The Netherlands, a country in the making in terms of padel. During the European Championships in Rome, we were able to meet a young, dynamic and smiling team. But behind it all is one person: Norberto Nessi.

Padel Magazine : "Norberto Nesi hello."

Norberto Nesi: "Hello and thank you for receiving me."

PM: “What is your role within the padel Dutch? ”

NN: “I am the president, the founder of the Dutch Federation of padel and today coach of the team present at the European Championships. ”

PM: "We know that your country has introduced another team in Lisbon. The team present in Rome is the 2 team? "

NN: “The team that we have presented here in Rome is not a 2 team but a team that has a great future in the padel. It was our wish. It was a perfect opportunity to present a team that is discovering international competitions, that is learning and that will be fully ready within 4 years for the World Championships. ”

PM: “How did the story of padel in the Nederlands ?"

NN: “It all started in 2006. There were 2 pitches in 2 clubs with people who tried to develop the padel without success. Me, of Argentinian origin, I arrived in this country thanks to my wife in 2004. I had a job but I did not feel comfortable. One day, my wife showed me a newspaper article and said: “Look, they have built a land of padel, isn't that the sport you played when you were young in Argentina? Go ahead. Go see what they have to offer ”.

I went there, introduced myself and was told that it was 2 months that the grounds were built but nobody knew how to animate and organize the activity, which created tension. I volunteered to try something. I brought my brother-in-law, then some friends, and we started to show them the sport. Those who loved (all) talked about it to their friends, and then to the friends of their friends who wanted to learn the sport.

The same thing happened in the other club. Then a municipality wanted to build land. We put in place the whole process and started the explanations again. Then another club, then another, we were at 5 clubs and that's when we started asking questions.

About 50 players in all, it was necessary to create tournaments. Then a circuit even if we were few, it was necessary to speak about it. 5 tournaments with a master. The one who won became champion.

This is the story of the beginnings of padel in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2010.

During the next five years, the padel stagnated slightly with the creation of an additional club. We thought the story would end there. Then, an idea: we will organize in the only indoor club with 4 fields that we have, the European Championships. This is where it exploded. The journalists were interested in this country with only 6 clubs, adherent to the FIP, which embarked on the organization of such a big event.

We had the visit of major national media, investors and obviously new players.

Today we have 150 clubs, more than 15 000 regular players, and we plan to reach the 500 clubs by 5 years. "

PM: "Today we can say that it is a success with 2 male and female selections? "

NN: “For us, the national selections have never been an objective. We never wanted to become champions of an international tournament, maybe one day. For us, the national selections are a perfect instrument for the national development of sport. Getting players out of a country to participate in this type of event is an opportunity to educate them. It would amount to offering them a week at the University of padel.

During this week, players learn a lot from padel, technique, tactics, they increase their list of contacts and leave with an even greater desire to play and transmit the padel. When they return to their respective clubs, they find themselves with a bag full of knowledge, contacts and energy. All this causes them to infect him, and the clubs are growing.

I realized all of this and that is why, although we are a small country, we have a comprehensive national breeding program. Men, women, veterans, and this year the miners. "

PM: "Is there a training program?"

NN: “We have a coach education program. But what really interests us today is to bring the padel. The veterans are the parents of the minors, the players of the national selections work or have their own club, even some have invested financially in the padel. This synergy that we have created, we must continue to bring it to life, always with this good atmosphere and this desire to move forward. ”

PM: "Speaking of good atmosphere, it is true that we have seen the Dutch always in a good mood, singing and with a smile. What is it due? "

NN: “I am Argentinian, and we are a people who live with passion everything they do. In the Netherlands it's different, they're colder. My job is to bring that Hispanic side to padel Dutch, which ultimately appeals to players from that country. Our goal is to bring pleasure, it is not easy when the padel is bundled with other racquet sports.

I ask players at international events, bring flags, portable speakers and prepare songs. Often it is me who initiates the hostilities but at the end of 2 hours they are at ease and do everything themselves. Maybe we will never be world champions, but we will be the first in a good mood. "

PM: "On these European Championships you leave with what memories? "

NN: "For me, the most important thing is that players leave with as much knowledge as possible. We know that we do not have the level yet to fight against France or Italy. But during these games, our players can compete against players they are not used to playing. And that's a victory. "

PM: "A word for the end?"

NN: “I invite you all to know the padel or just keep playing it. It is a great sport which brings pleasure to everyone and which deserves to grow. It's a lifestyle that makes people better. ”

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.