Interview with a group of friends from Auvergne who decided to join forces with the public sector to promote the development of padel!

An original concept

“In 2020, the four of us discovered padel, a sport that is booming in Clermont-Ferrand. We were enthusiastic about its potential and had the idea of ​​proposing to a small, well-located rural community to rehabilitate a tennis court that had been abandoned for over 20 years. The elected officials were immediately won over by our proposal. We then worked on an innovative concept of a fully autonomous court: online booking gives access to the court, allows you to borrow equipment free of charge on site and even turn on the lights to play in the evening.”

“The project took shape thanks to the signing of an agreement with the town hall. This required a lot of work on our part, such as cleaning, earthmoving, stabilizing and repairing the existing porous concrete slab, as well as landscaping, etc.”

padel access

The expansion continues!

“Our first track was inaugurated in September 2021 in Malauzat (63). After a successful first season in 2022, we immediately worked on a second project in a larger municipality, but with the same enthusiasm. We have refined our model and opened a second track in Lempdes (63), which was inaugurated on May 5th.

padel access

“The Access Community Padel continues to grow, with nearly 400 members registered on our booking platform to date. In season, we also offer group lessons once a week, led by star commentator Mario Cordero (laughs).”

“We already have projects in mind for 2024 and want to open one or two new pistes in Puy-de-Dôme next year. Our concept is starting to make itself known, and several municipalities have already contacted us this year to set up on their territory.”

“We are also considering franchising our concept in order to increase the number of courts. Despite our current projects in other municipalities, we are aware that to have a real impact on the development of padel in Auvergne and France, we must not just invest in our own courts, we must also support those who wish to do the same.”

padel access

“We are therefore working on a franchise project that will support players who want to invest in padel. Many of them are discussing it on the sides of the tracks, negotiating with municipalities, creating their own autonomous field and operating it in a sustainable and profitable way.”

“We hope this will lead to the rescue of many abandoned courts and the construction of many new padel courts! It is our goal to contribute to the development of this sport and create opportunities for padel enthusiasts.”

To contact them: accesspadel@gmail.com and 07.49.54.97.87th

Mario Cordero

Mario Cordero is a fine technician of the team. He observes, he analyzes, he returns to themes to bring his expertise. Complete, the man is as in the field!

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