From Policy to Pickleball: The Reality of UK Sport | Ball Slapping Podcast with Alex Cole

Thought Padel Was a Joke… Then Became Top 10 in the UK | Ball Slapping Podcast with Jared Robinson

Padel is exploding across the UK and Europe… but why is everyone suddenly obsessed? In this episode of Ball Slapping, we’re joined by Jared Robinson, former UK Top 10 padel player, coach, and founder of AllCourtPadel. From dismissing padel as a “tennis-lite joke” to becoming one of the best players in the country, Jared breaks down what makes the sport so addictive.Don't forget to watch the sister video: https://youtu.be/L9bU05HQcT4?si=HUc2OZro_UdZRlAI We get into: * Why padel is growing faster than almost any sport in the world * The key differences between padel, tennis, and squash * How to actually improve your game (and stop smashing it into the back wall…) * The tactics that separate beginners from top players * Why Spain is miles ahead of everyone else * Whether padel is a fad… or here to stay Plus: Jared’s journey from Sweden to the UK, his playing style (ridiculous slice + angles), and what’s next for padel in Britain. 🎾 Follow Jared: @allcourtpadel🌍 Padel holidays & coaching (coming soon…) If you’ve ever picked up a padel racket, this one will hit home.

From Policy to Pickleball: The Reality of UK Sport | Ball Slapping Podcast with Alex Cole

What does it actually take to grow sport in the UK?In this episode, I sit down with Alex Cole, who went from dreaming of leading Sport England at 15 to working inside the system itself. We get into grassroots sport, funding, bureaucracy, participation, and why some of the best ideas struggle to get off the ground.We also cover:How Sport England really works behind the scenesWhy grassroots sport is harder than it looksThe rise of new sports like pickleballWhy modern lifestyles are changing how people engage with sportThe balance between structure and freedom in coachingAnd of course…The story of a 30-yard goal at Fratton Park that may never stop being mentioned.This is a brilliant insight into the system, but also a reminder that sport at its best is simple: people, movement, and moments that stick.

From the White House Lawn to the Beach: Inside Hoover Ball with Quentin Hick | Ball Slapping Podcast

What do you get when you mix a U.S. President, a bad back, and a medicine ball?Hoover Ball.In this episode I sit down with Quentin Hick, President of Hoov Nation, to unpack one of the most underrated and surprisingly intense sports on the planet.Originally created for President Herbert Hoover to keep him fit on the White House lawn, Hoover Ball has evolved into a full-blown beach court spectacle built around throwing heavy medicine balls over a net.We talk:• The history of Hoover Ball• Why it was invented• How it’s played today• The physical demands• The community behind Hoov Nation• And why it feels more like a movement than just a sportIt’s explosive. It’s social. It’s deceptively brutal.And honestly? It looks like a ridiculous amount of fun.If you love niche sports, community driven movements, or presidential oddities, this one’s for you.Subscribe for more deep dives into the world’s most fascinating sports.

From Garden Idea to Global Sport: The Touch Tennis Story with Rashid Ahmad | Ball Slapping Podcast

In this episode of Ball Slapping, we sit down with Rashid Ahmad, founder of Touchtennis, to unpack how a simple idea in his garden turned into a fast-growing global sport.We talk about where Touchtennis came from, why it resonates with players of all ages, and what happens when you strip a sport back to its essentials. Rashid shares the design philosophy behind smaller courts, lighter rackets, and faster rallies, and why accessibility, fun, and skill development matter more than tradition. If you’ve watched our WTF is Touchtennis video, this episode goes deeper: the inspiration, the resistance, the moments it nearly didn’t work, and why Touchtennis might be a blueprint for how new sports should be built.

The Best of Rugby Fives - Live from the National Finals | Ball Slapping Podcast

In this episode of Ball Slapping, Dan heads to the Rugby Fives National Singles Finals to interview the best players in the country and to work out what makes them tick. We talk with current and previous National Champions to get a real insight into the sport, its values and just how hard this sport is. Rugby Fives is a traditional British version of handball played on stone squash-like court with a hard ball. Check out the Rugby Fives YouTube Channel or TheRFA.uk to find out more. #newsport #rugby #handball