During the Estrella Damm Masters Final contest, and coinciding with the presentation of the new signature shovels for the 2016 season, we were able to speak with the General Manager of the prestigious firm in Spain and France. A most enriching talk.
Padel World Press .- For a decade now, HEAD's top managers have set their sights on the world of paddle tennis. Due to their vision and experience, they soon realized that it was a sport with great potential for the future and, therefore, they decided to take their first steps.
As in all experiences, it is not always correct from the first minute and, in that sense, Nico Faure told us: “10 years ago, at HEAD we decided to replicate the strategies applied in paddle tennis, in terms of production processes, etc ... It didn't take long for us to realize that this model was not working very well and we decided to invest in R&D applied specifically to paddle tennis. Thanks to this, for 7 or 8 years we already have our own division for this sport, with its R&D, marketing, sales, etc. departments, with the results that all fans already know ”.
Very attentive to the growth that padel is experiencing in other corners of the world: "Since 5 or 6 years ago we started to internationalize this sport, starting from within the company itself through our international commercial channels in France, South America and almost every country in Europe. "
To speak of HEAD is to do it of a multinational of great international prestige. What role does padel represent in a company of such dimensions? The General Manager of the prestigious firm in Spain and France said: "One of our main assets is tennis and, although both sports have their own way of thinking, product and marketing level there are common elements such as the commitment to players 1 numbers as well as the 'top' brands. In padel, we have linked to World Padel Tour, which would have the Premium label. "
With regard to his steps to promote the internationalization of paddle tennis, he highlighted: “We are applying what we have learned in the Spanish market, betting on the clubs. But there is a caveat of which we are very aware: paddle tennis in Europe is in the first phase, that of making itself known and, for that, you have to work. For example, in France, with the thousands of tennis clubs out there, we must present it as a perfect complement to its current offering. The great advantage of paddle tennis is that people want to play it once they have discovered its benefits: social, accessible, fun, etc… ”.
A good example of the growth of padel in Gallic lands can be found in the National Padel Cup: "It was its second edition, if we take into account the experience of 2014, and returned to be framed within the National Tennis Cup, a competition that we have 8 years being the Official Ball and which is already considered the most important 'Amateur Tournament' in the world, in which some 6.000 players meet. This season, in the case of paddle, it was attended by 280 couples and they went from the 2 tracks of the previous edition to the 5 that were needed for this ... The best thing is that growth is expected to be exponential and that , in 2016, both events have to be celebrated for the first time in different weeks. We have an agreement to remain the Official Ball for the next 3 campaigns. "
Very present in the recently disputed European Championship, where he dressed the French team, Nico Faure reviewed: “HEAD sponsored the French team and well, players of this level are already looking for the best materials. We were delighted to help them and now we are very proud to have sponsored the current European Champion in boys and runner-up in girls… We know that Spain was missing, hehehe, but it is a success in any case. In France, there are already several players who are 100% dedicated to paddle tennis. They have left their jobs to pour themselves out, putting all their resources and time into this sport. This is the case of Robin Haziza in his club, Padel Nice ”.
One aspect that we found very interesting about the French market, and which we talked about during our talk, is that the French Tennis Federation automatically offers 3 licenses once you sign up: “The Tennis, the Padel and Beach Tennis … This is a very interesting measure, to attract attention and attract tennis players quickly. Now, the next step is to inform people, make them discover paddle tennis, build more courts and train monitors ... Then the market and turnover will come with the aim of being number 1 in the near future, as we are in tennis " .
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