Anthony Daulphin, a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Birmingham now based in Liverpool, has launched the first British Padel Awards to celebrate the sport's growth in the UK. The black-tie gala will occur on May 16, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool, hosting 400 guests and nominees. Daulphin aims to recognize contributors from professionals to grassroots participants.
The British Padel Awards emerged from Daulphin's passion for padel, a sport he discovered during a family holiday in Rhodes. Upon returning, he began playing at Liverpool Cricket Club, organizing local tournaments, and extending his network to Manchester. This enthusiasm led him to establish a padel apparel brand called Rêve Le, and eventually, the idea for a dedicated awards event took shape as the sport rapidly expanded in Britain without a specific platform for recognition. Although the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) added male and female padel player categories to its tennis awards in 2023, Daulphin saw a need for a standalone ceremony focused solely on padel. The event features 21 categories and an array of sponsors, designed to highlight achievements across the community. Daulphin, whose professional background includes teaching street dance, coordinating school choirs, and serving as a pastoral manager in education, founded Standing Ovation Project. This company leverages creative arts and support services to boost young people's self-esteem and behavior, operating in more than 50 UK towns and cities while earning several accolades. Reflecting on the launch, Daulphin admitted initial uncertainty: “I didn’t know what the reception was going to be like. I thought people would be asking, ‘Who’s this guy? Where has he come from?’ And they did! But when your mind is set on some kind of aspiration, you’ve just got to push forward and make it happen.” He emphasized inclusivity in the awards: “For me, this is all about shining a light on people, clubs, coaches and pioneers shaping the sport. Britain has well-known pro players, coaches and iconic padel clubs, but there’s so many more people out there doing things. I’m here to look after the recognised people at the top, but also the people who are just setting off, doing scary but amazing things.” Daulphin's primary goal is to establish the awards as a legitimate platform for the sport, prioritizing brand awareness over profit.