The  European Association of Clubs Padel (AECP)  and  Padel Sport Academy  have formalized a  protocol of friendship and mutual assistance marking a new stage in the collaboration between the two organizations.

The reason for this rapprochement:  Pascal Hernandez , secretary general of theAECP, and  Leonardo Gatto , a recognized figure in padel training, partners on the courts in  Andalusia Their shared goal is clear: to strengthen ties between clubs, develop training and support the structuring of padel at the international level.

In this interview,  Leonardo Gatto  looks back on his journey, the creation of the  Padel Sport Academy  and the prospects for cooperation with theAECP.

 Pascal Hernandez Who are you, Leonardo? 

 Leonardo Gatto : 
I work in the sports education  that goes back more than  25 years . This makes  42 years  that I touched a  tennis racket  for the first time, at the age of  8 years After several years of lessons and competitions, like many of my fellow Argentinians, I decided to try the  paddle … and it was a real  love at first sight .

Just a few weeks after my  13 years I started my career in this sport which I am so passionate about and which, since then, has never ceased to bring me enormous joy.

 Pascal Hernandez : You are pursuing your higher education while playing in major competitions. 

 Leonardo Gatto : 
This is  Argentina  that I began my training in  padel teacher  with Argentina Association of Padel At that time, I was already giving my first lessons while continuing my  University studies This dual activity allowed me to understand very early on the importance of the  transmission and pedagogy  in this sport.

AECP et Padel Sport Academy sign a protocol of friendship and mutual assistance Leonardo Gatto

 Pascal Hernandez : In 2003, you took the plunge. 

 Leonardo Gatto : 
After obtaining a  degree in marketing  and having worked for several years while remaining connected to the world of sport, I decided in  2003  to launch my professional career as  padel coach in Spain .

 Pascal Hernandez You then truly begin your career as a padel teacher and coach. 

 Leonardo Gatto : 
Over the years, several clubs have marked my career, but without a doubt the  Malaga Tennis Club , located at  Pinares de San Antón , holds a special place in my heart.

I had countless experiences there, both  professional and personal and it is also in this environment that  My children grew up over almost ten years .

Still attached to the  continuing education I have completed numerous training courses with the  Spanish Federation of Padel  and  Andalusian Federation of Padel .

 Pascal Hernandez You then embark on the project of your life: teaching, training and passing on knowledge. 

 Leonardo Gatto : 
After this journey, I decided to give shape to a project that reflected my way of conceiving... padel teaching This is how the  Padel Sport Academy .

Initially, the academy focused exclusively on teaching within a single club. Today, it has a presence on  five different sites  :  three in Malaga ,  one in Rome  et  one in Northern Ireland .

We advise you how to use  instructor training courses  en  Spanish, English and Italian , with over  ten sessions planned for 2026 We also organize  sport events , including  padel tournaments , with over  22 competitions organized each year .

 Pascal Hernandez You also have an important role with the Andalusian Federation of Padel. 

 Leonardo Gatto : 
From  three years Our academy is responsible for... organization of a provincial circuit  for  Andalusian Federation of Padel In this circuit, players of all ages compete to secure their place in the  Final Master .

This initiative is in the same spirit as the  International Club Cup Padel , with a desire to bring the players together around a structured sporting project.

Furthermore, we have supported numerous organizations through  more than 100 interventions , between  internships, conferences and training courses , intended for clubs, sports associations and coaches in  Europe, Asia and South America .

Today,  Padel Sport Academy  has moved from individual padel instruction to a  comprehensive management academy , present in several clubs around the world and ready to support any structure wishing to become a  reference in this sport .

 Pascal Hernandez Your closer ties with the European Association of Clubs Padel It happened naturally. 

 Leonardo Gatto : 
En  2026 we signed a  collaboration agreement  with the European Association of Clubs Padel .  Claude Baigts  et  Pascal Hernandez  have called upon our academy to further structure the organization and management of the 10th International Club Cup Padel , which will take place from  October 8-11 in Malaga .

We fully intend to defend our colors in this competition with a  Spanish-Argentine selection .

 Pascal Hernandez Thank you Leonardo for all the actions taken since our collaboration and for all the projects we have in common. 

This collaboration between the AECP  and  Padel Sport Academy  illustrates the shared desire of  structuring the training ,  support the clubs  et  to promote the development of padel internationally with a clear objective: to strengthen the links between sports stakeholders and prepare the next generations of players and coaches.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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