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From her tennis background to her passion for teaching, Camila has quickly become a rising figure in New Zealand's growing padel scene. After first discovering the sport during a trip to Chile in 2018, Camila was instantly hooked and soon found herself coaching players back home. With a wealth of experience as a physical education teacher and tennis coach, she has a unique approach to coaching, focusing on the individual needs of each player. In this interview, Camila shares her journey into padel, her coaching philosophy, and her goals for the sport both in New Zealand and beyond.
How did you get into padel, and how did you first hear about it?
On one of my trips back to Chile in 2018, one of my brothers invited me to play. He thought I might be interested because of my tennis background. I fell in love with the sport instantly.
I first heard about padel through social media, as well as friends and family who were already playing.
When did you start coaching, and what inspired you to become a padel coach?
In 2023, I returned to Chile for about four months. One of my brothers decided to open his own club and needed help promoting the sport. Thanks to my background as a physical education teacher and tennis coach, I assisted him with the administrative side, organizing events, and coaching.
After returning, I started giving lessons in New Zealand.
What truly inspired me was seeing people eager to learn a new sport and having the opportunity to share my knowledge with them. But more than anything, my biggest inspiration comes from my students—they push me to be a better person and coach every day.
What is your coaching philosophy?
I believe that everyone has the right to learn if they have the desire to do so. With dedication and consistency, significant improvements can be made. My goal is to guide and motivate players throughout their journey, helping them grow and enjoy the process.
What are the main types of padel players, and how do you adapt your coaching to each?
Since padel is still an emerging sport in New Zealand, most players are beginners—many with little to no sports background, while others come from tennis or have some experience with racket sports. The key to adapting is understanding what each player needs and what they are looking for. Based on that, training can be planned according to their specific requirements. Everyone learns differently, and it’s important to be open to that.
What are your goals for padel in NZ and beyond?
An incredible community has formed around the sport, which keeps me highly motivated. My goal is to continue contributing in the best way possible, helping players develop their skills, become strong competitors, and, most importantly, enjoy the game. I want to help grow the community and inspire more people to play, compete, and connect through padel. One of my biggest aspirations is to become New Zealand’s national coach.
What is your favourite shot?
My favourite shot is the Chiquita, closely followed by the Rulo.
What is your favourite VOLT Padel racket?
My favourite racket is the VOLT 900. It’s a versatile racket that suits my game very well.