A new landmark partnership between USA Pickleball (USAP) and the European Pickleball Federation (EPF) is set to raise the bar for refereeing and officiating across the continent — and it’s exciting news for the future of Pickleball Ireland.

The agreement will unify referee training and certification standards across both the United States and Europe, helping to ensure a consistent, professional level of officiating at all levels of play. This alignment not only strengthens the sport’s credibility worldwide but also provides Pickleball Ireland with direct access to a world-class officiating framework, helping us lay solid foundations as we grow nationally.

🔗 What the Partnership Means:

• EPF will adopt USA Pickleball’s officiating best practices across Europe, creating one clear referee pathway.

• USAP will recognize EPF referee credentials, meaning Irish referees will be able to officiate abroad — and vice versa.

• Training materials will be translated and standardised, with collaborative efforts to improve websites and resources.

🎯 A Game-Changer for Ireland

As Pickleball Ireland works toward official recognition as the national governing body, this partnership brings us one step closer to meeting international standards. Through the European Pickleball Federation, it allows us to:

• Participate in the training and EPF certification of referees using a globally accepted system

• Support consistent tournament officiating across all provinces

• Provide clear progression paths for volunteers and officials

• Align with Olympic-level standards as the sport grows worldwide

“This collaboration is a huge win for pickleball communities across Europe,” said Justin Maloof, Chief Competition Officer at USA Pickleball. “With EPF adopting USAP’s gold-standard approach, players and referees in Ireland will benefit from a truly professionalised experience.”

Maria Munz, EPF’s officiating leader, reinforced the goal: “Our aim is to empower every country in Europe — including Ireland — to raise their refereeing standards through access to structured training and credentials.”

🌍 A Step Toward Global Recognition

The announcement comes at a time when pickleball is expanding rapidly throughout Europe and gaining traction at elite international levels. With discussions ongoing around future Olympic inclusion, having one officiating standard positions Ireland — and Europe — to play a key role in that journey.

At Pickleball Ireland, we’re excited about what this means for our tournaments, our referees, and our players. From local club events to national championships, this partnership paves the way for greater professionalism, more international opportunities, and a unified voice in the sport’s global development.

Stay tuned as we begin integrating these standards into our own officiating programs — and if you’re interested in becoming a certified referee or tournament official, now is the perfect time to get involved.

For more information about the European Pickleball Federation:
https://epfpb.org