Meet the KIWI PADEL team: Kevin
Hi Kevin, Tell us a bit about yourself and how you joined/started Kiwi Padel.
I’ve been in New Zealand for 10 years now and have always been passionate about sports. From a young age, I wanted my career to be in the sports industry. My journey started in the fitness world when I part owned Fitness All Together, which allowed me to create a community that shares my passion for staying active.
But I’ve always loved collective sports, particularly ball games, and that’s where padel came into my life. Around 4 years ago, Diego was my flat mate, and that’s when he started talking about padel. At that time, I didn’t have the capacity to explore it further, but the conversation stuck with me.
Two years after, we reconnected and found the time to really dive into padel, and I began working with Diego to bring this fantastic sport to New Zealand. In October 2023, we installed the first padel court in the country through Kiwi Padel, we have 7 coming in 2024 and now we’re pushing to grow the sport even further in the coming year.
Kiwi Padel became the first padel court importer in New Zealand a year ago. How do you feel about that?
It’s a huge achievement! Being the first to import padel courts and install one in New Zealand is something Diego and I are incredibly proud of.
It was a long and challenging process, especially for Diego, but also for myself. The fact that we’ve navigated those early challenges means we’ve laid the groundwork for our clients.
Moving forward, the journey will be simpler for everyone - our clients, ourselves, and anyone wanting to get into the sport. We’re learning from each project and constantly improving the experience to ensure we deliver the best to our customers.
What is your best advice for future padel court owners?
The padel industry is already well-established in other parts of the world, so my advice would be to do your research. It’s important to know the market and understand what makes a great padel court.
At Kiwi Padel, we are here to support future owners, and we have extensive experience not just in the New Zealand market but also in the European and oceanic markets.
In my opinion, the most important thing is to make sure you’re working with the right people - whether it’s your builder, your contractor, or your court importer. Working with the best will save you time, money, and potentially even legal issues. You don’t want to be dealing with tribunals or complications that arise from working with the wrong partners.
What would you say to someone or a club hesitating to use Kiwi Padel services?
If you're on the fence about working with us, I encourage you to make the first contact. It can be a call, an email or a DM on Instagram - We are here to help.
As a proud partner of Portico Sports, one of the best manufacturers in the world, we promise you top-quality products, expert engineering, and efficient project management. We adapt to your pace, your schedule, and your vision.
Our goal is to provide the best possible experience for our clients and help you avoid mistakes we have learnt from along the way.
What are your professional and/or personal goals for 2025?
Professionally, I’d love to see Kiwi Padel install at least 12 more courts across New Zealand. We already have 7 courts in progress this year, and I’m excited about what’s coming. We want to connect with like-minded people, build more partnerships, and make a real impact on the New Zealand’s padel market.
Personally, I just want to maintain the work life balance. It’s important for me to stay mentally and physically happy. Many Padel game are coming over the next few months.
Who is your best partner at padel?
Of course, it’s Diego! So, if anyone’s up for a challenge, you know where to find us :)
Anything you would like to add?
The growth of padel in New Zealand is only just beginning. Compare it to a wave that started in Spain, traveled 18,000 km, and is now hitting New Zealand. The question is; who’s going to ride the wave with us?
We’re excited to be at the forefront of this movement, and we hope more people will join us in growing the sport.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re curious about padel or want to know more about Kiwi Padel - we’re here to help!
See you on the court!
