Built by a Family. Inspired by a Community.
Pickleball for the Next Generation.
NorCal Youth Pickleball Association was born from a simple belief: every kid deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of playing, learning, and connecting through sports.
Inspired by a family's love of pickleball and a passion for building community, we're starting in Folsom with a vision to bring youth pickleball programs to communities throughout Northern California.
It Started With Family.
Like many families in Northern California, sports are a big part of our lives.
My kids, Walter and Ruby, both play competitive soccer. As a dad and youth sports coach, I've seen firsthand how much kids gain from being part of a team, learning new skills, and challenging themselves.
But pickleball brought something different to our family.
It became a game we could all play together. No pressure, no complicated schedules, no need to be the best player on the court. Just a paddle, a ball, plenty of laughter, and a little friendly competition.
And one of the best parts?
Walter and Ruby learned the rules of pickleball from their grandma.
There's something pretty special about a sport that kids can learn from their grandmother, enjoy with their parents, and play alongside friends of all ages.
That's the magic of pickleball.
And it's what inspired us to create NorCal Youth Pickleball Association.
We wanted to take something our family loves and make it accessible to more kids and families throughout Northern California.
Rooted in Folsom. Built for Northern California.
Building community has always been one of my greatest passions.
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to bring people together through initiatives including Folsom Cordova Tech Week, TEDxFolsom, and the Folsom Foodie Supper Club.
In 2026, I was honored to be named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Choose Folsom Community Awards, a recognition that means a great deal because Folsom is the community where I'm raising my family and building these initiatives.
Through entrepreneurship, technology, food, and now youth sports, my goal has remained the same:
Build community. Create experiences. Bring people together.
NorCal Youth Pickleball Association is a natural extension of that mission, operating under the Granite City Entrepreneur Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
We're starting in Folsom with the goal of bringing accessible, fun, and welcoming youth pickleball programs to communities throughout Northern California.
2026 Entrepreneur of the Year — Choose Folsom Community Awards
- Folsom Cordova Tech Week
- TEDxFolsom
- Folsom Foodie Supper Club
Our Mission
To make pickleball accessible, fun, and welcoming for youth across Northern California through quality instruction, community-based programs, recreational play, and opportunities for healthy competition.
Our Vision
A Northern California where every child has an opportunity to pick up a paddle, find a community, and discover a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.
More Than Just a Sport.
We believe youth sports should be about more than winning games.
They should help kids build confidence, make friends, learn sportsmanship, develop new skills, and discover activities they can enjoy for life.
Our programs are guided by five core values.
Fun Comes First
Kids should leave the court smiling and wanting to come back.
Everyone Belongs
Whether you're brand new or an experienced athlete, there's a place for you.
Community Matters
We're building connections between kids, parents, coaches, and local communities.
Growth Over Winning
Confidence, sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal improvement matter more than the scoreboard.
A Sport for Life
We're introducing kids to a game they can enjoy with friends, parents, grandparents, and maybe even their great-grandparents.
Meet Our Founder
Matthew Loughran, EMBA, is a Folsom-based entrepreneur, community builder, youth sports coach, and proud father of Walter and Ruby.
Recognized as 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year at the Choose Folsom Community Awards, Matthew has spent years developing initiatives that bring people together and strengthen the local community.
His community-building efforts include Folsom Cordova Tech Week, TEDxFolsom, and the Folsom Foodie Supper Club.
But one of his favorite roles is being a dad.
Between coaching youth sports, supporting his children's competitive soccer activities, and enjoying family pickleball games, Matthew believes some of the best memories are made through sports and shared experiences.
After watching Walter and Ruby discover the joy of pickleball—including learning the rules from their grandma—Matthew was inspired to help introduce the game to more young people.
NorCal Youth Pickleball Association brings together his passions for family, youth sports, and community building.
The goal is simple: give more kids the chance to play, make friends, build confidence, and discover a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.
Community Initiatives
- Folsom Cordova Tech Week
- TEDxFolsom
- Folsom Foodie Supper Club
- Youth Sports Coaching
Meet Walter & Ruby
The Inspiration Behind the Association.
Walter and Ruby are competitive youth soccer players who also love spending time on the pickleball court.
For them, pickleball isn't about rankings, tournaments, or pressure. It's about having fun, learning something new, and enjoying time with family.
Their introduction to the game came from their grandma, who taught them the rules and helped turn pickleball into a family activity.
Their enthusiasm inspired the idea of creating more opportunities for kids throughout Northern California to experience that same joy.
Because sometimes the best ideas start with something as simple as playing together.
The Next Generation Starts Here.
We're just getting started.
Our first youth pickleball programs are being developed in Folsom, California, with plans to bring opportunities to more communities throughout Northern California.
Whether you're a parent, coach, volunteer, community partner, or simply someone who believes kids deserve more opportunities to play, we'd love to have you be part of what we're building.
Because the next generation of pickleball starts with the next kid who picks up a paddle.