COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
PADEL SMASH GIRLS
- United Kingdom
- Jamie Rowe
How The Padel Journey Began
Padel kind of found us! Jo was introduced to it through friends and loved the fun, fast pace. At the same time, Gail picked it up while on holiday and as a former tennis enthusiast with slightly dodgy knees, she realised immediately this was our sport. In fact we both quickly realised it was more than just a sport — it was a way of bringing people together and so began the first of many WhatsApp groups!
The Sky Sports News padel enthusiasts rapidly grew and so did that sense of community and number of WhatsApp groups. Anyone who has played the game knows that once a week is never enough. You will be broke, bruised and stiff but happy. Both of us are busy working mums with 5 year old daughters – but that moment you pick up a racket and get on court all that noise stops – you have to be present or the points and the game pass you by. Win or lose and there have been some big defeats we leave the court smiling. We were suddenly immersed in this growing world of padel.
What Makes Padel Stand Out
We’ve both loved and worked in a variety of sports for years, but padel really did feel different – more about connection and also reconnection (what an absolute joy to be in the company of old friends and colleagues on court and, of course, in the pub afterwards). We have found a whole new tribe, a community which reflects so many of the values we believe in.
Holidays have looked a bit different recently, so did the packing and the suitcase (not a party dress or sequin in sight!). Earlier this year we went to Marbella and played at NAC – what a sensational place – it’s something we couldn’t have imagined doing a few months earlier. What an incredible experience it was with some amazing people all on this padel journey.
It was there we decided to have a little bit of fun and get our padel story out there through the Padel Smash Girls. It’s a way of making the game a bit more accessible, using our platform to show the joy, the vibes the empowerment the outfits that comes with playing. You don’t have to be good, just show up. We have had a really positive reaction to a lot of the content and stories we are telling.
The Padel Smash Girls Community
It’s a relatively small community, but one that is always willing to help to grow this amazing sport. A shout out to The London Padel Coach, Matt, who took us under his wing and has somehow moulded us into padel players. We are also thankful for the many partners and opponents along the way over the last year who have been very patient with us and helped us understand and appreciate how much more work there is to do.
We have been lucky enough over the past year to have played with and against top GB players (what an honour to be on court with Nikhil Mohindra and Frankie Langan in their recent padel marathon fundraiser) a Premier League Manager in Fabian Hurzeler – watch out there might be more, former sporting stars in Courtney Lawes and Chelsea legends Roberto Di Matteo and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who is surely the most competitive of all, as well as celebrities. We have learnt so much and loved every minute, all because we picked up a racket for the first time.
Reflections, and The Importance of Championing Women In Sport
We have been playing for a year and, when we reflect, it is pretty wild how much we have done. There is so much to look forward to, and both of us are really proud to be founding members of Femme Open UK. The Femme Open was the first tournament we ever played in, and we are now founding ambassadors as it launches in the UK. Gail was one of the first female reporters at Sky, so we understand how important visibility is. We both know firsthand how important it is to create spaces where women feel confident, supported, and empowered.
Padel is more than a sport – it’s a way to lift each other up, break barriers, and show that women can lead, compete, and connect with passion and resilience. We’re proud to be part of a movement that celebrates these values and helps grow a strong, inclusive community both on and off the court.
Gail & Jo (aka Padel Smash Girls)
