Annual Activity Report – 2023

Padel Federation of Ireland (PFI) Annual Activity Report – 2023

As the governing body for padel in Ireland, the Padel Federation of Ireland (PFI) is pleased to present the 2023 Annual Activity Report, summarising the key activities, developments, and achievements throughout the year.  

  1. Growth of Padel in Ireland
  • Courts:
    By the end of 2023, Ireland boasted a total of approx 60 padel courts, with new facilities added in key locations including Dublin, Cork, and Moira. Development projects for additional courts are underway to meet growing demand.
  • Players:
    The number of active padel players in Ireland is now in the considerable thousands, with a steady increase driven by outreach initiatives, coaching programmes, and club activities.
  • Clubs:
    Ireland is now home to a growing number of affiliated clubs, with each contributing to the sport’s development at grassroots and competitive levels.
  1. Activities and Initiatives in 2023

Coaching Programmes

  • PFI organised multiple Official Padel Coaching Courses to meet the demand for certified coaches.
  • Disability Inclusion Training became a mandatory module in the certification process, furthering our commitment to accessibility and inclusion in sports.

Competitions and Tournaments

  • Over 15 national ranking tournaments were held at the local level, ranging from beginner-friendly events to high-performance competitions.
  • All-Ireland Championships
  • Open trials and selections for players from all clubs around Ireland
  • PFI players participated in international competitions, including as part of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) Team Ireland  at the Krakow European Games 2023, showcasing Ireland’s growing talent on the global stage.

Women in Sport Initiative

  • The Women in Sport Initiative provided free training programmes for over 50 women, empowering them to pursue competitive padel. Programmes were held in Dublin, Cavan, and Moira, with significant engagement and success. 

Grassroots Development

  • Collaborative events and youth programmes were launched in partnership with local schools and community groups to introduce padel to a younger audience.
  • Junior Open Days and Workshops
  • Disability inclusion workshops and training programmes
  • Working with the Irish Special Schools Sports Council (ISSSC) to host weekly training and inter-school workshops

Padel Forward Initiative

  • To work on establishing the Padel Forward Programme with Erasmus Plus in collaboration with the Spanish Padel Federation in order to gain hands-on experience for padel coaches and staff by working with leading padel professionals in Spain.
  1. Achievements
  • Ireland competed as part of the Olympic Federation of Irealnd Team Ireland in its first European Games in Krakow.
  • Launch of nationwide padel events calendar, ensuring consistent tournament opportunities throughout the year.
  • Ongoing support to padel clubs and coaches including free initiatives, upskilling, official Padel Certification courses, coaching development courses, safeguarding workshops, Disability Inclusion Wrokshops, garda vetting, club management support and advice, opportunities to host national ranking tournaments, official FIP Umpirea and Referee courses
  • Ongoing opportunities for padel players in Ireland including National team opportunities, trials, player licenses, coaching
  • Implementation of digital resources, including an updated website and social media platforms, to enhance communication with members.
  1. Looking Ahead to 2024

PFI aims to:

    • Expand the number of padel courts and affiliated clubs.
    • Continue to provide support and opportunities for padel players from grassroots to high-performance
    • Continue to provide support to new and existing clubs around Ireland
    • Continue to provide support and continuous learning for padel coaches
    • Establishment of the National Junior Development Programme
  • Padel Forward Initiative – to commence working with the European Commission on an initiative to enhance and develop padel in Ireland
  • Increase participation through targeted programmes for juniors and adults.
  • Host national-level championships and attract international tournaments to Ireland.
  • Continue to promote and implement all Sport Ireland policies
  • Continue collaborating with FIP and other stakeholders to elevate padel in Ireland and on a global scale.

 

For more details about our activities, please visit our website at padelfederation.ie or email us at info@padelfederation.ie.

Together, we’re building the future of padel in Ireland.



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