About Us

Born near Seattle, WA in 1965, Pickleball has become the fastest growing sport in America. Largely popular with older adults, it is catching on like wildfire with junior athletes around the country. Missing from this rapid expansion is the availability of traditional junior club programs for practice and competition. Junior players found themselves largely playing parents and adults to satisfy their craving to learn the sport.

Monster Athlete Juniors has deep roots in USA Volleyball club programs that thrive today in nearly every state. Taking the best features of this model, Monster Athlete Juniors is developing a multi-club junior Pickleball program in Arizona with a vision to expand to other states.

The multi-club model includes various geographic locations holding weekly practices and participating in regular tournament play. This is achieved through the formation of clubs within the MAJ family as well as independent clubs. This is a pioneering effort not currently being offered by other organizations. Athletes between the ages of 10 and 18 have the opportunity to join Pickleball clubs in their area and compete with juniors of similar age and ability from other clubs. A typical playing season runs for about 3 months and we are forecasting two seasons per year.

All of our coaches have significant experience coaching Pickleball and have FBI/Child Abuse clearances. MAJ views coaching different than traditional instruction. Coaching includes teaching proper technique, understanding responsibilities on the court, and learning winning strategies that lead to greater success during competitions. Pickleball will eventually be present in High School and Junior High athletic programs so club Pickleball will give players an edge when they play in their school programs against other schools. High School Pickleball clubs already exist in AZ and these schools have started to play in tournaments with each other. Its just a matter of time before Pickleball becomes a High School sanctioned sport.

Monster Athlete Junior kicked off a pilot club program in May 2024. MAJ will launch a full 3-month season in the Fall of 2024.

Three decades of experience coaching competitive girls’ volleyball at all age levels.
Former Varsity Team coach at Allentown Central Catholic HS – 2016 State Champ.
USAV CAP II Coaching Certification
Former Director – Keystone Region High Performance Program
Former Club Director – Court Authority Volleyball Academy (9yrs), Push The Rock Volleyball Club (9yrs)
Previous Head Coaching – Bethlehem Catholic HS, Nazareth HS, Wm. Allen HS, Salem Christian HS, Christopher Dock Mennonite HS

• 2016 PA High School State Champion
• Two Time USAV Club State Champion
• 2015, 2016 PA District Champion
• 2013, 2014 ACCAC Conference Champion
• Two  USAV Junior National Championship Appearances
• Founder of Monster Athlete Juniors Pickleball and Volleyball

 

Coach Howard also has an AZ fingerprint/child abuse clearance to work with children.

Founder and Director of AZ Youth Pickleball Club in Anthem, AZ, Katie is a wife and a mother of 6. With a solid background in tennis, Katie discovered Pickleball in 2019 and it was love at first dink. As an athlete coming from running marathons, competing in triathlons, and playing soccer, she instantly saw the barriers that exist in sports disappear on the Pickleball court and was hooked. She has used her skills, hard work, innovation, and organization to build a junior Pickleball community in Anthem, AZ.

Katie is a USA Pickleball member with a Level 1 Instructor Certification from PCI and also has an AZ fingerprint/child abuse clearance to work with children.

Katie successfully participates in tournaments and other Pickleball events. Her outgoing personality has enabled her to network with the Pickleball community at a national level.

Paul is in love with Pickleball and enjoys sharing his passion with anyone wanting to get into the sport or improve their game. He has learned that the best thing about Pickleball is the great community it brings together. Paul is a PPR Certified Coach and coaches all levels of children and adults. He is also a high-level tournament player himself and enjoys competing and improving his game. Paul also has an AZ fingerprint/child abuse clearance to work with children.

Outside of Pickleball, Paul is married to his beautiful wife Talia and they have three children Sydney, Macie, and Rhett (a fellow Pickleball addict). Paul is a Financial Consultant and Certified Financial Planner for Charles Schwab. He is also an Iraq Veteran and is in his 18th year in the Army Reserves currently serving in the rank of Major.