Nicolas Hervé de Beaulieu is the Development Manager padel the 4PADEL Bordeaux. He tells us about his career and his mission within 4PADEL. A mission focused on network development padel 4PADEL belonging to the famous 5-a-side football group: the FIVE.

Tell us about your journey to padel and 4PADEL Bordeaux

3 years ago, I did a 6-month internship at FIVE Bordeaux, I did not know the Padel at that time. Coming from tennis, I quickly became interested in it and like many I quickly became addicted. Then I was hired on a permanent contract. I am in charge of development padel to 4PADEL Bordeaux and my daily mission is to define our offers (events, tournaments, leagues, training) padel and to communicate these to our B to B and B to C clients. Our offers are very varied with the setting up of leisure tournaments and approved tournaments (FFT), organization of seminars, launch of a school of padel, development of padel associative also, to reach a maximum of targets whether they are companies or individuals.

Your goal

Our main objective is to participate in the development of padel at the global level. The Padel is a new market in France which is just beginning to make itself known to the general public. Our objective is therefore to develop this new market which is still in a state of dust compared to the Spanish market which is considered to be the Mecca of this sport. We are therefore oriented towards the democratization of this sport initially in relation with the FFT which has itself launched a development strategy of the sport. padel. This process therefore involves working with local associations, tennis clubs, but also individuals who wish to discover this sport.

The atmosphere within the club

Au padel, we see a certain conviviality, we try to establish a relationship of trust with our customers so that it becomes a habit for them to come and play in our company and of course to retain them. Compared to tennis, the atmosphere of padel is more fun, everyone comes to have fun whether in leisure or in competition, which promotes the creation of community. It's a new sport that people don't necessarily know about. So in this small community, everyone knows each other. The Padel at 4PADEL it's a family, we come to play padel, watch the friends play, have a drink after the game and we always try to keep this warm atmosphere.

Social practice

Many people come to play padel and don't know anyone. After a few days, a group is formed and these people sometimes even meet outside. Some players even do business together thanks to their shared passion. A bit like golf which is also known for its games during which players exchange and talk about work.

Your actions

In September, FIVE wanted to launch its own brand Padel, that's how 4PADEL. We really wanted to create a real universe padel for our customers and enhance them, with more qualitative infrastructure and not just land in a corner of a Foot5 center.

Now at 4PADEL Bordeaux we have 7 fields with latest generation carpet, two of them allow outings, a specific bar padel has been created and a Proshop Babolat just made its appearance.

The organization of tournaments such as the P1000 also allows high level players like the Blanqué / Bergeron pair to come and discover our infrastructures and our desire to boost this practice. For the development at the national level, we have also hired Thomas Dulion in charge of the development of the brand 4PADEL on a national level.

He works in particular with the actors of Padel in France and in Europe, Babolat, the FFT, the different tournament circuits… In addition, Jorge De Benito, former 147th world champion, was called upon. padel to bring us a Spanish vision of the market and the actions to be implemented!

The future of padel

Le Padel will certainly continue to develop in France, there has been a real evolution of this sport in recent years, the media are increasingly interested in it, and we must continue to act as a relay between the French and the Spanish circuit which is an extraordinary showcase for this sport which only asks to be known. The FFT is launching a development plan for this practice and little by little the general public is starting to be familiar with this fun, very televisual practice which only asks to explode into the open.

Tanguy Le Roux

Student in Master 2 entrepreneurship and innovation at IESEG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT in Paris and passionate about sport, I decided to devote my end-of-study thesis to the emergence of padel in France as a sport and social practice and the associated market development. Having lived 22 years in Morocco and for 5 years in France, I am delighted to be able to share my skills.

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