Smash Padel Bicester.

General Manager & Coach, Bicester

I played padel  for the first time on holiday in Lanzarote and fell for it straight away. When we came home we found our local courts and started playing regularly with friends, which is what kickstarted my coaching. My favourite part of the job is getting to know players as individuals and working out what makes them tick, then helping them feel part of the Smash Padel community. Away from padel I'm hiking in the mountains, swimming in lakes or dragging myself around a hockey pitch

Qualifications

LTA Padel Instructor (Level 2), working towards LTA Padel Coach (Level 3).

Favourite shot

Backhand bajada – it's satisfying when it connects.

Coaching catchphrase

'Less is more.'

Assistant Manager, Bicester

I first played with my family on holiday in Majorca. What I enjoy most about coaching is watching people enjoy themselves and develop as they go. When I'm not on court I'm usually playing cricket.

Qualifications

LTA Introduction to Padel.

Favourite shot

Kick smash, because it’s just a fun shot.

Coaching catchphrase

'That was crap.'

Head Coach, Bicester

I found padel through my son, Andrew, who discovered the sport at a national tennis competition in Edinburgh. My own background is an unusual mix of tennis and music. Before coaching, I performed extensively across Europe as a recitalist and chamber musician, played guitar with the Royal Shakespeare Company and was a finalist in Young Guitarist of the Year. That life taught me a great deal about discipline, creativity and the psychological demands of performing at a high level, and it shapes everything about how I coach. Away from the courts, you'll most likely find me working in my music studio. 

I'm passionate about education and lifelong learning, and I bring insights from performance psychology, philosophy, sports science and artistic practice into my sessions, with a particular emphasis on mental resilience. For me, coaching is about building confidence and self-awareness so that development is meaningful and lasts. I specialise in junior performance and coach the Smash junior academy, and I've coached players to FIP Promises titles in Europe. I've also supported Andrew on his own journey: he represented Great Britain at the FIP Junior World Cup in Reus, Spain and the FIP Euro Cup in Porto, Portugal, and reached a world ranking of 11 in the 14U category in 2025.

Qualifications

Currently working towards LTA Padel Instructor (Level 2).

Favourite shot

I’ve always been obsessed with backhands.

Coaching Catchphrase

"Great intention"

Coach, Bicester

I first played padel on holiday in Lanzarote with my tennis mad family and we all fell for it straight away. When we came home, the owner of our local court encouraged us to take our coaching qualifications and everything went from there. What I enjoy most about coaching is giving someone the confidence to get on court, whether that's to stay active, meet people or just have fun. Outside of padel I'm usually playing tennis or catching up with friends.

Qualifications

LTA Padel Instructor (Level 2).

Favourite shot

A deep, low forehand volley down the middle, hit after coming in behind the serve

Coaching catchphrase

'Keep it simple and have fun'

Coach & padel pro, Bicester

I found padel in Spain during Covid, through a gym I'd joined to meet people. A few open matches in, I was hooked. What I enjoy most about coaching is seeing how pleased people are when something they have found difficult finally clicks. Outside of padel you'll find me anywhere in nature, in the mountains or in the sea.

Qualifications

Team GB junior coach, GB open women's team player, FIP career high of 120 in the world and No.2 in the UK.

Favourite shot

Bajada – well disguised, so opponents don’t have a clue where it’s going!

Coaching catchphrase

I don't know if I have one? The people I coach will probably say I do though. 

Head of Padel

I first discovered padel in 2015 in my hometown of Porto in Portugal, playing with friends, and it quickly became a passion. What I enjoy most about coaching is helping people grow whatever their level, and showing how much sport can bring people together. Outside of padel I'm with family and friends, or back home by the river and cheering on FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão.

Qualifications

LTA Padel Instructor (Level 2), working towards LTA Padel Coach (Level 3); Portuguese Padel Federation coaching licence (Level 1); Great Britain junior girls coach at the FIP World Championships (Spain, 2025) and the European Championships (Porto, 2026).

Favourite shot

Víbora – it took a long time to master, so a hitting a good one is always satisfying.

Coaching catchphrase

'Exactlyyyyyy!'

Coach, Bicester

How did you get into padel?
I organised an end of season social for my squash team to Smash Padel Oxford to see how our skills would translate and found the fun in the sport straight away, especially with it combining my tennis and squash skillsets. After that I started coming to the Up and Active sessions midweek to meet new players and try to get into the Padel community, I was hooked.

What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I love helping people find confidence and fun in sport, throughout my life sports teams and environments have been where I have found my greatest sense of community, enabling people to thrive on court is such a privilege. Additionally, prior to coaching I worked for many years as an analyst, being a detail orientated people person makes coaching the perfect fit.

What padel qualifications and accreditations do you have?
I have completed two LTA CPD courses (Introduction to Padel Coaching & Coaching Kids Padel and am currently preparing to complete the LTA Level 2 accreditation. Outside of Padel I am a Level 2 Squash Coach.

What's your favourite padel shot, and why?
I play on both sides depending on who I am pairing with, but when I am on the right side, I love a flat backhand return up the middle. It can be exceptionally effective and equally low-risk, picking out that gap between the net players and taking the net and often winning the point outright.

Outside of padel, where would we most likely find you?
Either spending time with my partner and our young daughter exploring the world through her eyes or on a squash court.

If you could play padel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’d love to experience an academy in Spain to further on my coaching and learn from an array of expertise. On a more local note, a nice rural setting with a view is pretty special in my opinion.

How would your friends or colleagues describe you in three words?
Caring, active and social

What's your coaching catchphrase, or the thing you find yourself saying most often during a session?
Let’s go team!