Beyond the Game: Padel and Social Connection
Padel has emerged as one of the fastest-growing global sports phenomena in recent years, capturing the attention of investors and enthusiasts alike. However, while the rise of padel is impressive, there’s a more significant trend underlying its success: the search for meaningful connections in an increasingly isolated world. Padel, though powerful, is merely an ingredient in a broader solution to one of society’s most pressing challenges—loneliness. We need to be aware of this in order to build sustainable and profitable padel facilities. Padel: More than Just a Sport At its core, padel offers a unique blend of athleticism and social interaction. Unlike many traditional sports, where competition takes center stage, padel thrives on the social bonds it fosters. Players are drawn not just by the thrill of the game, but by the opportunity to connect with others. This is especially relevant in a world where loneliness has become a growing issue, as factors like remote work, flexible schedules, and retirement generate more free time—time that padel facilities are uniquely positioned to fill by offering a space for meaningful social interaction. Padel, therefore, stands out because it provides a structured, yet informal, environment where people can meet, socialize, and forge lasting relationships. For many, it’s easier to form connections through shared active, health-conscious activities like padel than through traditional social settings, such as bars or clubs…or Tinder. In this sense, padel is more than just a sport—it’s an antidote to loneliness. Tribal vs. Community: The Distinction To fully understand the future potential of padel, it’s essential to recognize the distinction between tribal and community dynamics. Padel is not just about building communities; it is inherently a “tribal phenomenon”. This is a critical distinction that defines its limits and its power. Tribes, unlike communities, have a deeper, more instinctual bond. They are united by shared identity and purpose rather than by proximity or convenience. A strong parallel can be drawn with the concept of Soho House, a social club that emphasizes community by attracting a like-minded crowd, making the concept work effectively. In contrast, padel facilities, with their tribal nature, cater to a much broader audience united by a shared passion for the sport and the desire for connection. While this broad appeal is a strength, it also poses a risk: attracting such a diverse crowd may, over time, dilute the identity of the club. Without a well-defined concept, padel clubs may struggle to maintain a distinct character, making it essential to invest in strong branding and clear positioning. If handled wisely, this tribal identity makes padel a powerful component in the evolving landscape of social clubs. It can serve as the foundation for multiple social experiences, which brings us to the central point: Padel is an ingredient, not the entire dish. The broader industry is hospitality, and the real opportunity lies in leveraging padel as part of a holistic solution to combat loneliness. The Role of Branding in Padel Facilities As padel continues to grow, the future of padel facilities will hinge on branding. Non-branded clubs will inevitably become undervalued, turning into commoditized service providers where the focus is purely on the game. These facilities will lack the emotional connection that can transform a space into a vibrant social hub. Without a clear identity, they’ll struggle to attract and retain players in the long term. Successful padel facilities of the future will be those that create and maintain strong, branded concepts. These concepts should focus on the broader social experience, incorporating padel as a key ingredient in a lifestyle offering that addresses loneliness. Facilities that fail to invest in branding and identity will face a harsh reality: they’ll be viewed as commodity clubs, offering a basic service for minimal cost. Take many of the clubs that rely solely on aesthetic appeal, for example. Though they may be nicely packaged, they often lack a deeper connection to their audience. These are commodity clubs—functional, but not exceptional. While they may meet the immediate needs of their members, they fail to tap into the true potential of padel as a tribal and social experience, making them ultimately unsustainable in the long run. Padel as Part of the Solution In conclusion, the future of padel facilities lies not only in recognizing the sport’s growing popularity, but in understanding its deeper role within the hospitality industry. Padel is a powerful tool for fostering social connections, yet its long-term success will depend on creating meaningful, branded experiences that go beyond the game. By embracing padel’s tribal nature and integrating it into broader, well-conceptualized social club formats, facility owners can create vibrant, sustainable environments. Without a strong identity and clear focus, padel clubs risk becoming commoditized services. The key will be to invest in branding and to align padel offerings with the broader societal need for connection, ultimately positioning padel as a vital component of modern hospitality. Pierfrancesco Iazeolla – CEO WSBSPORT Follow us for more padel tips and news! If you want to take advantage for our advice for your sports club get in touch with us!
