Association services, namely, promoting public awareness of pickleball for growth and development of the sport

The USA Pickleball Association (USAPA) is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the US. As such, USAPA is tasked with regulating all the equipment used for sanctioned competition. As part of this responsibility, USAPA contracts with an independent lab for testing services and also has established the Equipment Evaluation Committee (EEC), which is led by the USAPA Managing Director of Competition and consists of two individuals with engineering backgrounds and diverse experience in sports. The EEC evaluates manufacturer's prototypes and new product introductions, which may use new shapes, configurations or surface treatments. The EEC is a review body that ensures these developments are consistent with maintaining the nature of the game. To further the testing and evaluation process, USAPA is in the process of formulating an "industry association" for pickleball manufacturers who will have the opportunity to work directly with USAPA on equipment ideas as well as matters dealing with product testing and evaluation