Division 2 and NPL Academy: Elevating the future of Australian pickleball

Introduction

Season 4 adds new depth to the ahm National Pickleball League. With the expansion of Division 2 and the completion of the NPL Academy’s first year, the league is creating stronger pathways for players at every level and showcases the next generation of Australian pickleball talent.

Division 2: Eighteen teams, one champion

NPL’s Division 2, the tier just below the professional league, has levelled up for 2025. As an update to season 4, the pro league has reduced from six teams per state to four. The additional two teams have instead been re-incorporated into Division 2.

Teams were carefully selected by NPL leadership with input from each of the pro captains. As much as possible, each team will have two rising players paired with two experienced campaigners. This structure aims to give up-and-comers the chance to level up their skills and learn from seasoned talent while keeping matches competitive.

Division 2 format at a glance:

• Six teams per state, each playing one another only once during the regular season

• NPL League format used (see the rules and format breakdown here)

• The top team from each state (Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales/ACT) advances to finals

• $3,500 winner-takes-all prize pool

The reduced pro league this season means players who just missed out at the top level have joined Division 2 as both players and captains, including names such as Josh Chia (Captain, VIC), Gabby May (Captain, VIC), Ryan Morris (NSW), and Thanh Huynh (Captain, QLD), among others. Expect the competition to be that much more fierce as a result.

Full team rosters are available on the NPL website.

The NPL Academy: Building tomorrow’s pros

Season 4 sees the NPL Academy class continuing its year-long program. Launched at the start of 2025, the Academy is designed to “identify, nurture, and elevate the next generation of pickleball stars, providing a clear pathway to professional play on the NPL tour.”

The initiative started as a way to identify young talent from across Australia and help players develop their skills by combining coaching, tournament experience, and personalised guidance.

2025 Academy class highlights:

• Female: VIC: Memory Lelenoa, Ayesha Dang; QLD: Fallyn Kelly; NSW: Shannon Spencer

• Male: VIC: Timothy Kouznetsov, Ethan Butson, Chris Ma’asi; QLD: Lachie Donnelly, Banjo Ferris, Nicholas Maleganeas, Liam Jesperson; NSW: Flynn Burrage; SA: Hamish Bartos

What Academy players receive:

• Free entry to all NPL tournaments during the year

• Specialised pre-tournament coaching sessions with pros including Ben Costin, Jason Taylor, Dan Fogl-Kulich, and Zach Grabovic

• Additional invitations reserved for rising talent identified after the initial class selection

While the Academy isn’t formally tied to Division 2 or the pro league, you’ll spot most of these players on team rosters in both, showing just how integral this program has become for spotting and developing up-and-coming talent.

For example, Sahil Dang (VIC) attended a few Academy coaching sessions, played one round in Division 2 last season, then quickly advanced to the pro tour. He went on to captain the Rangers and is now leading the Roos in Season 4. Nick Malaganeas (QLD) is another Academy participant and part of last season’s championship-winning pro team, the Outback.

The founders’ hope is that the NPL Academy continues to be a pathway for discovering and developing hidden gems in the pickleball world, particularly strong female talent which continues to be an area of need for the Aussie scene.

Why these pathways matter

Together, Division 2 and the Academy illustrate the NPL’s commitment to growth and sustainability. Division 2 provides a competitive structure for near-pro players, while the NPL Academy is focused on scouting and developing rising young stars from across the country.

Combined, they create a pipeline where emerging talent can train, compete, and eventually challenge the pro league. It’s elevating the future of Australian pickleball from day one.

Looking ahead: ahm NPL S4 Round 1

Division 2 kicks off alongside the pro league this Saturday! The courts will be action-packed across all three states, so come cheer on your favourite teams and watch the next top stars in action.