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Former England midfielder Joe Cole starred in the inaugural Mail Metro Media Padelfest in London where £40,000 was raised for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Padelfest was launched in partnership with the biggest independent funder of heart and circulatory research in the UK, with over 150 players and spectators turning out for a day of sporting competition and entertainment.
The idea for the event came from Dom Williams, Chief Revenue Officer for Mail Metro Media, to help raise money for BHF. Williams nurtures a close bond with the charity that supported him through his own personal journey.
Speaking of his experience and the new initiative, Williams said: 'I couldn't be prouder of the event we have hosted. British Heart Foundation is an amazing charity which has supported me and my family in recent years – and as a padel fanatic, I had an idea six months ago about organising a fundraising tournament.
'The outpouring of support which followed, from the Mail Metro Media team organising and my industry peers supporting, has been extraordinary.
'I'm incredibly grateful for everyone's efforts, the brilliant day of padel we have enjoyed, even and most importantly, to give something back to such an important cause.'
£40,000 was raised for the British Heart Foundation at Mail Metro Media's Padelfest. Pictured: Josh Parsons, Rebecca Honey, Molly Rice from the BHF and Mail Metro Media Chief Revenue Officer Dom Williams
Former England midfielder Joe Cole starred in the tournament alongside hundreds of players
The idea for the event came from Dom Williams. He said 'I couldn't be prouder of the event'
Wavemaker, made up of Scott Braniff (L) and Ben Walton, defeated Cole and Jack Wilson in final
An impressive 32 teams representing UK media companies took part in the event at Earl's Court Padel Social Club on Wednesday with Cole's team losing in the final.
Wavemaker, made up of Scott Braniff and Ben Walton, defeated Cole and Jack Wilson.
'I played it on holiday in Dubai and loved it,' Cole told Daily Mail Sport.
'I'd love to play it more but I just don't get the time with football and the kids,' he added.
'I would love to play every day.'
Asked to choose between padel and football, the ex-West Ham and Chelsea man admitted he now preferred padel.
'Padel's less invasive on the joints so I'd say padel. Football's getting harder and harder,' the 43-year-old said.
Latest figures analysed by the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) revealed that participation in padel has more than trebled in the last year.
