MACS supporting veterans in San Juan, Puerto Rico
MACS recently completed another successful event in San Juan, Puerto Rico at SMASH LABS, where more than 20 Veterans participated in and completed an intensive 6-week Padel & Pickleball clinic.
Throughout the program, Veterans learned the fundamentals and strategies of both sports while enjoying time on the courts, building social connections, strengthening camaraderie, and most importantly—having fun.
Special thanks to Gearbox Pickleball, All Racquet Sports, and SMASH LABS for helping make another successful event possible.
"This past week, MACS had the privilege to celebrate and graduate 8 more Veterans from the Bronx VA Medical Center from the MACS Adaptive Padel clinic in Brooklyn (Williamsburg) NY. They went through a 6-wk training program, learning about the fundamentals of padel; serves, lobs, and how to take the ball of the back wall to keep rallies going. We want to say Thanks to Padel Haus, USPA, All-Racquet Sports and Adidas for making this event possible!
CONGRATS to all the Vets - enjoying this sport of Padel!"
Expanding the Future of Adaptive Pickleball
MACS leadership recently attended the International Racquets Conference to advance a major initiative: collaborating with PPR on the development of an Adaptive Pickleball Instructor Certification Program. This partnership effort represents an exciting step toward strengthening education, elevating standards, and expanding access to adaptive training nationwide.
While at the conference, the team also connected with pickleball and tennis professionals from across the country to grow new clinic locations and welcome additional instructors into the MACS network. The momentum continues as we work to expand opportunities and impact for the adaptive sports community.
MACS in the Headlines!
Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS) recently held a two-day padel clinic for veterans of the Atlanta VA Medical Center and surrounding metropolitan area. Sixteen veterans from the surrounding area learned the basics, volley drills, the importance of the lob, correct grip and paddle/racquet control, along with truly enjoying themselves. The clinic was led by Steven Harper, the Executive Director of MACS, who travels the country teaching veterans padel and other adaptive court sports activities.
Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS) provides "turn-key" 6-week court sports activities such as pickleball, badminton, racquetball, and padel instructional programs tailored to the needs of veterans and active-duty service members with injuries. Participants graduate from our initial 6-week clinics and continue on to the next cycle of instruction. MACS works with local VA Medical Centers and military installations to fulfill its mission.
We want to Thank the staff Padel Haus - ATL for hosting us for this event. USA Padel and All Racquet Sports for supporting our overall mission of helping veterans nation-wide.
MACS in
Padel Magazine!
One organization pioneering adaptive padel in the United States is Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS), which delivers racket sports for veteran and active-duty service members with visible and invisible injuries and their families.
“We’re using racquet sports as a means of rehabilitation to our veterans,” explained Harper. “The Department of Veteran Affairs, which provides our funding, isn’t equipped to reach the audience like we can. So small organizations, like MACS are delivering programs which are able to provide one-on-one reach with the veterans.
Adaptive Padel Clinic
MACS recently hosted another adaptive padel clinic (June 30th) at the "Padel Planet" padel club in Richmond for the Veterans in Hampton Va. MACS travels the country hosting these types of adaptive sports clinics (which includes: Badminton, Pickleball, Racquetball, and Padel)to Veterans nation-wide.
Team SEMPER FI
Last week, Military Adaptive Court Sport (MACS) partnered with Team SEMPER FI at the King of Padel facility in San Diego to host another adaptive pickleball and padel mini-camp for wounded warriors. Disabled veterans from across the country attended this three-day event to learn the fundamentals of court sports using both pickleball and padel.
The mini-camp was led by Steven Harper, Executive Director of MACS, along with his counterparts'; Steve Kearney - MACS National Badminton Instructor & Mike Smith - MACS Regional Pickleball Instructor. His vision is to use adaptive sports (pickleball and padel) as a rehabilitation tool to help veterans cope with physical challenges, such as amputations, and mental injuries like PTSD from combat continues.
Last week's event had some 20+ veterans, who were introduced to basic fundamental pickleball drills, such as the "Dink", better means to serve, and foot-work drills to better their overall game. Led by Coach Mike, they could see a vast improvement from day one until the last day. In fact, there was a non-sanctioned doubles tournament on the last day to see which veterans retained their skills. The competition was fierce and fun!
