Start A Club
A step-by-step guide to help students launch a pickleball club on campus.
Quick Start Overview - 6 Easy Steps
Starting a collegiate pickleball club is easier than you think. Most schools require 3–6 simple steps:
Form a small group of interested players
Prepare a club proposal or constitution
Find a faculty/staff advisor (if required)
Submit paperwork to your Student Activities office
Secure court access and equipment
Start recruiting players and hosting events
You’ll find templates and guides below to help you through each step.
Frequently Asked Questions
At CollegiatePB, we’ve answered a lot of questions from players, coaches, and campus advisors across the country. Below is a collection of the ones we get asked most often — along with simple, helpful answers to make starting (or growing) your club a whole lot easier.
How do I start a club at my school?
Most collegiate pickleball clubs begin as student organizations. Because every school has its own process for starting new organizations, your first step is to contact your school’s Student Activities Office (sometimes called the Office of Student Life or Campus Involvement). They can walk you through the requirements for registering a new club.
Once your organization is approved, you can apply to become an official club sport if your school offers that designation.
Some schools even have two groups — a large student organization open to all players, and a smaller, more competitive travel team that requires tryouts.
Does my club have to be officially recognized?
Not necessarily. You can still compete in regional and national collegiate pickleball events without being an officially recognized club.
However, it’s important to understand your university’s policies to avoid any issues. Many schools have strict rules about using the name, logo, or branding of the university.
If your club is officially recognized, keep in mind that there are often additional rules around fundraising, travel, and financial reporting that you’ll need to follow.
How do we recruit players?
Most collegiate pickleball clubs grow organically through word of mouth and personal connections. Many schools also host tables during student fairs each semester to attract new members.
Some clubs recruit athletes from other sports like basketball, volleyball, or tennis — they often adapt quickly and bring valuable athletic experience.
Promoting your club through social media, open play days, and collabs with Campus Rec or other student organizations can also boost awareness and help your roster grow.
How many members do we need?
You only need as few as four members (two men and two women) to field a team. But don’t worry about starting small — most collegiate pickleball clubs grow quickly and reach large membership numbers within a year thanks to the sport’s rising popularity.
Will I need a bank account?
Most likely, yes. If your club expects to collect dues, do fundraising, pay for courts or equipment, or accept donations or sponsorships, you will need to set up a dedicated bank account so club funds are kept separate from personal finances.
Note: Each college or university may have its own policies about student organization banking or outside fundraising. Clubs should check with their Student Activities or Student Affairs office for specific requirements.
How do we raise funds for travel and other costs?
Fundraising is one of the biggest priorities for collegiate pickleball clubs. Many raise money by hosting tournaments, teaching clinics, or running fun events and asking for donations.
To make fundraising easier, we’ve created the CollegiatePB Exchange, a growing resource that connects clubs with sponsors, discounts, and affordable gear to help offset costs and support your team’s growth.
Should I reach out to other colleges in my area if they have a pickleball club?
Absolutely. Other college pickleball clubs are often the most helpful resource when you’re getting started. They’ve already been through the process and know what it takes to launch and grow a club. Plus, this is a uniquely supportive community — most clubs are excited to connect, share advice, and help grow collegiate pickleball.
How do we further connect with the community?
Create an Instagram page for your club and start following other collegiate pickleball programs — it’s one of the easiest ways to plug into the community. Be sure to follow us too at @collegiatepbhub to stay in the loop with everything happening across collegiate pickleball.
Also, be sure to join our Discord community where you can connect with tours, sponsors, vendors, and other clubs directly.
How do we get our club added to the Club Listings?
It’s easy! Just follow us on Instagram @collegiatepbhub — we’re always discovering new schools and adding them to our nationwide database.
Or, if you want to make sure we don’t miss you, send us a quick email at info@collegiatepb.com with your school name, location, and club Instagram handle.
We’ll review it and get your club added to the Club Listings page!
Official Guides & Templates
Instead of reinventing the wheel, we’ve curated the best existing resources from the national leaders in pickleball.
DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Club Guide
Since day one, DUPR has been instrumental in helping colleges establish pickleball clubs. Their expertise is well-recognized and provides colleges with comprehensive, in-depth guidance.
Step by Step Instructions to starting a club
A 24-page complete modern guide covering structure, leadership, budgets, events, recruitment, and more.
USA Pickleball Club Resources
USA Pickleball provides excellent downloadable tools including:
How to Start a Club (USA Pickleball)
Sample Constitution & Bylaws
Budget Planning
Club Best Practices
Rulebooks & Court Specifications
Grant Opportunities
CollegiatePB Additional Resources
We are excited for your journey within the Collegiate Pickleball Community to start! Welcome!