Mail Metro Media’s Chief Revenue Officer, Dominic Williams, has announced a new charity event called Padelfest, designed to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The inaugural tournament will take place on September 10 at Earls Court’s Padel Social Club.
Padelfest will feature media industry leaders competing in a round-robin-style padel tournament. Teams of two can enter, with the entry fee covering access for players and their guests to watch the matches, along with food and refreshments.
Williams has a personal connection to the BHF, having suffered a heart attack three years ago. He credits the charity with playing a crucial role in his recovery.
“They were just amazing for the aftercare,” Williams told The Media Leader. “They got me back, they got my confidence back.”
The event combines Williams’ passion for padel—a sport he plays several times a week—with his commitment to supporting the BHF.
“I love it, I’m addicted to it,” he said.
Padel is a racket sport usually played in doubles. It follows the same scoring system as tennis but has different rules. Notably, the courts have walls that players can bounce the ball off, similar to squash.
Padel is rapidly growing in the UK. According to the Lawn Tennis Association, participation has tripled in the past year, with over 400,000 adults and juniors playing at least once in 2024. This surge in popularity has led to the development of more courts nationwide. Currently, there are 893 padel courts spread across 300 venues.
Williams began playing padel during his recovery because it is less physically demanding than squash and tennis. It allows players to maintain a moderate heart rate. He also proudly mentioned winning DMG Media’s padel tournament last year.
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