Tax and Sport Clubs: 3 Things You Have to Know
Thoroughly know and fully control the tax status of sport clubs can be complex. Many wonder, “are sport clubs tax exempt?” Here’s a breakdown of the key points you need to know. Eligibility for Tax-Exempt Status To be tax-exempt, sport clubs often qualify under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you want more info you can check a detailed guide here. Filing Requirements Tax-exempt sports clubs must comply with annual filing requirements based on their gross receipts. Clubs need to maintain detailed records of income and expenditures, especially if they have nonmember income, to ensure compliance with IRS regulations. Income Restrictions To maintain tax-exempt status, sports clubs must adhere to income limitations from nonmember sources. Moreover, clubs cannot distribute profits to members, either directly or indirectly, such as through reduced membership fees from nonmember income. Are sport clubs tax exempt? Yes, they can be, provided they meet specific IRS requirements. Whether organized under 501(c)(3) for charitable purposes or 501(c)(7) for social and recreational activities, maintaining compliance with IRS regulations is crucial. Keep these three key points in mind to navigate the complexities of tax exemption for sport clubs successfully. For further details on filing and compliance, visit the IRS website or consult with a tax professional. Understanding these requirements will help ensure your sport club benefits from its tax-exempt status while avoiding potential pitfalls. Follow us for more soccer tips and news! If you want to take advantage for our advice for your sports club get in touch with us!
4 Soccer Field Positions to Know for Your Line-Up
Understanding soccer field positions is crucial for any team, especially in the fast-paced world of 5-a-side indoor soccer. Each role requires specific skills and responsibilities to ensure a well-rounded and effective team. Here’s a breakdown of the four main positions you need to know for your 5-a-side line-up: Goalkeeper (GK) The goalkeeper is the backbone of the defense. Their primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. In 5-a-side soccer, the goalkeeper’s responsibilities include: Goalkeepers must also be adept at playing the ball with their feet, as indoor soccer often involves more passing back to the keeper under pressure. They also need very good hand throwing as the goalkeeper’s throw-in is mainly done with the hands. Defender The defender, often referred to as the “last man”, is the main defensive anchor of the team and is positioned as the low point of the team. Key responsibilities include: A good defender needs strength, tactical awareness, and the ability to communicate effectively with teammates to organize the defense Wingers In 5-a-side soccer, wingers play a crucial role in both offense and defense. Their responsibilities include: Wingers need to be fast, agile, and possess excellent dribbling and crossing abilities to effectively contribute to the team’s dynamics Pivot/Striker The forward, also known as the pivot, is the primary goal scorer. Their main tasks include: Pivots need excellent shooting accuracy, speed, and the ability to make quick, intelligent runs to outmaneuver defenders Mastering these four positions is essential for any 5-a-side indoor soccer team. Each role has unique demands and requires specific skills to ensure the team’s overall success. By understanding and optimizing these positions, you can create a balanced and competitive line-up that is ready to take on any challenge on the soccer field. Follow us for more soccer tips and news! If you want to take advantage for our advice for your sports club get in touch with us!
A Big Future Ahead: WSBSPORT’s 5 a side journey in the USA.
