About The Founder of Pink Padel Club
For Janelle Marie Rodriguez, padel has been a game-changer in more ways than one. A journalist, actress, producer, and former ESPN professional, she only picked up the sport earlier this year. Despite never having played racket sports before (“unless Wii Tennis counts,” she jokes), she quickly fell in love with padel. A familiar story to many padel players.
Her first brush with the sport came with a surprising bit of gatekeeping – an acquaintance told her to “take a few clinics, then let her know.” Instead of discouraging her, it planted the idea of creating something different for beginners: a space that felt approachable, beginner-friendly, and above all, fun. That vision would soon grow into Pink Padel Club.
Community Origins
Pink Padel Club was born from a simple mission to empower women of all levels through padel while keeping the vibe welcoming, supportive, and filled with connection both on and off the court.
At the start, Janelle drove the vision herself, with her boyfriend Chris (who, she admits, still beats her at padel every time), and her “family rolling up their sleeves to help at events. It’s truly been a team effort,” she told us.
Together, they created something that now resonates with women across Miami and beyond.
Getting Involved
For anyone wanting to join the Pink Padel Club community, the easiest way is through Instagram at @pinkpadelclub. From there, Janelle personally connects newcomers to the group’s WhatsApp chat or email list.
The group chat is buzzing – “Sometimes it feels like the group chat has more energy than my morning coffee,” she told us.
Community Reflections
What stands out most to Janelle so far isn’t just the games or the events – it’s the people. Watching new friendships begin and seeing women grow in confidence has been the most rewarding part of her journey. A memorable moment for her was when the very first Instagram video about Pink Padel Club hit a million views.
Challenges
Balancing it all hasn’t been easy: with a full-time career in media production and several creative projects, time management remains Janelle’s biggest challenge. But she insists Pink Padel Club doesn’t feel like extra work – it feels like a passion project that fuels her creativity (and, as she jokes, justifies a growing collection of pink outfits). We, at World Padel Network, can relate to it not feeling like extra work.
Looking Ahead
The club’s monthly events in Miami are thriving, but Janelle has her sights set on something bigger. With padel growing rapidly worldwide, she plans of expanding the Pink Padel Club globally too. “Who knows – Pink Padel Club may just pop up in a city near you sooner than you think!”
