Many clubs padel, players and project leaders ask us a lot of questions about training padel, administrative rules, etc.
Fabien Boudet, the director of the federal life of the FFT returns on all questions asked by Internet users.

Padel Magazine - How to join the FFT for clubs padel ? 

Fabien Boudet - By creating a law association 1901, as for tennis clubs. There is nothing new on it.

On the other hand the great novelty and where our statutes have recently evolved is this authorization to the FFT for private clubs. They need to get closer to their regional league but overall empowerment is a kind of affiliation.

Indeed, a private club such as a municipal club can therefore be linked to the FFT. Private clubs will therefore no longer be obliged to create a sports association to join the FFT thanks to the authorization which includes some restrictions for private clubs but which generally takes up the terms and objectives of membership.

How much does it cost ? 

Very marginal for a club. The cost is very low and should not be a drag on clubs. Development advisors for clubs in the regional leagues are empowered to help clubs understand how they work.

Internet users, entrepreneurs, players and clubs have expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of visibility for the training padel....

This is indeed a point that poses concerns for the moment, because we obviously know that many clubs of padel face a problem of legitimacy in the teaching of padel while they inherently have all the skills and seniority to promote and teach the padel in their club.

The FFT is actively working on this point to try to find a beneficial alternative for all clubs. The problem is, we are not alone. Indeed, everything goes through the Ministry of Sports. It is the ministry which gives the authorizations and its approval for a particular diploma. For the moment, there is only the tennis certificate which allows to legally teach the padel.

This poses 2 problems:

=> First of all, the tennis court is most often not a padel and competent to teach padel.
Suddenly, we will offer training padel optional in the formation of the state tennis certificate. It will look like modules. It's quite simple since the spine already exists.

=> Then, what to do with those who do not have the proof of tennis?
At the moment we have no answers. The FFT is working on this subject. But you should know once again that the FFT is not alone in making the decision. We are considering the creation of a diploma of padel.

Can we not create recognition of diplomas between France and Spain for example? 
It's very complicated. and here too we are not alone in making the decision. I remind you that the Ministry of Sports must give its approval. And it is far from easy even if I understand that diplomas as highly rated as Spanish monitors for example could find its place in France.

But the problem of these recognition of diplomas is not unique to tennis and padel. We could talk about recognition problems that exist for example in the medical environment, etc.

More generally, you need a state diploma. It's French law. If the coaches do not have one, they will be illegal.

I understand that there is impatience. The FFT is a beautiful structure but it is big and so we have to leave time.

I remind you that we are already doing an enormous job with, among other things, this field of padel at Roland Garros and the establishment of the French championships.

You talked about expectations of players and clubs ...

We feel this craze. it's obvious. As soon as the FFT has integrated the padel in its statutes, it felt that there was an important potential in its development. We will try to do our best to meet this expectation. But we must do things seriously and we must understand that we cannot do the work not done by the previous institutions in charge of padel in a few months.

For the final phase of the French championships, do we know more about the location decision? 

For the moment no, there are tracks and no decision has been taken. Clubs must meet very specific specifications.

But the club must offer indoor pitches.

Regarding the license of padel, will it be the same as tennis?

The license therefore housed tennis, padel and beach tennis. With a license we can have 3 different rankings. The license is only granted to one person. It is nominative. But of course, if the license holder practices these 3 sports, he will have a ranking on these 3 sports. It is clearly a huge asset.

Are there any aids or subsidies for padel and especially for entrepreneurs?

The FFT does not help directly. On the other hand, we know that the leagues which receive endowments from the FFT can use this money for the promotion of padel. Some leagues have already said that they will have a development policy for this sport (note: https: //padelmagazine.fr/jean-luc-tenedos-5000e-par-terrain/)

This aid is allocated primarily to municipal clubs?

Rather yes. But it's the leagues that run their own politics. In terms of FFT, there is no specific aid for padel. In any case, it is not on the agenda.

Interviewed by Franck Binisti
Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovers the padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since padel is part of his life. You often see him touring France going to cover the major events of padel French.