The 5 a side in recent years has exploded in the U.S.A. taking ground even compared to the most historically practiced sports on American soil such as basketball, an example of this is the conversion of many basketball courts in 5 a side. WSBSPORT is the main player in this market and the experience gained in the U.S.A. has allowed us to become the market leader; we talk about the future of 5 a side with Miguel Bonilla, WSBSPORT’s Global Sales Manager. 1. How can be described the journey of the 5 a side in the US? 1. How can be described the journey of the 5 a side in the US? After more than 20 years in the industry, being world leaders in the construction of fields and development of 5-a-side soccer complexes, we decided to undertake a new adventure in the USA. Since 2015 WSBSPORT has been building the foundations in this country to grow slowly but steadily and we are reaping the fruits of that work being today the absolute market leader. It is a great satisfaction for our company to be the reference for all American entrepreneurs who want to open a small sided soccer complex. 2. What are the fundamental points of the success of 5 a side in American market? 2. What are the fundamental points of the success of 5 a side in American market? The American customer is very demanding in terms of quality, not only in the product but also in the service. We are the only company in the USA that offers a solid product in all its components and at the same time aesthetic because our fields have that Italian design that distinguishes ourselves. In addition, we are very careful in the engineering of the fields to guarantee their solidity and safety of the players. More than 20 years of experience have allowed us to develop the most advanced product. As far as service is concerned, customers prefer to work with us because in addition to offering the best small sided soccer fields on the market, we offer a turnkey service that includes an installation with teams of qualified local installers with whom we ensure a very efficient after sales service and we provide consulting services with which we ensure that the projects are sustainable, generate a quick ROI and profitability. 3. How owning a 5 a side club has changed over the years? 3. How owning a 5 a side club has changed over the years? The ideal 5v5 facility should now be a global entertainment experience that starts from the organization to the after match and beyond, and we bring undisputed advice and know-how that are fundamental to the success of the club. Operators are also betting on the digitalization of the practice. We now offer tools that film matches and provide players with real-time statistics. Players can record their best goals at the touch of a button located inside the field or on a wristband that they can wear, then review their actions and share them on social media. It displays the number of balls touched, running speed, number of goals scored. Sports tourism is also getting bigger, and we have created connections with the most important european 5v5 soccer networks to develop joint competitions. 4. What are the perspective of 5 a side in the US and how these will impact the business? 4. What are the perspective of 5 a side in the US and how these will impact the business? Soccer is growing by leaps and bounds in the USA and we expect 5-a-side to go hand in hand with that growth. The 2026 World Cup will be a “lightning rod” that will inspire more American children to take up the sport so we expect this boom to be reflected in the number of new complexes and we will be there to meet that demand. 5. How will WSBSPORT invest in the US market to support the 5 a side growth 5. How will WSBSPORT invest in the US market to support the 5 a side growth Our plans for this market with great potential are very ambitious. I can’t reveal too much at the moment, but I can say that we are investing money to be able to meet all the demands of American customers. We have always been pioneers and promoters of innovation in our sector and the American market motivates us to continue with this approach.
A CONVERSATION WITH MATS JONMARKER
Mats Jonmarker is the CEO and founder of MTJ Sports, an Illinois based company since 2006, and a leading supplier and installer of indoor and outdoor sports surfaces and equipment in the United States. MTJSPORTS has partnered with WSBSPORT to offer complete indoor soccer systems with turf, boards, goals, netting, scoreboards, and bleachers along with with full turnkey installation. Mats Jonmarker MTJSPORTS has partnered with WSBSPORT WSBSPORT and MTJSPORTS recently participated of United Soccer Coaches Convention together. It was the perfect opportunity to ask him a few questions and get to know him better: Mats tell us something about yourself and your passion for the sports world. Mats tell us something about yourself and your passion for the sports world. Mats: I follow different sports with great passion: baseball, golf, hockey, soccer, tennis and more. I coached youth soccer in the 90’s (U10-12 Teams). I play golf on a regular basis and like to work out on regular basis. My passion for sports is simple to me! It is great for one’s health and offers good social activity for friends and family. That is what we promote at MTJ Sports – more sports and recreation opportunities for people of all ages. Mats: Why did you decide to start a company like MTJ Sports? Why did you decide to start a company like MTJ Sports? Mats: The key questions in our business is always WHY? That’s how Steve Jobs invented Apple 20 years ago. MTJ Sports stands for creating more opportunities at higher quality for people to participate in sports and recreation. We believe in working with our customers as a true business partnership. We believe in continuous improvement of sports facilities, in cultivating and maintaining healthy relationships by being open and honest and most of all we believe in keeping our word. Our word is our bond. Mats: What is your value proposition? What is your value proposition? Mats: We maintain a diverse portfolio of high quality products that uses cutting edge technology to enhance athletic playability. We focus on quality products & services and align with Key vendors and strategic alliance partners like WSBSPORT. MTJ Sports Provides access to the Design, Manufacturing & Construction of High-Quality Sports Surfaces & Equipment Mats: What are the characteristics of the American soccer market? In which cities is this sport most practiced? What are the characteristics of the American soccer market? In which cities is this sport most practiced? Mats: You will find that American Soccer market is now growing everywhere throughout the country – rural and urban. Soccer in America is Booming. Mats: What kind of agreement did you make with WSBSPORT? What kind of agreement did you make with WSBSPORT? Mats: MTJ SPORTS will be committed to promote and install WSB SPORT Systems in mainly the Midwest of America, but also committed to support sales and installation throughout North America and other Countries as needed to make the 5-A-Side Soccer a success for both of us. I researched WSBSPORT and others and found WSBSPORT to show most amount of experience, quality products and desire to develop presence in the North American Soccer market. We are perfect together. Mats MATS JONMARKER: WSBSPORT SALES AGENT | MTJ SPORTS PRESIDENT AND CEO
