Smash Padel has launched its fourth club, this time in collaboration with Haywards Heath Rugby Club in Cuckfield, Mid Sussex. The new site features three premium, canopy-covered courts and marks the company’s second successful partnership with a rugby club following the opening of Smash Whitstable earlier this year with Whitstable Rugby Football Club.
Carson Russell, CCO, highlights why rugby clubs are such a strong strategic fit:
“When a rugby club has a clear 5–10 year vision, many of their goals align with ours: inclusivity, coaching excellence, continued professional development, holistic youth programmes, and a strong sense of belonging and community. These are the qualities that make a great rugby club, and also what make them ideal partners for Smash. Much like schools with aligned values, they create the right environment for long-term collaboration.”
Smash Padel has also attracted notable support from the rugby world, with investment from eight Scottish players including Adam Hastings, as well as British & Irish Lions stars Hugh Jones and Blair Kinghorn.
Adam Hastings shared why the sport resonates with players:
“As rugby players the game of padel makes sense to us. Rugby gets a little trickier as you progress but it is easy to pick up and it doesn’t take much to get you hooked. So we can see parallels with padel and we identify with any social game that has its foundation in friendships for life.”
With further partnerships currently in discussion, Smash is actively expanding its footprint through collaborations with like-minded rugby clubs and schools across the UK, as well as individual sites. New locations will be announced soon. To learn more, visit www.smashpadel.co.