Shop Local - Meet J Pritchard
By: Amanda Huntsman
Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America, has captured the hearts of millions but until recently, lacked a premium apparel brand dedicated to its unique needs. That's where J. Pritchard comes into play. Founded by industry veterans and twins Darren and Steve Gable, in partnership with pickleball’s founding family, Joel and Joan Pritchard, who invented the game in 1965. J. Pritchard is not just another clothing brand; it's a heritage apparel brand that pays homage to pickleball's history and aims to become synonymous with the sport's timeless style.
How It Began
The Gables are former professional beach volleyball players who were looking for another sport to be competitive in. After being introduced to pickleball, they fell in love with it. They started entering competitions and noticed there was no meaningful clothing brand based on pickleball. Being in the apparel industry for over 25 years, they decided to create their own collection. They researched the origins of the game and learned that it was invented by The Pritchard Family in 1965. The Gables felt that in order to have the most authentic pickleball brand in the market, it only made sense to connect the founding family about the collection.
The conversation started with a message left on one of the family members, Frank Pritchard’s home answering machine. They followed that up with a handwritten letter. Both the voicemail and the note expressed how the Gables wanted to pay homage to what Frank’s parents had started by building a premium heritage collection.
Frank wanted to meet in person, so they flew to Washington State to meet him. After hitting it off, he agreed to allow the Gables to use the name in exchange for 2 promises: 1) It had to be a premium collection, and 2) his mom had to get credit for naming the sport.
A Legacy of Innovation
This unique collaboration ensures that the brand is deeply rooted in the sport's heritage and values, making it the only apparel brand to receive the blessing of the Pritchard family. Launched just earlier this month, J. Pritchard is already generating excitement among pickleball players.
The inaugural collection combines classic style and modern comfort. With elevated separates and accessories, the brand aims to inspire people everywhere to "play proper," emphasizing the importance of both performance and style in the sport. Whether you're a seasoned pickleball pro or just discovering the game, J. Pritchard's offerings are designed to enhance your experience and make a statement.
J. Pritchard in Newport Beach
An opportunity to collaborate with Fashion Island came about, and J. Pritchard was so excited to be able to share their collection with the residents of Newport and surrounding areas. The Newport Beach community is the perfect demographic for the brand. It represents an active lifestyle and wellness, an appreciation for the finer things in life, and an overall sense of community.
“It was amazing to bring J. Pritchard to Fashion Island and show their clientele how we “play proper.” The team at Fashion Island were incredible partners, and the local residents have been incredibly supportive and responded very positively to the brand. We look forward to future opportunities to bring J. Pritchard to life in Newport Beach”
A Vision for the Future
The Gable twins, Darren and Steve, bring their extensive experience in the apparel industry to the helm of J. Pritchard. Their vision for the brand is clear and compelling: they aim to make J. Pritchard to pickleball what Ralph Lauren is to Polo – an iconic heritage brand synonymous with the classic, timeless style of the sport. With a mission to provide the most premium active apparel possible for players on and off the court, J. Pritchard is poised to become the preeminent lifestyle apparel company in the space, and it holds a unique distinction as the only brand created in partnership with the inventors of the game.
In the rapidly growing world of pickleball, J. Pritchard stands out as a brand dedicated to meeting the needs of players while respecting the sport's origins and its founders. J. Pritchard is poised to make a lasting impact on the pickleball community and become a household name synonymous with the classic, timeless style.
We invite you to follow along as the J. Pritchard story unfolds. And don’t forget to “Play Proper” on and off the court.
J. Pritchard clothing and accessories can be purchased online www.jpritchard.com or at The Tennis and Pickleball Club Newport Beach.
Follow on Instagram @JPritchardBrand to stay up-to-date with new product launches and local pop-ups.