WORKING THROUGH COVID-19
Covid-19 came like thunderbolt and hit many companies around the world, but WSBSPORT was not unprepared. The company philosophy has always been based on smart working and the profound understanding of the market and expertise of all its members. Since day 1 of lockdown the entire team, starting from the CEO, Pierfrancesco Iazeolla, continued the work from their home office, following new projects and assisting existing clients with advice and support to overcome the crisis. “Our philosophy has always been to be able to react quicker then others to market changes in order to allow our clients to adapt, and we decided to treat COVID as such.” New projects are being developed and Sales Manager Miguel Bonilla is managing the relationship with clients around the World. WSBSPORT has always been attentive to the human relationship between the company and its customers and even more so in this period we are close to our former and new partners to understand their needs and support them waiting for the reopening. “We are constantly figuring out solutions that are at the same time practical and within budget. Specifically in this period we will assure installment plans to facilitate conversion of old fashioned indoor soccer facilities to the newer 5-a-side soccer game, that is booming Worldwide.” Luca Bartolini, our engineer, is precisely working on one of these projects that will open in California in September. Many facility operators in the U.S. are contacting us to turn their old indoor soccer field into a set of 5-a-side soccer fields, which can increase revenues and players exponentially. Even on the other side of the ocean, the WSBSPORT team continues to work tirelessly. Mats Jonmarker has started today to install 3 fields in a new venue in Saint Louis, Missouri. WSBSPORT should be attending the US INDOOR SPORTS CONVENTION in Las Vegas at the end of the month to present its offer to the owners of indoor facilities but unfortunately, the event was postponed to 2021. The team is working to organize a WEBINAR and present its offer to the U.S. market. All the owners of US based sports facilities who are interested in knowing more about 5-a-side soccer are invited to attend. WSBSPORT is always at work to ensure the highest professionalism in any circumstance, even with Covid. With WSBSPORT You’ll never work alone You’ll never work alone
Indoor Soccer Center Design: the importance of branding
Indoor soccer facilities need appropriate club design and an effective branding strategy to be successful. In commercial architecture design and marketing must go hand in hand. club design branding strategy design and marketing The first examples of industrial design applied to commercial and retail outlets dates back to the early 1900’s when man started thinking of a radical new architecture in close contact with production. They began to understand that the success of a brand depends on a strong concept design permeating every aspect of the company. The goal was to make the brand recognizable in the same way through billboards to the handles of the entrance doors. success of a brand strong concept design The true explosion of this design trend became apparent in the 1980’s with the frenzy of globalization proposed by American president Ronald Reagan. The major brands realized what they were selling was not actually the product but the idea associated with their product. In everyday life consumers unknowingly started to promote brands and products associated with the lifestyle they aspire too. Branding has become a key factor in the success of a product. In construction and creation of indoor soccer facilities, competition is higher and the customers demand more services. Standardization in the design of private indoor soccer facilities is in some respects inevitable but the largest indoor soccer brands and networks have understood that brand recognition and style is important so they create clubs concepts which can be easily recognized through brand and services. Standardization Goals and Sofive: a clear branding strategy Today the market is increasingly crowded and large-scale acquisition in emerging markets include a professional brand valuation. A brand such as Goals, the most important 5 a side soccer chain in the world, mentioned the modernization and design of clubhouses and branding as a key value for the success of the club. Goals hired the services of a professional “destination architecture firm” for the redesign of their new Clubhouse 2020. modernization design branding Likewise, Sofive, one of the largest 5 a side brands in the US, opted for a clear brand strategy which standardized the design and aimed at maximum brand awareness and cost-effectiveness. Standardization is good for their brand and can save money! As an advisor to many clients, opening an indoor soccer facility WSBSPORT has its own cost-effective solution for the standardization of a club-house. One idea is to use dismantled containers to create different spaces. The modules can be easily prefabricated in the workshop and slightly modified on site. This also gives the sports center an extremely distinctive look, with an urban-street cut that suits the 5 a side world perfectly. Using this concept and in partnership with Mano Arquitectura, GOLAGOL opened in Barcelona in 2016 using containers to host the restaurant, the locker rooms, and the office. opening an indoor soccer facility GolaGol center in Barcelona GolaGol center in BarcelonaWe are working on many concepts and design ideas which we will share on this website when talking about indoor soccer design and opening new indoor soccer centers.
