Vega unveils padel events business
Vega launches BY3 Events
Well-known player and padel pro Rafa Vega has launched his own business to capitalise on the rapidly growing demand for padel events and experiences, from corporate days to amateur tournaments and hosted VIP trips.
For the 29-year-old Spaniard its the realisation of a dream in the making for several years, with the business taking shape in the last few months ahead of launch today (April 10th).
The new venture – BY3 Events (by three is a padel shot smashing the ball out of court) – brings together Rafa’s experience playing padel (he’s LTA No 1), organising events and working in padel venues around the UK (many people will know him from his time as Head of Padel at Rocks Lane in Chiswick, London) and his sports background (including an MBA in sports management and sports science degree).
His contacts book is filled with a who’s who of padel not just in this country but overseas and it’s this information, coupled with his insider knowledge of the padel industry, that he intends to put to good use creating, curating and organising padel experiences, from what he described as ‘high end’ to amateur/social events, team-building trips and even launch events for new venues.
“Launching BY3 events is the culmination of nearly seven year’s work for me,” said Rafa. “Studying, coming to London to perfect my English and learn more about the padel industry here all with a view to eventually being able to combine my love of the sport with my management and events experience for the benefit of clients. It is quite exciting and we can’t wait to get started!
“We know it can be a challenge pulling together all elements of a successful event so we do it for you,” said Rafa. “We run events from start to finish, taking care of everything from payments to catering, coaches, a DJ if required, even exhibition matches.”
BY3 Events is geared to work in throughout the UK and Europe with clubs, companies and individuals, taking the hassle out of organising tournaments, social events, corporate days/trips, padel holidays and experiences (Rafa hosted VIP trips to the Hexagon Cup, combining coaching for guests with player meet-and-greets and wrap-around hospitality).
“As part of BY3 we also collaborated with Advantage at the Hexagon Cup on operational needs for the team, which is co-owned by Andy Murray, Anthony Joshua, Arran Yentob and Dani Vallverdu. Together we will be looking to do more things here in the UK and beyond,” he added.
A spokesman for Team Advantage said: ‘It has been a real pleasure working with BY3 – true partners, operating professionally and with a great sense of fun.”
Already in planning is a UK series of padel tournaments geared towards amateur players and including the all-important socialising afterwards, as Rafa explained. “Using all the tools targeting the more professional side of padel I believe we can make amateur players feel like pros, that is kind of my goal. We want people who come to our tournaments to have an experience, so it’s not just playing a match, you win or you lose and then you go home. I want everyone to have a good experience. They have fun, play a lot of matches, socialise, have paella, have a beer, we do a World Cup for the finalists, have Champagne for the winners and activities off court for everyone to enjoy, that’s kind of the idea.
“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do, sport events. Padel is growing, there are more opportunities, more clubs, so it’s quite exciting,” he added. 🎾
