Arizona Watcher
Brett Warner, a five-time national pickleball champion and Mesa resident, helped form pickleball clubs at roughly 30 Arizona schools through PURE Pickleball & Padel, creating local opportunities for students to learn and play.
PURE’s model allows high school students to create official school clubs, organize teams under their school banners and schedule inter-school matches as a bridge to structured competition and potential collegiate play.
Responding to parent and player demand, PURE launched the PURE academy to provide ongoing coaching, practice and competitive opportunities so participation continues after initial school clinics.
Warner’s background includes youth tennis and collegiate play at George Washington University; he won national pickleball championships five consecutive years (2021–2025) and brings that experience to youth program development.
Warner serves as Commissioner of Arizona High School Pickleball and directed the inaugural state championships Dec. 6–7, 2025 in Mesa, which drew 145 athletes from 25 schools; PURE also announced a Club Cup for April 25, 2026.
PURE is advancing regional leagues and is co-developing a planned $65 million Scottsdale facility with 40 indoor pickleball courts; final building permits were approved and the facility is targeted to open in spring 2027.
The PURE academy limits coach-led teams to small rosters (about eight players), organizes teams by Elementary, Middle and High School with Fall/Winter/Spring seasons, and offers summer camps to sustain youth participation.
Brett Warner, a five-time national pickleball champion and Mesa resident, has helped establish roughly 30 school-based pickleball clubs across Arizona through PURE Pickleball & Padel. The effort creates opportunities for inter-school competition, ongoing play through a newly…