COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: ANASTASIA
- United Kingdom
- Jamie Rowe
How It All Started
It all began on holiday in Spain, where friends invited Anastasia to join a casual padel match – and she was instantly hooked, like so many of us. The blend of strategy, social energy, and fast-paced rallies made it impossible to resist for her.
Coming from an active childhood into a less active adulthood with a busy office job, Anastasia admits her fitness had taken a backseat. But once padel entered the picture, it changed things:
“It didn’t even feel like exercise,” she says. “I rediscovered the joy of being active – and along the way, I lost 10kg and found genuine happiness in the game. Honestly, what other sport lets you lose and still come off court smiling?”
That newfound passion inspired a career shift. Leaving her job in property, Anastasia pursued a master’s in Sports Management with a focus on padel. Since then, she’s organised social events, launched The Old Stoic Padel Club for alumni of her former school, and helped countless friends discover the sport through introductory sessions.
Mission & Community
Anastasia’s mission is clear: to make padel as inclusive and accessible as possible.
“I want people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities to feel confident trying padel – it’s the most welcoming sport I’ve ever played.”
Back in the UK, The Padel Yard became her home club to begin with – where she took lessons, played her first Americano, and built friendships that lasted well beyond the court. These days, she can often be found at The Padel Box, enjoying its vibrant social scene, but also makes regular appearances at Rocks Lane, NTC, and The Padel Yard.
Her passion for community also shows through her work with Padel and Travel, where she helps organise international padel holidays – taking on locals in friendly tournaments around the world. One of her most rewarding experiences, however, came through The Padel Foundation, introducing children to the sport for the first time.
“Seeing their faces light up when they hit their first shot reminded me exactly why I love this game.”
Anastasia also credits initiatives like Toby and Virtus’ women’s-only coaching course, which she completed at a subsidised rate, for helping her grow as a coach and encouraging more women to build careers in sport.
Collaborations & Projects
Today, Anastasia works closely with The Padel Box, running their monthly tournaments and social events. She also collaborates with All Out Padel, Padel & Travel, and The Anti Swipe, helping to host and organise community-led experiences.
Her next chapter includes launching her own event brand (name to be revealed soon) – a platform designed to bring people together through tournaments, lessons, and fun gameplay sessions.
You can also find her sharing her padel journey online, connecting players, and promoting upcoming events across social media. If you’re new to the sport or want to chat padel, she encourages people to DM her.
Reflections & Challenges
Anastasia’s favourite part of the journey is watching others fall in love with the game just like she did.
“Seeing people who never thought of themselves as sporty grow in confidence, make friends, and improve week after week – that’s what it’s all about.”
But she’s also aware of the challenges that come with rapid growth. As the sport expands, maintaining that grassroots, inclusive spirit remains her top priority, especially when it comes to increasing female representation on and off the court.
Looking Ahead
With momentum around padel at an all-time high, Anastasia is excited to keep growing the community, hosting more events, connecting players across London, and inspiring newcomers to pick up a racket for the first time.
“I’d love to see padel become a staple in local communities, not just as a sport, but as a way for people to connect, stay active, and have fun.”
