In this exclusive three-part series, The Padel Weekly sits down with George Modler, co-founder of the Padel Directory, to delve into his inspiring journey from discovering padel as a student to spearheading one of the sport’s most innovative platforms. George shares insights into the platform’s success in the UK, its mission to connect the padel community, and its ambitious plans to expand into the U.S. market. Whether you’re a seasoned player, a club owner, or simply a fan of the game, this series offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the Padel Directory is transforming the sport and what’s next for padel enthusiasts worldwide. Stay tuned as we explore George’s story, the impact of the Padel Directory, and the bold steps being taken to bring its vision stateside.
In just two years, George Modler has gone from discovering the joys of padel at the University of Bristol to becoming a key player in the sport’s growth through his innovative platform, the Padel Directory. George’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, community, and vision.
“I’ve played padel now for coming up to two years. I actually found it through the University of Bristol here,” George shared. “Since then, I probably played every other day at least, and wherever I’ve gone on holiday or traveled to, I’ve played padel.”
For George, the allure of padel lies in its unique blend of competition and camaraderie. “I really enjoy the social side of the sport, but also it’s good to get some competitive edge out there,” he explained. This enthusiasm quickly turned into a driving force for his career, propelling him into the world of padel events and tournaments with Golden Point Padel, where he focused on the recreational side of the sport.
“I played a game that afternoon with Ben Harris, co-founder at the Padel Directory, and we spoke about the lack of connectedness and communication in the padel world, especially in the UK. That’s when we came up with the idea for the Padel Directory.”
However, it was during his time at Golden Point that George encountered a critical gap in the market: a lack of centralized information about padel clubs, coaches, and events. This challenge became the catalyst for what would become the Padel Directory.
“When I was looking for sponsors or partners or clubs, I struggled to find information in one place,” George recalled. “I played a game that afternoon with Ben Harris, co-founder at the Padel Directory, and we spoke about the lack of connectedness and communication in the padel world, especially in the UK. That’s when we came up with the idea for the Padel Directory.”
The platform has since become a game-changer for the sport, addressing key challenges such as accessibility, visibility, and community engagement. But George’s story is only the beginning. In the next part, we delve deeper into the Padel Directory itself—its rapid rise, unique features, and how it’s reshaping the sport in the UK.
Keep it here on The Padel Weekly for part 2, where George discusses Padel Directory UK’s inception, creation, and operation!
