Pickleball fever fuels proposal for new license plate design featuring Washington’s state sport

TACOMA, Wash. – Washington currently offers 44 special license plates that recognize the military, colleges, killer whales and more, but now a new design is being introduced in the legislature: a license plate in particular honors the official sport of the rapidly growing state of Washington, football.

Heather Gelston, a local pickleball player, said: “It’s great that it started here in 1965.

Pickleball was created on Bainbridge Island.

Washington Senate Bill 5333 would allow the new design as an option for motorists.

“I would buy it for all my vehicles,” said Brian Gelston, husband of Heather, another rugby player.

Proceeds from the sale will be exclusively used by the Metro Seattle Football Association to build and maintain dedicated football fields.

“We need lousy courts,” Heather said.

Brian echoed that sentiment.

“The number of people who have started playing, the courts can’t keep up,” he said.

According to USA Pickleball, 4.8 million people play the sport in 2021, but by 2022 that number has grown to 36.5 million, according to the Pickleball Professionals Association.

According to Brian, for players in Washington, that could mean long waits for a spot on the field.

So why are we now seeing its popularity skyrocket?

“I think a lot of that has to do with COVID, and there’s nothing to do and do outside,” Heather said.

The pair of rugby players, who have created their own pitches at their home in Tacoma, expect bills to deliver, rallies and scores.

The bill was introduced by Senator John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, after receiving 3,500 signatures to become a bill. A hearing is expected before the legislative session ends at the end of April.