Working remotely in San Diego, Meagan Allers found that she needed a social outlet. As an extrovert, she enjoyed connecting with people and building relationships, but working from home made relationship-building especially difficult.
Meagan Allers, founder of the San Diego Pickleball Collective
Pickleball became the perfect social and physical outlet for her. Allers started playing pickleball in a league in La Jolla but transitioned to to playing closer to home at the courts at Waterfront Park. She found herself at the courts every day. She constantly met new people, especially women, who were interested in the game but intimidated to start playing. That’s where she got the idea to start the San Diego Pickleball Collective.
Fast forward to 2025.
“I really wanted to create a space for women to be able to learn the game, to connect, and to build community,” Allers said. “I think it was April 2025, so we’re just over a year [old].”
San Diego Pickleball Collective’s Women’s Social in March was called the “Shamrock Social” and green themed. Photo Credit: Meagan Allers
Over the last year, the San Diego Pickleball Collective has created a community for women and girls of all ages and backgrounds to develop their game. As she has grown the Collective, Allers has put an emphasis on the relationship aspect of pickleball.
Allers often begins her pickleball events by having the women introduce themselves to five others they do not already know. That deliberate community building has likely contributed to the popularity of the Collective. Those who are going for the first time have an immediate opportunity to connect, and long-time members have opportunities to continue to grow their friendships within the group.
“San Diego Pickleball Collective was built one relationship at a time and I’m very intentional when I’m doing events,” Allers said. “I’m introducing people to one another [and] really create a space where people feel welcome.”
The Collective hosts a variety of events for local women. Every week, the Collective hosts “Wednesdays at Waterfront,” where women can gather after the work day. Allers has also hosted multiple beginner clinics at Lifetime Fitness for women who are still getting into pickleball.
To celebrate Major League Pickleball (MLP) heading to San Diego, the San Diego Pickleball Collective is hosting a Kickoff Party in collaboration with the MLP’s Los Angeles Mad Drops on Thursday evening. The Mad Drops are giving the local female pickleball community a VIP experience to kick off the tournament. In addition to three hours of pickleball, the experience includes a meet-and-greet with Ben Johns and other pro pickleball players, a Mad Drops t-shirt, and a courtside ticket to one day of the tournament.
The San Diego Pickleball Collective meets regularly, sharing their joy of pickleball.
The event sold out in minutes, and the waitlist is already lengthy.
“I think that getting to watch the pro teams is really exciting,” Allers said. “I love the team atmosphere and getting to watch the sport being played on such a high level.”
On top of weekly meetups and special events, the San Diego Pickleball Collective also hosts regular Women’s Socials at the Barnes Tennis Center. The socials consist of clinics for players of all levels, open play, food and drinks, and plenty of photo opportunities. The next Women’s Social will take place on July 26 and sign ups will become available soon on Sweatpals.
By creating the San Diego Pickleball Collective, Allers has accomplished her goal of bringing San Diego women together through the game of pickleball. Pickleball has created a “third space” outside of work and home for women to socialize and stay active.
Top photo via Meagan Allers/San Diego Pickleball Collective.
