My love of padel started in Spain in September 2017. I have had a property near Valencia, right on the coast, in small marina town for fifteen years now. Its quite relaxing and such a beautiful place to switch off. I started to have some tennis lessons in Spain, mainly to keep myself fit and motivated, as I've always lead a fit and active life.
I played a lot different sports to a high standard whilst in HM Forces. Rugby and boxing to name a few. I continued to remain active after leaving and I continued with the boxing at ABA level and rugby well into veterans category.
The tennis coach in Spain is a very talented French ex professional, Dylan Mary. He now has his own successful academy, very close to my house in Spain, where he continues to train and accompany young talented future tennis stars to Roland Garros and Wimbledon. At this academy are two padel courts and I had my first game of padel there one evening in late September 2017. My friend of over thirty years Phil Cooper, who also served in HM Forces, Dylan and his younger brother played that night.
The cause and effect of this first game of padel, inspired me to research and locate clubs and courts in the UK that were geographically feasible to visit. I started to play at Prested Hall, near Colchester in Essex initially. I still play there when it's possible, but I mainly play at Stratford Padel Club in London and David Lloyd Chigwell in Essex.
It's my first year on the LTA British Padel Tour and I've always made big effort to try and play at as many club around the UK as possible. Promoting the sport, meeting some fantastic people and making new friends along the way.
When I first started playing, most of the balls I hit went into orbit. I'm 6ft 5ins with a rugby build. Now I've improved, a lot, I train whenever possible, work permitting and I want to continue playing and getting better, but above all I am being realistic with my expectations.
Victor Perez Rodriguez, has been coaching me for the last few months. He's fantastic, has helped me lot and I will carry on training with him.
Jorge Rodriguez Martinez coached me first and he is based in Mar de Cristal, La Manga. He worked wonders with me when I first started and I have a lot of respect for this guy. Great coach and friend. I'll always visit him for some training and a catch up.
On a recent trip to Barcelona Spain, Sam Jones (GBTeam), introduced me, to one his coaches, Paula Eyheraguibel. She's a former World Padel Tour No 1, for seven years. Amazing level of coaching and a lovely person too. I'll definitely be going back in the future.
Padel is a fantastic sport, I absolutely love it. The only sport I've played, where I came off court after the match even when I've lost, with a huge smile on my face. Long may it continue, let's get it in the Olympics and keep promoting it.
Stratford Padel Club
London
Prested Hall, David Lloyd Chigwell
38
3150
11
5.0
15
7450
LTA British Padel Bronze Stratford 16 February B Category Semi Final
LTA British Padel Silver Prested Hall 2 March A Grade/Open Category Quarterfinals
LTA British Padel Silver Prested Hall 3 March Vets Category Quarterfinals
LTA British Padel Bronze La Manga Spain 9 March A Grade/Open Category Semi Finals
LTA British Padel Bronze La Manga Spain 10 March Vets Category Semi Finals
LTA British Padel Bronze Stratford 30 March A Grade/Open Category Quarterfinals
LTA British Padel Bronze Stratford 31 March Vets Category Quarterfinals
LTA British Padel Bronze Maldon 6 April A Grade/Open Category Quarterfinals/Plate Final
LTA British Padel Bronze Maldon 7 April Vets Category Quarterfinals/Plate Final
LTA British Padel Silver Bishops Park 20 April A Grade/Open Category Semi Finals
LTA British Padel Gold Middlesbrough 28 April Vets Category Semi Finals
LTA British Padel Maldon 18 May A Grade/Open Category Quarterfinals/Plate Final
LTA British Padel Maldon 19 May Vets Category Semi Finals
*Maddison International Tournament Stratford 25 May B Grade Category Final
LTA British Padel Gold Stratford 9June Vets Category Quarterfinals/Plate Final
LTA Redwood National Padel Championships 2019 Bushy 12-14 July Vets Category Quarterfinals
LTA British Padel Bronze Huddersfield 27 July Vets Category Semi Finals-Finished 3rd
LTA British Padel Silver Stratford 3 August A Grade/Open Category Last 16
LTA British Padel Silver Stratford 4 August Vets Category Semi Finals-Finished 4th
LTA British Padel Silver Maldon 17 August A Grade/Open Category Quarterfinals
LTA British Padel Silver Maldon 18 August Vets Category Quarterfinals
Mouse over the images for more.
Middlesbrough Padel Club's Nigel Garton & Phil Caswell with Geoff Wingfield of Stratford Padel Club
