LTA’s Kemp joins R3 to drive Super League plan
R3 Sport has appointed Sam Kemp as Managing Director of Operations, Tournaments and Events to help drive continued expansion of the business with a particular focus on tournaments, including launching a Padel Super League and supporting charity event PadelAid.
Sam joins R3 Sport from the LTA, where he spent more than six years managing tennis competitions and leading the development and delivery of padel competitions.
At R3 Sport, which launched in February to invest in the sports and entertainment sectors with a focus on padel, Sam will lead operations, tournaments and events strategy. A main focus will be R3 Sport’s plans for a Padel Super League. He will also oversee the strategic development of a portfolio of events and exhibitions.
R3 Sport also has plans for two padel venues in the UK with between 16 and 20 courts. In addition, it says it is in talks/final negotiations to acquire and/or invest in pre-existing clubs in the UK and worldwide and is developing a series of major events alongside scouting elite padel players in the UK and abroad to manage. R3 currently has 10 professional players on its books, with several representing GB in the recent European Padel Championships.
Jonathan Rowland, co-founder and chairman of R3 Sport said: “The appointment of a Managing Director of Operations, Tournaments and Events is a major development in the ongoing expansion of the business and Sam brings deep experience and expertise from his role at the LTA. His key focus will be the launch of our planned Padel Super League as well as continuing to deliver tournaments and other events as we build into a pivotal driving force in shaping the future of padel within the UK.”
Sam added: “R3 Sport’s plans to drive the growth of padel in the UK are very exciting and I look forward to playing a key role in helping the business and sport to expand.”
Sam is the second high-profile padel departure from the LTA in as many months; Padel Performance Manager Matt Stanforth left in June. 🎾