Open an Indoor Soccer Club for women: Le Hall Case Study
Let’s look at how a French entrepreneur created a plan to open an indoor soccer club for women. Let’s look at how a French entrepreneur created a plan to open an indoor soccer club for women. Women’s football is experiencing a moment of great awareness. Not only in the United States, where for years women have elected football as their favorite sport. The emergence of new female stars and the ever better quality of the proposed game now attracts hordes of enthusiasts who fill the stadiums in half the world. Lille is a city where indoor soccer centers have existed for years. All the major chains have at least one pitch. Huge sports retailer Decathlon has even built a pitch at their headquarter. It was necessary to create something new and focus on innovation to come up with a competitive plan. The preparatory work was focused on 3 phases: Definition of the innovative concept and preparation of a presentation document Presentation to potential investors (F&F) to request to finance, market validation and promotion Search for a suitable location. Definition of the innovative concept and preparation of a presentation document Presentation to potential investors (F&F) to request to finance, market validation and promotion Search for a suitable location. The formula devised to finance the indoor soccer center’s first phase was friends and family funding. A company was set up to present the project and around € 20,000 were collected through the sale of stock bonds. The money was used to create a professional package, a strong company logo and, above all. To make the project attractive to investors. Market research was carried out by Sarah with the help of our marketing expert Barbara Robin. The new project was named Le Hall, a female orientated soccer club. To support communication, we tied in with the launch of a French film dedicated to women football. It was called Comme de Garçons: Wsbsport set up a mini soccer pitch outside the Palais de Bercy, where the premiere of the film was happening. The photos of Sarah and her team wearing Le Hall t-shirts ended up in the major French newspapers the day after the event. Right after this promotional drive, Sarah and her partner Nassim started the real estate research. Lille is a large city and property prices are high. A good real estate agreement is the basis for the success of a soccer club. Le Hall had the advantage of presenting an innovative, exclusive, trendy project to promote women’s football and this idea did not go unnoticed. In recent years, especially in the United States and in Europe, retail is in crisis. Big brand stores close every month. In the United States only more than 12,000 stores closed in 2018. This apocalypse is not just Amazon’s fault, as many think, but it is linked to the changing conditions of the middle class. Consumers have less spending power and education, health care and housing costs have increased. This uncertainty leads people to spend more on experiences than on products … carpe diem in short! Fortunately, Lillenium, the largest shopping center in Europe, is under construction in Lille. Sarah contacted them and they were very interested in the idea of building a soccer pitch in the mall. They are studying our project in order to assign it a space in the construction. An indoor soccer center in a shopping center is not a new thing for Wsbsport. WE had the experience of creating the Monclub Futbol at the Decathlon Village of Bouc Bel Air and the PSG Park in a large shopping center in Shanghai, China. We look forward to seeing that the property of Lillenium definitively assign the space to le Hall so we can start modeling a revolutionary female soccer club in France. In summary, the services WsbSport offered Sarah Tavano were: – Project Assessment and validation – Strategy and Business development plans – Creation of the corporate vehicle – F&F fundraising – Marketing activation – Market Research – Presentation Deck