Hi friends, CJ here.
I’ve spent the better part of four decades coaching — golf, skiing, personal training, and now the game that has my whole heart, pickleball. When you coach that long, you learn to watch for the small moments that tell you what a community is really made of. And some of the clearest, most telling moments I’ve ever seen happen when women step on a court together.
So that’s what I want to talk about today: the power of women in pickleball, and why women’s-only play matters far more than most people realize.
What I See When Women Play Together
I’ve stood courtside at more tournaments, clinics, and camps than I can count, and the same thing happens again and again.
A bracket comes up short on numbers, so the age groups get combined. Nobody makes it a problem — the women just shrug, smile, and play.
A registration system glitches and the director has to fall back to pen and paper. Nobody makes it a problem. Everyone keeps rolling.
A player runs out of tape, forgets a backup paddle, or tweaks something mid-match — and more often than not, it’s her opponent who reaches into her own bag to help. The woman she’s about to compete against.
That’s the part that still gets me after all these years. Women adapt, support, and take care of each other — even while they’re battling for the same medal. It isn’t an exception. It’s the culture.
Community Over Competition
I love a good competitive match as much as anyone. But what I’ve noticed about women’s pickleball is that the score is rarely the point.
I’ve watched a player land the winning shot to beat her own close friend, and instead of disappointment, the friend’s first reaction was pure joy that she got the win. I’ve seen four women meet at the net after a hard-fought final and trade hugs instead of paddle taps. I’ve seen players sign up with someone they barely know, simply so that person wouldn’t have to miss the event.
That’s the quiet power of women in this sport. The medals come and go. The belonging is what lasts.
Why “Women’s-Only” Doesn’t Mean “Less”
Sometimes people assume a women’s-only setting means easier play, or fewer big hitters. I’d push back on that.
Yes, the room may have fewer “scary bangers.” But what you gain is a space where:
- women genuinely cheer each other on
- age stops being a dividing line
- friendships form fast, often before the first water break
- and players feel safe enough to try, fail, and try again
That last one matters most to me as a coach. Real improvement requires a willingness to look a little awkward while you learn something new. Women’s-only play creates the kind of encouraging, low-judgment environment where that growth actually happens — built on support instead of intimidation.
Why We Created a Women’s-Only Camp
I’ll be honest: a women’s-only camp was something I wanted to do for a long time.
My business partner has been behind it from the start. When we first started running camps together, he was the one asking, “CJ, what can we do for the women? Should we run a women’s track? A women’s-only camp?”
The reason I cared so much is simple. Over the years I’ve seen how much faster women relax, connect, and improve when they’re surrounded by other women who are rooting for them. That’s the exact energy I want every camper to walk into — the same warmth, encouragement, and community I’ve watched unfold on courts for years, now paired with the structure of our coaching framework so you actually leave a better player.
Our Upcoming Women’s Camp
That’s why I’m so excited about our upcoming Women’s Camp in Chandler, AZ — February 25–26, 2027.
It’s an intimate, small-group experience (capped at 12 players, with a student-to-coach ratio of 6:1) built for learning, confidence, connection, and community. You’ll get the personalized, framework-based coaching Better Pickleball is known for, in a room full of women who lift each other up.
You can see the full details, dates, and all of our upcoming camps on our Better Pickleball Camps page — and when you’re ready, you can enroll in the Women’s Camp here.
An Invitation
Pickleball has brought some of the most remarkable women into my life — women who cheer loud, compete hard, and hug tight. When we’re together, it’s never really about the medals or the mistakes. It’s about belonging.
If you want to feel supported, inspired, and surrounded by women who want to see you win, this camp is for you. Come join us at an upcoming Better Pickleball Camp. I’d love to welcome you in.
See you on the courts,
— CJ
CJ Johnson
Hey there — I’m a professional three-sport athlete and coach who has spent my entire adult life earning a living from playing and coaching sports. Since I started coaching more than three decades ago, one thing has remained the same: My commitment to see students not as they are but as what they can become and to move heaven and earth to help them realize their untapped potential. You should know that when it comes to helping pickleball players over 50 live their best lives on and off the courts, I'm an expert. Good pickleball is not just technique; it's the mind and body working holistically. That's why I'm also a personal trainer and weight management specialist. When I’m chillin', you'll find me watching Star Trek with my husband John and our two fur babies, Shirley and Ralph. (Yes, Happy Days)
Really enjoyed this take on why women’s-only pickleball play is so important. Creating comfortable, supportive spaces helps more women stay consistent and confident in the game. As interest keeps growing, it’s nice to see resources like Pickle Ball NVZ also paying attention to women-focused gear and needs. Great read overall.
Love the blog! I started a women only play group just for these very reasons! We are so happy playing together and building each other up. We use a round robin format which gives us all a chance to play with each other and with new players who join our group.