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Africa Padel is bringing the world’s fastest-growing sport – played in over 60 countries and by more than 10 million people – to Africa.
A South African-Swedish business consortium is serving up a feast of a new kind of tennis like never seen before on the African continent.
Strictly speaking, it’s not tennis. It’s known as Padel, a hybrid between tennis and squash, and it’s universally referred to as the fastest growing sport in the world, with more than 10 million people playing in over 60 countries. Now Africa Padel is giving those on the African continent the opportunity to be part of the global phenomenon.
Our clubs are the social part of padel, where padel players and spectators can socialise with other like-minded people, make new friends or expand business networks by creating new connections, while having fun through a shared passion for padel and healthy lifestyles on and off the court. There is no better way to build sustainable, lifelong business relationships than through a shared interest.
Padel is a mixture of “tennis with walls” and “squash in the sun,” and with the World Padel Championship scheduled for 2021, it may become an Olympic sport by 2024!
Padel is currently most popular in Spain, Sweden, Portugal, United Kingdom, Argentina and Mexico – where Enrique Corcuera invented the sport of padel in Acapulco in 1969.
It can be played in groups of mixed ages and abilities as it is not dominated by strength, technique or serve. An important skill is match-craft, as points are won by strategy instead of by sheer strength and power. It is played mainly in a doubles format on an enclosed court, surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mash about a third of the size of a tennis court. The rules are broadly the same as tennis, although you serve underhand and the walls are used as part of the game with the ball allowed to bounce off them like with squash.
A serial entrepreneur, founder of Africa Padel, the Kiwi Collection and creator of the VISA Luxury Hotel Collection, with an unparalleled knowledge of fine hotels and more than 20 years of experience in marketing, sales, branding and web design. Philippe has visited more than 2,000 hotels in over 140 countries and is renowned among the travel industry’s elite. In 2009 he created the VISA Luxury Hotel Collection for VISA’s premium cardholders, an initiative that launched in 145 countries, was translated into 10 languages and is now one of VISA’s core card benefits. In 2012 the brand for Hotel Insider was conceived and in 2015, PK’s List launched Subjective Travel Intelligence™️, a bespoke Travel Advisory Service, complemented with an app available on the App Store under PK’s List. Philippe’s hotel expertise has made him a go-to resource for all, from CEOs of leading companies, Royals, UHNWI and celebrities.
He’s a CA (SA) and has held various senior positions, both financial and general management at large corporates as well as smaller ‘subsidiary’ companies. He led an MBO of a troubled business out of Datatec Ltd many years ago and turned it around within a year. The business was subsequently invested in by Dimension Data. He exited this business approximately eight years ago and has invested in a few tech businesses in Cape Town since moving down from Johannesburg seven years ago. He likes the strategic involvement as well as the hands-on aspect of business and is an avid tennis player.
Swedish creative director, copywriter and scriptwriter who has worked in the advertising industry for over twenty years. Christer has helped Swedish and international brands with strategic work and advertising concepts as well as hands-on copywriting. Apart from his native Sweden, Christer has worked and lived in London, Hamburg, Luxemburg, Chicago and Vancouver. Christer is also a well-known scriptwriter and is the creator of the Swedish comedy series “Boy Ma-chine”, and his latest series “Bosnia ‘93” will air in Sweden and the rest of Europe in 2021. Christer is an avid padel player, and before finding his passion for padel, he was an active tennis and squash player. He has recently created a new clothing brand, QUÍN PADEL, with the mission to make padel players look extraordinary before, under and after they sweat. Christer holds a BA from Uppsala University.
Boris is a family man and sports lover. He is a developer and project manager with over 30 years experience in the construction industry. He has built service stations and convenience stores for the oil industry as well as having built high end luxury homes, lodges and commercial buildings. He has also built numerous projects in Africa mainly Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Luke sits on the South African Padel Association’s board and is the President of the Africa Padel Association. Luke has held Sales and Marketing positions for over 20 years and has previously founded and been Managing Director of both Plush Promotions and Organized Chaos Experiential Events Agency. He has held various positions for Blue Chip Liquor Companies in SA, including National Sponsorship Manager and National Relationship Manager, and is MD of Sports Essence Online Shop and a guest lecturer on Sponsorships for Magnette Academy. Luke has played a number of sports at a high level.
Vi is a dynamic, confident, stylish and highly motivated fashion manager and production manager for several top fashion brands, passionate about delivering a first-class experience. Strong leadership and staff training qualities with excellent management, communication and organisational skills. Creative visual and styling skills. Competitive in over-achieving targets. Her previous positions include manager for one of Australia’s most successful fashion designers, Collette Dinnigan, and has exhibited in London and Paris, where she was the first Australian to launch a ‘ready-to-wear’ collection, as well as the first Australian to be asked by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show in the prestigious Paris Fashion Week schedule. She was also the Production Manager for Catherine Walker & Co, a leading British couture house where she oversaw all aspects of production and managed a team of over 30 people.
