Coach Profile
Full name
Matt Phelan
Known as
MJP Padel Coaching
Qualification
BPCA Level 3 Pro Coach
Location
East of England
Favourite shot
Vibora
Meet Matt
Sport has always been at the heart of Matt’s life. Before discovering padel, he spent many years playing semi-professional football while building a rewarding career as a PE teacher, helping young people develop confidence, skills and a lifelong love of sport.
Since finding padel, his passion for the game has grown rapidly. He has had the privilege of representing his county and has travelled to Valencia, Spain, to train and learn from experienced coaches, gaining valuable insight into the Spanish approach to player development.
Today, his greatest passion is coaching. Matt loves helping players of all ages and abilities improve their game — whether they are picking up a racket for the first time or striving to reach the next level.
Seeing players develop both their skills and confidence is what drives him every day.
Coaching Locations
Matt Coaches at:
Net Padel, Bedfordshire — Padel Coach
Website: www.netpadel.co.uk/
Coaching Philosophy
Matt’s coaching philosophy is built on learning through experience. Training in Spain allowed him to feel exactly what great coaches were asking him to do, rather than simply being told. Experiencing the techniques and movements first-hand gave him a much deeper understanding — and that is the approach he brings to every session..
“I believe players learn best when they trust their coach and understand the purpose behind every exercise. By creating that connection, players gain confidence in the coaching process and are far more likely to believe in both themselves and the methodology.”
Technically, Matt encourages players to master control, consistency and decision-making before focusing on power. Building strong foundations creates better long-term players and allows them to play with confidence under pressure.
Most importantly, every session should be enjoyable. Regardless of age or ability, learning should be fun, engaging and rewarding. When people genuinely enjoy playing sport, they become more motivated, more confident and ultimately learn more.
Growing Women's Padel
Community is an important part of Ellie’s work, particularly supporting the growth of women’s padel. She is passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces for female players, including women-only groups where players can connect and encourage one another.
As Female Head Coach at The Padel Republic in Wallasey, Ellie is actively building the kind of environment she believes every padel venue should offer — one where women at every level feel genuinely welcomed and supported rather than an afterthought.
What's Next
Matt’s ambition is to play a leading role in developing the padel player pathway across the UK while helping grow the next generation of players.
A key focus is increasing junior participation and giving more people across Bedfordshire the opportunity to discover and enjoy the sport. By creating accessible, high-quality coaching experiences, he hopes to inspire more players to fall in love with padel.
Matt is also committed to continuing the growth of the community at NET Padel — working to set the benchmark for coaching, player development and club culture, making NET Padel a recognised standard-setter within Bedfordshire and beyond.
Connect with Matt
- Instagram: @mjp_padel
- Coaching at:
- NET Padel, Bedfordshire