In February 2024, the Spanish Federation of Padel (EFF) and National Association of Technicians Padel (ANTEP) have published a joint statement to warn clubs, players and institutions: unofficial diplomas, issued by private structures or by foreign organizations, are increasingly circulating on the padel market.

According to the two organizations, these certifications " have no official validity " and " endanger the safety of the players ", due to non-compliant educational content and a lack of control over the actual skills of the trainers.

The FEP points out that only regulated qualifications are recognized in Spain:
– official diplomas issued by the FEP itself,
– diplomas issued by the autonomous federations (Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, etc.) which apply the training plan approved by Spanish legislation,
– training courses that comply with Royal Decree 1363 / 2007, which oversees sports education at the national level.

The proliferation of unrecognized offers can be explained by several converging factors.

1. Spain is the world's main center for padel

Thousands of foreign players — amateurs, professionals, sports tourists — come to train there every year.
Many private structures, set up to meet this demand, offer rapid training courses, sometimes presented as “international”, creating confusion for candidates for the coaching profession.

2. The market lacks qualified teachers

The number of clubs and tracks has increased significantly in Spain over the last decade.
Demand for lessons far exceeds the supply of qualified coaches, opening the door to unqualified individuals willing to present themselves as instructors.

3. Some private training programs imitate official vocabulary

The FEP and ANTEP report that some facilities use:
– titles similar to federal diplomas,
– logos reminiscent of those of public bodies,
– or titles in English giving the impression of international recognition.
These practices create real confusion "for clubs and students."

In light of this situation, the FEP and ANTEP recommend that anyone wishing to undertake training or hire a coach check systematically :
– that the diploma comes from the FEP or an independent federation,
– that the trainer is listed in the official registers,
– that the program complies with the strict training plan defined by Spanish law.

Both institutions state that they are working with the relevant authorities to report and discourage the dissemination of unrecognized certifications, and to preserve a safe professional environment in a rapidly expanding sector.

Finally, ANTEP reiterates that it promotes the " professional and continuing education "in Spain, in coordination with the FEP and regional federations, to ensure that coaches have genuinely validated skills.

Antoine Tricolet

I discovered the Padel I stumbled into Spain at a campsite. I was instantly hooked; passionate about padel for the past three years, I follow international and regional news with the same excitement as the sport itself.

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