to work as a team, skills that translate directly into the classroom and, later, into their careers.”
The urgency of the initiative is clear. Poor leadership remains a widespread issue in organizations across industries, often driving employees to leave their jobs. “People don’t quit companies, they quit leaders,” Islam emphasizes. By reaching children early, Pickleball Leadership aims to ensure the next generation enters the workforce with stronger values and habits, avoiding many of the pitfalls that plague workplaces today.
The organization is actively searching for its first school partner to serve as a case study and proof of concept. “We want that inaugural school to help us demonstrate how powerful this approach can be,” says Islam. “It’s not just about playing a sport. It’s about creating leaders who are prepared for the challenges ahead.”
While the program structure is ready, funding remains a challenge. Many school districts face budget constraints, which is why Pickleball Leadership is exploring partnerships with equipment manufacturers, investors, and grant providers. With pickleball named the fastest-growing sport in the United States for four consecutive years, Islam believes the industry itself has a role to play. “If businesses are benefiting from the growth of pickleball, why not reinvest in local communities and help us prepare future leaders?” he asks.
Pickleball Leadership sees this expansion as both a solution for today’s leadership crisis and an investment in tomorrow. “We have proven the model works for adults,” Islam concludes. “Now it’s time to put paddles in kids’ hands, give them the tools to lead, and watch what they can achieve.”
For schools, investors, or partners interested in supporting the initiative, Pickleball Leadership is welcoming conversations to help bring the program to life.
Media Contact
Name: Kaliym Islam
Email: kislam@mac.com
Source: The Newsdesk
Release ID: 1896424