Ruben is a successful business owner and an enthusiastic tennis coach with more than ten years of experience. He is passionate about sports, working with people and making a difference.
Ruben aims to deliver all Africa Padel players with the best possible padel experience, whether playing a game, tournament or lesson training, to ensure that the game of padel continues to grow far and wide.
His life motto is; you never lose, you either win, or you learn, so make sure that you learn!
Craig Stanley is an Investment Banker turned founder of utility scale renewable energy companies RE Capital and CEO of Atlantic Renewable Energy Partners. Craig is also currently the CEO and CIO of diversified Investment Company Scofish, a director of Talhado Fishing Enterprises as well as a founder of European property storage company Storesmart. Craig has previously founded and exited various companies in the South African financial services sector. He has worked in Asset Management and Investment Banking for Hermes as well as the Investec Group and was instrumental in over 20 South African and International listings.
Fabrice Pastor is a Monegasque entrepreneur, CEO of Monte Carlo International Sports, the club Tennis Padel Soleil located outside of Monaco and former professional padel player. Fabrice is also the owner of the APT Padel Tour, Fabrice Pastor Cup and president of the Continental American Padel Federation. His other initiatives include, the construction of padel complexes; the development of the Monegasque Padel Association and Federation Sportive de Padel (Monaco).
Hans Otterling has been the General Partner of Northzone since 2006. Northzone has raised nine funds to date and has €1.5 billion under management. The portfolio includes companies like Spotify, Avito, MarketInvoice, Klarna, and iZettle with offices in London, New York, and Stockholm. He founded StreamServe Inc. in 1995, (backed by Apax London) grew to one of the largest private software companies in Europe, sold to OpenText (Nasdaq). Hans also founded Waymaker, AB revolutionised the field of Investor Relations in Scandinavia, sold to Cision (NasdaqOMX).
Philippe Kjellgren is a serial entrepreneur, founder of Africa Padel, the Kiwi Collection and creator of the VISA Luxury Hotel Collection, with more than 20 years of experience in marketing, sales, branding and web design. He has visited more than 2,000 hotels in over 140 countries and is renowned among the travel industry’s elite. In 2015, he launched PK’s List – Subjective Travel Intelligence™️, a bespoke Travel Advisory Service, complemented with an app available on the App Store under PK’s List. Philippe’s hotel expertise has made him a go-to resource for all, from CEOs of leading companies, Royals, UHNWI and celebrities.
Pierre du Preez is a Director of Sutton Place, an advisory firm responsible for part of the assets of the US-based Getty Family Office. He has been instrumental in establishing an Indian Real Estate Fund, and in backing Sesfikile Capital – one of the leading listed property asset managers in South Africa. Pierre is a partner of All Seasons Venture Partners, which focuses on investing in global venture funds on behalf of African institutional clients. Pierre is a non-executive Director of All Seasons Capital Management and AndBeyond, one of the leading luxury experiential eco-tourism businesses.
Risto Silander has worked 20 years in the investment banking industry holding senior positions within Svenska Handelsbanken, Goldman Sachs, UBS and Alfred Berg. Risto was previously CEO of Alfred Berg and is currently a director on the boards of Stronghold Invest AB, Niam AB, Varenne AB, Brevan Howard Funds, Endeavour Pembroke Funds and listed company Magnolia Bostad AB. Risto holds a business degree from the Stockholm School of Economics and has studied finance on the MBA programme at Stern Business School, NYU.
Robert Hersov is an entrepreneur, senior executive and private investor. He serves as Chairman and CEO of Invest Africa, Chairman of African Capital Investments, Chairman of AlternativeCapital, and deputy Chairman of VistaJet, and chairman of Aon Africa. Rob has been a member of many public and private boards and owns many companies in the resource, media/marketing, luxury and finance sectors. He is the founder of Invest Africa, African Capital Investments, The S-Group and Alternative Capital. Rob was also the driving force behind the Sapinda Group’s direct investments in sub-Saharan Africa.
Thomas Johansson is the General Director of APT Padel Tour and has over 20 years of experience as a former Swedish professional tennis player and tennis coach. He reached a career-high Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world No. 7 singles ranking in 2002. His career highlights in singles include a Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2002, and an ATP Masters Series title at the 1999 Canada Masters. He also won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in men’s doubles and remains the last man from Sweden to win a Grand Slam in singles.