While pickleball lessons were taking place on one side of the facility, Coach Steve Kearney and Steven Harper were teaching another set of veterans the new sport of padel. All the veterans who came into town had never heard of this Latin-American game. Played as a combination of tennis, pickleball, and racquetball in mind (within the confinements of a panoramic glass view and side fences), veterans learned the basic fundamentals such as; footwork drills, how to slice the ball, and proper serving techniques. Played as a team of doubles, after about 30 minutes of learning some basic drills and grip techniques, these veterans enjoyed playing and rally hitting. They loved it so much they were eager to get back on the courts in their local areas.
This past weekend was a total hit with these traveling veterans. Thanks to the vision of Team SEMPER FI (Marianne & Kelcey) for making this event possible!
(March 2025)
MACS at the 3WallBall World Championships at THE STRAT, Las Vegas, NV
Thanks to Mike Coulter and 3WallBall for their continued support of MACS. The MACS ProAm Doubles event Thursday evening was so much fun and then Saturday morning featured veterans who have participated in our racquetball clinics playing in a round robin doubles competition with the help of numerous volunteers. A big thank you to everyone at the 3WallBall World Championships for their continued support. We could not continue our mission of healing through sport without your help!
Nine Line Apparel, is a veteran founded and oriented apparel company that has made a significant commitment to support the mission of Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS).
MACS Pickleball Director, Gabe George said, “Nine Line is a great partner for MACS as their origin and tenets align perfectly with the mission of MACS…”
Nine Line Director of Sales, John Bohannon added, “A partnership with MACS provides Nine Line Apparel the opportunity to support our nation's veterans in a way that gives those veterans a sense of community around a fun common interest. Seeing the joy that the athletes have in competing and the dedication MACS has in supporting their interest makes us all proud to contribute!”.
Lowcountry Pickleball Classic 2025 Recap!
The action was non-stop at Sun City during this year’s Lowcountry Pickleball Classic!
Over 400 players competed across 44 different divisions over 3 exciting days—bringing together a wide range of ages and skill levels.
The City of Hardeeville Media Team stopped by to capture some of the fun and talk to players and organizers about what makes this event so special.
Sun City TV: We Support Veterans in the Community!
Catch the excitement at the Low Country Pickleball Classic to see how adaptive Pickleball is played. Discover information about medical benefits for veterans and how to access them in your area. (MACS is featured at the 10:55 mark)
-
Tampa, FL; February 4, 2024: The Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) has awardedMilitary Adaptive Court Sp
orts (MACS) their annual Humanitarian Award during the International Racquets Conference held February 3 – 11 at the Saddlebrook Resort. PPR is the leading certification body for pickleball instructors, and the conference brought together leaders in instruction from pickleball, tennis, and padel for education, certification, and the sharing of resources. MACS was invited to participate in the conference and had a display table for the course of the event. MACS clinicians in pickleball are PPR certified coaches and instructors.
MACS Executive Director, Steven Harper (Lt. Cmdr. – US NAVY, Ret.) who received the award on behalf of MACS said, “this is a great honor for PPR to recognize MACS and to showcase the work we do for veterans and active service members as they learn and continue to play the sport of pickleball.”
About Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS)
Military Adaptive Court Sports is a veteran based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting adaptive Pickleball, Table Tennis, Racquetball, Padel, and Badminton programs for disabled armed service members and veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), amputation, Spinal-Cord Injuries (SCI), and substance/alcohol abuse due to the negative effects of combat.
About Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR)
We love pickleball and those who teach it. It is our mission to educate, certify, and serve coaches so that the sport we love can continue to grow. We are here to make becoming a great coach easier. Whether it is providing you with the credentials you need to take your career to the next level, giving you access to the most current coaching methods that will help you deliver outstanding results to your students, or connecting you with like-minded coaches around the world, we are here to support you!
-
Las Vegas, NV; November 20, 2023: Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS) is excited to announce CORE Pickleball as the Official Pickleball of MACS. CORE Pickleball was founded with the mission to change the game from within by making pro-level, high quality, and crack resistant equipment accessible to everyone. CORE created a pickleball that plays fast, stays round, and cracks less at an affordable price. MACS will use the CORE pickleball exclusively at all our clinics, exhibitions, and events.
MACS Executive Director Steven Harper (Lt. Cmdr. – US NAVY, Ret.) said “this relationship with CORE will be a great opportunity to use and provide the best pickleball on the market to veterans and active service members as they learn and continue to play the sport”. Justin Pollack, CORE Founder said, “We’re honored to be working with this wonderful organization supporting veterans”.
About Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS)
Military Adaptive Court Sports is a veteran based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting adaptive Pickleball, Racquetball and Badminton programs for disabled armed service members and veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), amputation, Spinal-Cord Injuries (SCI), and substance/alcohol abuse due to the negative effects of combat. Website: www.militaryadaptivecourtsports.org
About CORE Pickleball
CORE designs premium, durable, USAPA-approved pickleball equipment to enable great experiences for every player, both on and off the court. Our products strike the ideal balance between professional play and pure fun.
For more information on CORE, visit www.corepickleballusa.com
-
Morrisville, NC; July 10, 2023: Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS) is excited to announce a strategic cross promotional marketing alliance with DUPR, the leading pickleball ratings organization. This alliance will offer both organizations opportunities to promote the relationship through their respective events and social media platforms.
Included in this relationship will be the opportunity for MACS to provide an exhibition and clinic for Veterans and injured service members at the DUPR Waterfall Nationals to be held October 12-15 at the Oasis Pickleball Club in Rockwall, TX. Team DUPR Athletes will also be invited to participate in MACS clinics and exhibitions held throughout the country.
MACS Executive Director Steven Harper (Lt. Cmdr. – US NAVY, Ret.) said “this cross promotional relationship with DUPR will be a great opportunity to expose the work we are doing with Veterans and active service members to countless pickleball players and fans reaching so many new people that otherwise would not know about us and what we do”. Kerri Wachtel, DUPR Waterfall Program Director, said “DUPR is excited about the partnership with MACS, as it epitomizes what we are striving to achieve, which is allowing every pickleball player the opportunity to enjoy the sport we all love. We will leverage and promote the great work MACS is doing while educating players on all the positive attributes DUPR can bring. I can’t wait to have MACS as an integral part of Waterfall Nationals in October.”
About Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS)
Military Adaptive Court Sports is a veteran based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting adaptive Pickleball, Racquetball and Badminton programs for disabled armed service members and veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), amputation, Spinal-Cord Injuries (SCI), and substance/alcohol abuse due to the negative effects of combat. Website: www.militaryadaptivecourtsports.org
About DUPR
DUPR is the gold standard in Pickleball ratings and event management and is the official ratings system for MLP and PPA. For more information on DUPR, visit www.mydupr.com and follow DUPR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
-
MRF ProAm Doubles at the 3 WallBall World Pro Championships
The MRF would like to express their gratitude to the players who stepped up and donated to the event and to the pros who volunteered to be their partners. The evening was fun and filled with friendly competition. Mike Blackney and Jose Diaz emerged as the 2020 ProAm Doubles Champions defeating Steven Harper and Adam Manilla in the final match of the evening. We would also like to thank Mike Coulter and 3 WallBall for once again inviting the MRF to be a part of this great event.
Who are those masked players?????
Adam Manilla, Jason Sauer, Rhonda Rajsich, Mike Blackney, Janel Tisinger-Ledkins, Ernest Diemoz, Norm McNutt, Ken Shockley, Michelle De La Rosa, Daniel De La Rosa, Howard Chennault, Carla Munoz, David Nix, Freddy Ramirez, Jose Diaz
Not pictured Geoff Holmes, Wendall Pelham, Doug Fulp, Steven Harper, Vic Mandella
-
MACS & Southern Nevada Pickleball Club (SNPC) hosted a Veterans pickleball demonstration at Durango, NV. An enthusiastic group along with Earl Stitt & Steven Harper helps the group learn the basics.
-
In these times of Covid our programs have been put on hold, but we are pleased to announce the return of a two-day interactive Pickleball demonstration. December 17th & 18th, 10am to 1pm at Ralph H. Johnson VAMC, Community Resource & Referral Center – CRRC, Charleston SC.
To participate, please contact Raymond Scott Sr. raymond.scott@va.gov. To assist with instruction, please contact Steven Harper (LDCR-Ret.) sharper@militaryadaptivecourtsports.org.
-
Military Adaptive Court Sports (MACS) is proud to announce a partnership with Southern Nevada Pickleball Club (SNPC) to introduce disabled veterans and service members to pickleball. This partnership is the first of a nationwide program MACS will rollout throughout 2021. Earl Stitt, retired U.S. Air Force Reserves Command Pilot, will be the key contact for the Las Vegas program which will include introductory clinics, ongoing play, and community integration for military and their families.
