About Nick Williams
Padel coach, educator and club development specialist with over 30 years’ coaching experience.
My Story
From the Court to Coach Education
My coaching journey began over 30 years ago on the tennis court, working with everyone from complete beginners to performance players.
Over time, I became increasingly interested in developing coaches and building programmes that could help more people enjoy and improve at the sport.
In 2000, I moved into coach education and began training and mentoring coaches across the UK. This eventually led to working with the LTA, developing national coaching qualifications and supporting thousands of coaches through their professional development.
Alongside this, I’ve designed and delivered large-scale coaching programmes, helping clubs improve participation, develop their coaching teams and build stronger communities.
From Tennis to Padel
I first played padel in 2015 at Hazelwood Sports Club in London. My involvement in the sport developed significantly in 2020, when I worked alongside Sandy Farquharson from The Padel School to help develop the LTA Padel Instructor qualification.
Working with Sandy sparked a much deeper interest in the game. I began taking lessons with Sandy, developing my own playing skills and becoming increasingly involved in padel coaching and coach education.
Since then, I’ve represented Wales in the Four Nations and worked with clubs, coaches and academies across the UK and internationally, developing coaching standards, programmes and opportunities for players.
With Sandy Farquharson at Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy
Why I Founded The Coach Station
After 30 years in sports development and coaching, I’ve learned that growing a sport takes more than simply providing somewhere to play. It needs great coaches, well-designed programmes and clear pathways that give people opportunities to participate, improve and belong.
From junior development and opportunities for women and girls to recreational programmes and competitive pathways, I believe every part of the sport deserves attention. That’s how we create lasting participation and stronger sporting communities.
I founded The Coach Station to bring that thinking into padel. I want to help clubs, coaches and organisations create meaningful opportunities for players at every level, building the programmes, pathways and coaching environments that will help the sport grow and thrive for years to come.
And I still love coaching Padel too.
Experience That Makes a Difference
National Coach Education
I’ve helped develop national tennis and padel coaching qualifications for the LTA. Up to Level 5 in tennis and Level 2 in Padel, shaping how coaches are trained and assessed across the UK.
I’ve also delivered qualifications, trained coach educators and supported programmes that reach over 3,000 coaches annually.
I hold the LTA Level 3 Padel Coach Award with Distinction
International Coach Development
As Head of Coach Education at The Padel School, I’ve developed coaching qualifications, training programmes and practical learning resources.
I’ve also trained and mentored coaches across Europe, Dubai and South Africa, working with clubs and academies to improve coaching standards and player development.
Programme Development and Growth
I’ve built and managed large-scale coaching programmes, including a multi-site operation spanning more than 25 courts and a team of over 15 coaches.
I’ve also helped grow coach education businesses nationally, developing teams, participation pathways and programmes that attract new players and encourage them to stay.
Padel Club Development & Consultancy
I’ve supported padel operators with venue launches, coaching strategy, recruitment and workforce development, helping turn new facilities into active sporting communities.
My experience combines coaching expertise with a practical understanding of club operations, programme development and the importance of attracting and retaining players.
Some Organisations I've Worked With
LTA
I’ve worked with the LTA for over 25 years, developing national tennis and padel coaching qualifications, training coach educators and assessing coaching standards across the UK.
The Padel School
During my time as Head of Coach Education at The Padel School, I developed international coach education programmes, qualifications and learning resources. I also trained coaches and delivered player clinics across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Freedom Leisure
As Director of Tennis, I developed a large multi-site coaching programme across more than 25 courts, leading a team of over 15 coaches. I built participation and performance pathways, helping players progress from grassroots tennis through to national and international competition.
Powerleague
I’ve supported Powerleague with padel venue launches, delivered training for staff and worked with regional managers to develop their understanding of the sport. This has included practical coaching, workforce development and helping teams introduce padel to new communities.
We Do Tennis
As Head of Coach Development, I led coach education and workforce development across the North West and North of England. I recruited, trained and mentored tutors, supported coaching qualifications and worked with clubs to develop stronger coaching teams and participation programmes.
Tennis Wales
I’ve worked with Tennis Wales through my involvement in national coaching qualifications and coach education, supporting the development of coaching standards and opportunities within Welsh tennis and padel.