This Nonprofit Brought Pickleball to the Wounded in War-Torn Ukraine

A few years back, Aaron Trost and a partner played Zane Navratil and John Cincola in a pro event – and swiftly lost 0-15.

It was around then, he jokes with Zane on this week's PicklePod, that he realized his "mission and purpose in pickleball is probably not going pro."

A political consultant in Kansas City, Trost is incredibly busy during an election year but has flexibility otherwise. His passion for pickleball led him to found Pickleball Planter in 2021, a nonprofit that rallies around the goal of spreading the sport around the globe.

"In Kansas City, we have good barbecue, good football, and good rec pickleball. But that can only take me so far," he told Zane.

Spreading the joy of pickleball

Trost's mission has brought him and a bag-full of paddles to countless countries, including Honduras, Hungary, Ukraine, England, Poland, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Just recently, he made a return trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, having been before in 2023.

The trip united him with a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Youth Camp, where they teach in a number of sports. Trost, naturally, pitched them on including pickleball, which was an instant hit.

The trip also aligned him with the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation, a nonprofit "dedicated to building and maintaining the infrastructure necessary for the continued growth of Pickleball."

The UPF has programs for beginners, youth, veterans, and adaptive athletes.

Through teaching clinics and camps, Trost was able to introduce the sport to many people who had never played before. More importantly, he told Zane, was putting a paddle in the hand of some of the 150,000 people permanently disabled due to the ongoing war with Russia, both soldiers and civilians.

The conundrum of court space

Access to playable court space is a huge hurdle to the proliferation of pickleball in Ukraine (and many other countries).

It's currently played mostly in gyms or converted badminton courts – not ideal, says Trost, but better than nothing.

For adaptive athletes in wheelchairs, access can prove even more challenging.

“Finding court space is a big objective of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation,” says Trost. “They have a vision of building a 20-court facility designed for adaptive athletics.”

For this trip alone, Trost was able to bring 200 paddles into Ukraine, plus nets and other equipment.

And he hopes to go back soon.

"Ukraine has a special place in my heart with what they're trying to do with wounded warriors and adaptive athletes," he says.

"Building the World’s First Adaptive Pickleball Center."

A parting shot

According to Trost, the President of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation, Volodymyr Svirskyi, is a Commander of a Mobile Fire Group by night but highly involved in the sport of pickleball during the day.

He's also reportedly a fan of Zane's "chainsaw serve," a now-illegal spin serve Zane once made infamous in pro pickleball.

“It’s not only allowed, it’s encouraged in Ukraine,” Trost said.

You can follow along with Trost on his website, Facebook page or Instagram account.