COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
MEN OF THE MILE
- United Kingdom
- Jamie Rowe
About the Founder & Community Origins
Lee first picked up a padel racket in October 2024. Every Wednesday, he’d pass by the local padel courts during the group’s “Walk & Talk” sessions and tell himself he’d try it one day. Eventually, he did – and was instantly hooked.
Men of the Mile began from a deeply personal place. After losing a close childhood friend to suicide, Lee started walking – not with the intention of building a community at first, but simply to show up for himself and to be there for others who might be struggling too. One walk led to another walk, and before long, more people began to join and it became a regular thing.
What started as a small act of connection has now grown into something much bigger – expanding beyond walking to include padel, football, cricket, and even stand-up paddleboarding (yes that’s not just a misspelling of padel!). Yet at its core, the mission remains the same: movement, connection, and reminding men they’re not alone.
Getting Involved
Men of the Mile welcomes everyone. The group runs weekly padel sessions, monthly tournaments, and other social events in Dubai – all focused on community over competition. There’s no pressure, no judgement – just a safe, welcoming space for men to get active, connect, and have honest conversations.
Community Reflections
For Lee, the most rewarding part has been watching men who showed up alone leave with new friendships, confidence, and a genuine sense of belonging.
The biggest challenge has been balancing it all – from running events to being a dad and keeping the momentum going – while ensuring the community stays true to its purpose.
Looking Ahead
The vision for the future is to continue building around padel – hosting community networking events, family days, and experiences that bring people together both on and off the court. Sustainability is also front of mind: The group already re-purposes used padel balls by donating them to local dog shelters, and plans are in motion to further reduce waste across events.
The walk will always remain the heartbeat of Men of the Mile. Looking ahead, Lee is planning a major walking event with personal significance. A group from the community is set to take on a Spartan Race next weekend in honour of one member’s late father – a powerful reminder of why this movement matters so much.
