RacketPro Organization (RPO) has officially launched the RacketPro APAC Pickleball Tour 2026, one of the most ambitious regional coach education initiatives in Asia-Pacific to date. Spanning Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and several other APAC markets, the tour is designed to raise coaching standards, accelerate competitive development, and build stronger pickleball communities across the region.
Long recognized as the "Gold Standard" in international pickleball coach certification, RPO's system goes well beyond technical training. The organization places equal emphasis on leadership development, tactical understanding, career advancement, and long-term community building. The goal is to produce coaches who can drive sustainable growth within their respective countries.
The Clinicians Behind the Tour
- Collin Johns is a globally recognized professional pickleball player and educator. He recently claimed the Men's Doubles Championship at the PPA Kuala Lumpur Open and has dedicated significant energy toward advancing coach education systems worldwide, combining elite playing experience with structured teaching expertise.
- Connor Nguyen brings a wealth of sports development experience to RPO. He previously pioneered professional basketball in Vietnam by founding the country's first professional basketball team, Saigon Heat, and helping launch the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA). He has since returned to racket sports with a focus on building pickleball ecosystems throughout the APAC region.
- Aron Ong is an RPO COEBRA Coach and Clinician who specializes in competitive player development and high-efficiency coaching methodologies. He is a key figure within RPO's COEBRA high-intensity training system, focusing on real-game application for athletes and coaches across Asia.
Malaysia Kicks Off the Tour
The Malaysia leg served as the opening chapter of the APAC Tour, covering multiple states across the country throughout May 2026. The full schedule included:
- May 14 to 16: RPO Clinic at PPA KL Open, Setia Alam
- May 18: Penang RPO Level 1 Coach Training Workshop
- May 20: Sarawak RPO Level 1 Coach Training Workshop and Community Meet-and-Greet
- May 22: Sabah RPO Level 1 Coach Training Workshop
- May 24: Kuala Lumpur [MEGA] RPO Level 1 Workshop (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
- May 24 (evening): RPO Alumni Gathering, Kuala Lumpur
The MEGA Workshop in Kuala Lumpur served as the signature highlight of the Malaysia leg. Clinicians Collin Johns, Aron Ong, and Connor Nguyen led the sessions, making it the first RPO APAC Mega Workshop of its kind in the country. The accompanying Alumni Gathering was organized to strengthen ties within the existing RPO coaching community, giving coaches across Malaysia a platform to reconnect, collaborate, and collectively lead the sport's growth nationwide.
What the Experts Are Saying
RPO APAC Managing Director Connor Nguyen spoke at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on May 24, describing Malaysia's pickleball scene as one of the most impressive he had encountered on the tour.
According to Nguyen:
"The facilities we saw here were just high-class. And the commitment and dedication that we have seen is simply amazing…. I believe, in this region, Vietnam and Malaysia are very far ahead of the others when it comes to the following and development of the game."
RPO Global Technical Director Collin Johns echoed that sentiment, pointing to the coaching infrastructure being built in both countries as a key driver of future performance.
Johns added:
"The setup is very good, and they are also pushing for many coaches to guide the players. That will definitely elevate their players' performance in tournaments. Pickleball is growing very fast in the world, and I believe countries like Malaysia and Vietnam will play a very big part in the sport."
Both Nguyen and Johns also expressed optimism that pickleball will eventually earn a place in the Olympic programme. Nguyen noted that the sport's top officials are already moving in that direction.
Vietnam and the Philippines Are Next
Following the Malaysia leg, the tour moves to Vietnam in June 2026, with stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Vung Tau, and Da Nang. A standout component of the Vietnam tour is the intensive four-week COEBRA Program scheduled from June 1 to 26 in Ho Chi Minh City. This leg brings together coaches from multiple countries for high-level training. The MEGA RPO Level 1 Workshop in HCMC follows on June 27, with the RPO Clinic at PPA HCMC Open running August 6 to 9.
The Philippines leg is scheduled for late July through early August, with workshops confirmed in Manila (July 29), Cebu (July 31), and Davao (August 2). All sessions run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with Manila hosting the MEGA RPO Level 1 Workshop.
The COEBRA program, which sits at the heart of RPO's tour curriculum, emphasizes what the organization calls the "Alpha Agile" mindset. This framework helps coaches strengthen their leadership capabilities, encourages decisive action, and develops impactful leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to the growth of pickleball in their home countries.
A Growing Regional Footprint
Beyond the three primary tour countries, RPO has additional stops planned across the region in the months ahead. Japan (Tokyo and Osaka), Singapore, China (Shenzhen), and other APAC markets are all on the calendar for mid to late 2026.
RPO has been clear that the RacketPro APAC Pickleball Tour 2026 is not simply a series of workshops. For the organization, it represents a long-term commitment to building coaching infrastructure that can sustain the sport's growth for years to come, with Malaysia positioned as a particularly influential hub in shaping pickleball's future across Asia.
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