Photo Credits to: UPA Asia
UPA Asia has opened applications for Season 2 of its Trailblazers Program and, this year, the talent pipeline gets a major lift: a strategic partnership with the Racket Professional Organization (RPO) to professionalize coaching across Asia. The collaboration expands Trailblazers beyond player development to include structured coach education and mentorship.
“As pickleball surges across Asia, coaches are key to sustaining that momentum,” said West Shaw, CEO of RPO. “This partnership with UPA Asia gives us the platform to equip coaches with the tools and experience they need to support the growth of the sport.”
RPO Named Technical Partner
As the program’s official technical partner, RPO will design coaching standards and curriculum with UPA Asia, creating a consistent framework for how the sport is taught—from fundamentals to high-performance decision-making. The organizations will also co-author the Trailblazers Technical Handbook, a shared playbook to align training language, practice planning, and evaluation across the continent.
Collin Johns to Head December Pre-Selection Camp
Former world No. 1 doubles player and RPO Center of Excellence Technical Director Collin Johns has been appointed Head Coach of the Trailblazers Pre-Selection Training Camp in December. Johns will design and lead the camp, aligning elite on-court tactics with modern coaching pedagogy.
“As both a player and a coach, I’ve seen firsthand how the right training environment can completely change the trajectory of an athlete or a coach,” Johns said. “The Trailblazers Program gives us the chance to work with players and coaches who are shaping the next era of pickleball in Asia. I look forward to helping them grow, compete, and inspire the communities they serve.”
Johns will be supported by Chris Harradine, Josh Jenkins, and a roster of experienced coaches from across Asia, blending global best practices with regional insight.
Photo Credits to: UPA Asia
A Bigger Lane for Coaches
Season 2 doubles as a proving ground for Asian coaches via RPO’s COEBRA program, which places coaches inside high-intensity training environments for practical, mentored experience. The goal: build a deeper bench of certified, competition-ready coaches who can scale pickleball sustainably at clubs, schools, and academies.
“This partnership with RPO is a cornerstone of our strategy to build a sustainable future for pickleball in Asia,” said Kimberly Koh, Managing Director of UPA Asia. “By investing in our coaches, we are investing in the entire ecosystem. The Trailblazers Program, now supercharged with RPO’s expertise, will create a lasting pipeline of talent that will elevate the sport for years to come.”
How to Apply
Players seeking a spot in the new Trailblazers cohort can apply through UPA Asia’s official link. Applications close on October 19, 2025.
Timeline and Outcomes
- December 2025: Pre-Selection Training Camp led by Head Coach Collin Johns
- By March 2026: Announcement of the Class of 2026
- Top Trailblazers: A two-year UPA Asia pro contract and an all-expenses-paid competitive immersion in the United States, including opportunities to compete on the Carvana PPA Tour
With applications now open and a December camp led by Collin Johns on the horizon, Season 2 signals a step-change for Asian pickleball—one built on standards, mentorship, and opportunity. If the region meets the moment, Trailblazers won’t just crown new pros; it will seed a generation of coaches and competitors ready to push the sport forward.
