Katie Van Doren: From Endless Energy to Success in Pickleball
KATIE VAN DOREN: FROM ENDLESS ENERGY TO SUCCESS IN PICKLEBALL
By the Dink Authority Magazine Editorial Team
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Some athletes spend their whole lives chasing one sport. Katie Van Doren has spent hers mastering everything she touches — and pickleball is her latest conquest.
Originally from New Jersey and now based in Austin, Texas, Katie arrived on our radar through social media, where her energy, personality, and competitive drive immediately stood out. What we discovered when we connected with her was a story far bigger than a social media presence: a woman who has reinvented herself multiple times, always at full speed, and who has found in pickleball the perfect arena for everything she brings to the court.
AN ATHLETE BUILT FOR COMPETITION
Katie's athletic background reads like a highlight reel. She played tennis for 15 years, basketball for 8, and competed in cross country at the Division 1 level. She has completed multiple marathons — including 4 in New York and 3 in Boston — as well as a half triathlon. From the time she was 5 years old competing in country western dance, competition has never been optional for Katie. It has been a way of life.
That foundation made the transition to pickleball both natural and explosive.
THE PICKLEBALL JOURNEY
Katie entered the world of pickleball after a period of significant personal change. What began as a hobby quickly became something much more serious. In February 2023, she completed her professional pickleball coaching certification and became the head pickleball coach at a country club in Austin — a role that allowed her to combine her competitive knowledge with her passion for teaching.
A certified pickleball coach serving the Bee Cave and Lakeway, Texas areas, Katie earned a 5.0 medal at the APA tournament in December 2023 — a remarkable achievement that confirmed her rapid rise through the competitive ranks. Just two years earlier, she had been competing at the 3.5 level. The progression speaks for itself.
On the competitive circuit, Katie has participated in PPA pro qualifiers in Mesa and Tucson, where her athleticism and determination have continued to push her toward the highest levels of the game. She balances her passion for pickleball with being a dedicated mom of four and her coaching work at a country club, a gym, and with private clients.
BUILDING THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY
Beyond her personal game, Katie has taken on a role that extends well beyond the court. She serves as National Director of Members for the Founders League — the nation's first pickleball league for founders and CEOs, born in Austin and now expanding nationally.
The Founders League has been running for multiple seasons and has expanded its footprint significantly, with leagues now operating in cities including Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Santa Monica, and Calabasas, with plans to continue growing into major markets across the United States. Wikipedia
In her role, Katie reviews applications from CEOs and founders who wish to join the league in their city, conducts interviews, and ensures that new members align with the league's culture and values. The mission is straightforward: unite business leaders through pickleball, create meaningful connections, and build a national network of entrepreneurs who share a love for the sport.
It is, in many ways, the perfect role for someone who brings both competitive fire and genuine warmth to everything she does.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE PLAYER
What makes Katie Van Doren compelling is not just what she has accomplished — it is how she approaches everything. At 40 years old, she continues to prove that competitiveness has no expiration date. Her ability to balance professional ambitions, family life, coaching, competing, and community building is a reminder that the pickleball court is not just a place to play. For many, it is a place to become.
Katie Van Doren is much more than an athlete. She is a coach, a connector, a competitor, and a mother of four who shows up every day with the same energy that has defined her entire life.
We will be watching — and we have a feeling the best chapters are still ahead.
Guys, I'll see you on the courts.
KATIE VAN DOREN: FROM ENDLESS ENERGY TO SUCCESS IN PICKLEBALL
By the Dink Authority Magazine Editorial Team
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Some athletes spend their whole lives chasing one sport. Katie Van Doren has spent hers mastering everything she touches — and pickleball is her latest conquest.
Originally from New Jersey and now based in Austin, Texas, Katie arrived on our radar through social media, where her energy, personality, and competitive drive immediately stood out. What we discovered when we connected with her was a story far bigger than a social media presence: a woman who has reinvented herself multiple times, always at full speed, and who has found in pickleball the perfect arena for everything she brings to the court.
AN ATHLETE BUILT FOR COMPETITION
Katie's athletic background reads like a highlight reel. She played tennis for 15 years, basketball for 8, and competed in cross country at the Division 1 level. She has completed multiple marathons — including 4 in New York and 3 in Boston — as well as a half triathlon. From the time she was 5 years old competing in country western dance, competition has never been optional for Katie. It has been a way of life.
That foundation made the transition to pickleball both natural and explosive.
THE PICKLEBALL JOURNEY
Katie entered the world of pickleball after a period of significant personal change. What began as a hobby quickly became something much more serious. In February 2023, she completed her professional pickleball coaching certification and became the head pickleball coach at a country club in Austin — a role that allowed her to combine her competitive knowledge with her passion for teaching.
A certified pickleball coach serving the Bee Cave and Lakeway, Texas areas, Katie earned a 5.0 medal at the APA tournament in December 2023 — a remarkable achievement that confirmed her rapid rise through the competitive ranks. Just two years earlier, she had been competing at the 3.5 level. The progression speaks for itself.
On the competitive circuit, Katie has participated in PPA pro qualifiers in Mesa and Tucson, where her athleticism and determination have continued to push her toward the highest levels of the game. She balances her passion for pickleball with being a dedicated mom of four and her coaching work at a country club, a gym, and with private clients.
BUILDING THE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY
Beyond her personal game, Katie has taken on a role that extends well beyond the court. She serves as National Director of Members for the Founders League — the nation's first pickleball league for founders and CEOs, born in Austin and now expanding nationally.
The Founders League has been running for multiple seasons and has expanded its footprint significantly, with leagues now operating in cities including Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Santa Monica, and Calabasas, with plans to continue growing into major markets across the United States. Wikipedia
In her role, Katie reviews applications from CEOs and founders who wish to join the league in their city, conducts interviews, and ensures that new members align with the league's culture and values. The mission is straightforward: unite business leaders through pickleball, create meaningful connections, and build a national network of entrepreneurs who share a love for the sport.
It is, in many ways, the perfect role for someone who brings both competitive fire and genuine warmth to everything she does.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE PLAYER
What makes Katie Van Doren compelling is not just what she has accomplished — it is how she approaches everything. At 40 years old, she continues to prove that competitiveness has no expiration date. Her ability to balance professional ambitions, family life, coaching, competing, and community building is a reminder that the pickleball court is not just a place to play. For many, it is a place to become.
Katie Van Doren is much more than an athlete. She is a coach, a connector, a competitor, and a mother of four who shows up every day with the same energy that has defined her entire life.
We will be watching — and we have a feeling the best chapters are still ahead.
Guys, I'll see you on the courts.
Watch Video
Gallery
