A Question of Padel

Episode 7: How do we grow UK padel together? With George Modler (The Padel Directory)

The question: How do we grow UK padel together?  Hosted by Emily Kilner, a presenter, host and commentator, we sit down with George Modler of The Padel Directory, a website designed to do exactly that: connect the UK industry.  With the first UK Padel Convention coming up next week, it's especially fitting discussing the current state of this industry often described as the 'wild west'. Rapid growth comes with it's challenges, and George is in an excellent central position to see how important it is to connect the dots, celebrate all levels of growth, and bring people into the same room to appreciate healthy competition.  If you're going to be at the convention, see you there! If not, let us know what you think of the episode, and what you would look to do to connect this rapidly growing industry across the UK.  A Question of Padel: Answering Padel's Biggest Questions, One Episode At A Time.

Episode 6: How do we connect amateur and professional padel? With Astrid Thams (Hexagon Cup)

The question: How do we connect amateur and professional padel? Hosted by Emily Kilner, a presenter, host and commentator, we speak with the Hexagon Cup Managing Director Astrid Thams. We dig into Hexagon's aims and ambitions to not only be a hugely successful celebrity team event, but build and grow amateur padel alongside it to close the gap between amateur and professional levels. We discuss how we create more true fans of the game, how important getting excellent content and broadcasting is for the sport's growth, and where Hexagon's ambitions lie in the next few years. Astrid shares a vision that anyone involved in padel will admire.

Episode 5: Can padel truly go global? with Ben Nichols

In our second episode with Ben Nicols (of Padel22), we explore the question of whether padel can truly go global.  Hosted by Emily Kilner, a presenter, host and commentator, we dig into the definition of New World Padel and what these markets have in common. Ben shares his insight into what makes healthy competition in emerging markets, how we leverage it, what it will take for padel to become an Olympic sport, and his opinion on what the next country is to have a player make it into the FIP Top 50 rankings.

Episode 4: What does padel's current image mean for the sport's future? With Ben Nichols (part 1)

The question: What does padel's current image mean for the sport's future? Hosted by Emily Kilner, a presenter, host and commentator, we chat to Ben Nichols. The founder of Padel22, coined as the 'world's leading PR & Comms consultancy for the New Padel World', alongside roles in Proprty+Padel, Cage91 Co, Club Aguilas, The Anglo American Cup, Insider22... Ben knows what's what in the emerging padel scene, and has witnessed the growth, challenges and worked with the leaders at the forefront directly. We chat in detail about the image of Padel in emerging markets, particularly in the UK, including the celebrity aspect, accessibility and pricing, market maturity and the roles of federations in positioning padel alongside tennis. We particularly hone in on the image of padel in the media, and how to tap into sources and celebrity elements to drive awareness and benefit the sport, rather than hinder it's attraction.  A must listen for invaluable insights into the state of padel in the New World, and how to tap into the opportunities presented by it's current image, to ensure growth continues in the future.

Episode 3: How do you build a community at a padel club? With Sam McKibbin

The question: How do you build a community at a padel club?  Hosted by Emily Kilner, a padel presenter, host and commentator, we chat to Sam McKibbin, an Irish national team padel player and club manager, boasting a huge amount of experience and success stories across multiple countries in his padel career. We dive into the basics behind creating a community at a club, starting from the moment a player walks through the door to the most important physical aspects of clubs to foster the right environment, and the kind of team needed to bring that feeling to life. Do you want to understand how to make members feel valued, get further into the details of what we can learn from Spain & Sweden, and how to find your identity as a club to create an environment players want to come back to time and time again? If yes, then Sam's candid, honest storytelling is a must listen.