Special Edition: Nominations and Voting in The British Padel Awards 2026

This episode of JOY OF PADEL celebrates the launch of the British Padel Awards 2026, as host Minter energizes listeners with exciting news for the UK padel community. Minter kicks off this fourth season by announcing that the BPA has 21 categories honoring the players, clubs, coaches, innovators, and legends who are shaping British padel as the fastest growing sport in the world. Run by Anthony Daulphin and featuring a world-class MC duo, the awards are positioned as a true highlight for everyone passionate about the game.

Minter also shares his personal involvement with four categories, including as Padel Ambassador, Padel Influencer of the Year, Innovation and Technology with Pango Sports, and, notably, a nomination for JOY OF PADEL as Podcast of the Year.

However, the focus remains firmly on community and celebration. Minter calls on listeners to visit britishpaddleawards.co.uk/vote, support their favorites, and spread the word, emphasizing that every vote helps fuel the growth and visibility of padel across Britain.

Key points:

The British Padel Awards 2026 spotlight 21 categories, celebrating those driving the sport's growth and vibrancy in the UK.

Minter urges the community to vote, share, and participate, highlighting padel’s inclusivity and the importance of collective enthusiasm in building the sport’s future.

JOY OF PADEL is proudly nominated for Padel Podcast of the Year, recognizing its contribution to connecting and inspiring padel fans.

Join the JOY OF PADEL every other week as Minter and the broader padel community continue to share stories, foster connection, and showcase the supreme delight of this wonderful game across Britain and beyond.

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This episode of JOY OF PADEL features Camille Huyghues Despointes, French entrepreneur and co-founder (with me) of Pango, to discuss her journey from theater studies and multiple startups to launching an innovative padel app. Camille shares how her experience in show jumping shaped her understanding of partnership and energy, and why she fell in love with padel's accessibility and social nature. The discussion explores Pango’s mission to redefine player ratings and foster a global padel community.

Key points:

Pango addresses real padel player problems, offering a unique, community-driven rating system.

Padel’s joyful, strategic gameplay makes it addictive and ideal for social and personal growth.

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Emily Kilner, BBC New Voice Award winner and Premier Padel commentator, shares her journey from England Under-21 hockey international to becoming one of padel's most distinctive voices. Broadcasting and interviewing in both English and Spanish, Emily discusses the art of commentary, the strategic nuances that separate professional padel from amateur play, and why longer rallies in women's padel offer invaluable lessons for recreational players. Key points include the importance of understanding padel as a strategic, team-oriented sport rather than a power game, and how building context around player relationships creates compelling narratives that distinguish padel from other sports.

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Bill Ullman, co-Founder of the Anglo-American Cup and President of the United States Padel Association (USPA), shares his journey from squash to padel and his vision for the sport's growth in the US. He discusses the challenges of adapting to padel from other racket sports, the development of a padel culture, and the importance of sustainable growth. Bill offers insights into the USPA's role in expanding padel across the country, the potential impact of celebrity involvement, and the creation of the Anglo-American Cup.

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This 19th episode of season 3 of the Joy of Padel podcast episode features Andi Neugarten, founder of Six Love Sports, the largest women's padel community in the USA. Andi discusses her journey into padel, the sport's growth in America, and her mission to empower women through padel. She shares insights on the social aspects of padel, the differences between US and European padel cultures, and her business model for building a thriving women's padel community. The conversation also touches on the importance of communication in padel and Andi's plans for international expansion.

Key points:

1. Padel's unique ability to foster communication and trust between players, especially among women.

2. The growth of padel in the US and the development of a distinct American padel culture.

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Aimee Gibson, GB's number one padel player and world-ranked 85, shares her journey from tennis to padel in this Joy of Padel podcast. She discusses her transition, training methods, and the mental aspects of the game. Aimee offers insights into professional padel, including partner selection, tournament strategies, and the challenges of competing at the top level. She emphasizes the importance of mental strength in padel and shares her admiration for top pairs like Ari Sanchez and Paula Josemaria as well as the new reining number ones of Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea. Aimee also reveals her favorite shot, the chiquita, and her current focus on improving her smash. The conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of professional padel and Aimee's aspirations for the future.

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THIS INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN SPANISH 🇪🇸. IT'S AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE WITH SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH 🇬🇧!!

Juanjo Gutiérrez, former professional padel player and current coach of the Spanish national team, shares insights into his career and the evolution of padel. He discusses the transition from tennis to padel, his experiences as a player and coach, and the dynamics of selecting and managing a national team. Juanjo offers a unique perspective on the emotional and tactical aspects of coaching, particularly during high-stakes moments like the 2024 World Championships in Doha. He also explores the future of padel, emphasizing the sport's increasing physicality and the importance of data analytics in understanding player performance. Throughout the conversation, Juanjo's passion for padel and his deep understanding of the sport's nuances shine through.

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Mark Hewlett, founder of Soul Padel, reveals how a traumatic experience led him to discover the transformative power of padel. His journey from rugby player to padel pioneer is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode #16, Mark shares the genesis of Soul Padel and its mission to make padel accessible to all. We explore how this fast-growing sport is building communities and bridging social divides across the UK.

Here are 3 key takeaways from our chat with Mark:

- Community-Centric Approach: Soul Padel's focus on creating welcoming spaces where everyone can meet, play, and connect is revolutionizing the UK padel scene.

- Innovative Growth Strategy: By partnering with Decathlon and universities, Soul Padel is introducing padel to new audiences and fostering the next generation of players.

- Preserving the Soul: As they expand to 40-50 locations, Soul Padel's commitment to maintaining their core values through people and digital engagement is admirable.

Mark's insights into the future of padel in the UK and globally are invaluable for anyone interested in the sport's development. His vision of padel as a unifying force in communities is both refreshing and inspiring.

Listen to the full episode for more on Soul Padel's journey, their unique approach to coaching, and Mark's perspective on what makes padel so special.

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This podcast features Gonzalo Lorenzo, a padel coach and YouTube sensation, discussing his journey in the sport and coaching philosophy. Gonzalo shares insights on player improvement, communication strategies, and the culture of padel. He emphasizes the importance of playing percentage shots and reducing unforced errors. The conversation also explores the growing popularity of padel worldwide and the potential impact of AI on the sport's analytics. Gonzalo's YouTube channel, Padel Drive, has gained significant traction, attracting viewers from unexpected places like Indonesia.

Key points:

1. Gonzalo stresses the importance of playing safe, challenging shots with at least 80% accuracy.

2. The Joy of Padel is described as organizing games with friends, being competitive, and socializing afterward.

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Juan Martín Díaz, padel legend, shares his journey from his beginnings in tennis to becoming a padel professional. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the game and the evolution toward a more physical sport. Díaz describes himself as an offensive player with exceptional reflexes, emphasizing the importance of compatibility with his playing partner.

He analyzes the differences between the Argentine and Spanish schools of padel and comments on the recent World Championship in Doha. He offers his perspective on the current professional circuit, suggesting improvements in organization and player participation in decision-making.

Díaz reflects on changes to the rules and playing surface, expressing his preference for maintaining the essence of the sport. He shares personal anecdotes, including the birth of his son during a tournament, and emphasizes the importance of humility in padel. Finally, he offers his optimistic outlook on the future of the sport and its possible inclusion in the Olympic Games.

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