Published July 18, 2025

It started with a borrowed paddle and a humbling first game. Nearly two decades later, Dave Vander Weide’s dedication to growing pickleball across Central Florida is helping bring the sport to Orange County schools through a new partnership with leading brand JOOLA.

JOOLA USA, a leading pickleball brand, is hosting its first Pickleball Celebration August 29 to September 4, 2025, at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. The weeklong event will feature tournament play, professional clinics, and an exhibition match, but its most lasting impact may happen off the courts.

In a special agreement tied to the event, JOOLA has pledged to donate over 550 paddles, 1,100 pickleballs, and 20+ nets to Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) provided that all volunteer needs for the event are met.

“This is the first time JOOLA is offering a school package, and it’s an incredible opportunity to spark youth involvement in pickleball,” Dave Vander Weide told The Orlando Life. He helped broker the donation through his work with local schools and community organizations.

To fulfill the equipment donation, JOOLA is calling on the local community to sign up for volunteer roles ranging from court installation and dismantling to match support as Pod Managers. Volunteers will be rewarded with a free Ben Johns Perseus Pro IV 16mm paddle, retailing at $279.95, and complimentary parking.

“We believe deeply in growing the sport from the ground up,” Hope Tolley, Director of Program Development at JOOLA USA, told The Orlando Life. “By providing this equipment to Orange County schools, we’re not just giving students gear, we’re giving them access. We’re giving them a sport that can build community, promote health, and create connection.”

Few know the power of pickleball to do just that better than Vander Weide.

Introduced to the sport over 15 years ago during a visit to The Villages, Vander Weide was initially overwhelmed by the skill level of the people he played with. “I felt so frustrated I wanted to throw the paddle over the fence,” he recalled. But with guidance and encouragement, his perspective shifted. “No matter how good you are, it’s important to work with beginners. Look what their actions did for me and for pickleball in the Greater Orlando area.”

Since then, Vander Weide has become one of the region’s leading advocates for the sport. He founded GO Pickleball (Greater Orlando Pickleball LLC), serves as the Florida Central District Ambassador for USA Pickleball, and has introduced the game to schools, HOAs, rec centers, and even the Special Olympics. He has personally coached more than 100 new players in the last year alone.

That local momentum has paralleled the rise of professional pickleball across the country, including right here in Central Florida. The Orlando Squeeze, one of Major League Pickleball’s newest teams, has brought national attention to the region, building on the grassroots foundation laid by advocates like Vander Weide.