'You'll see padel at a different level'
Roel Rahangmetan (36), a passionate padel enthusiast from Maastricht, combines his passion for the sport with his role as a career coach at the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency). "You'll see padel from a different perspective, which will give you a better understanding of the sport and the game. That's what you need to be successful as a padel instructor."
Coaching and helping people grow is what drives Roel. “I've always had coaching roles at work and I'm also a real sports fanatic. When I discovered padel, it was a natural progression for me to start teaching. It's a growing sport, and when I first started, I learned a lot from others. Meanwhile, I've progressed to a higher level and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. You can sense that people want to improve and are passionate about it. To further develop in my role as a padel instructor, I think it's important to get my license. That's why I started the course at Summa.”
A new look at padel
Roel is enthusiastic about the progress he's making. "There's a lot of theory involved, especially self-study because you're mostly on the court during the lessons. The theory covers the structure of your lessons extensively, which means my lessons are better structured and I prepare them more consciously. You see padel at a different level, which gives you a better understanding of the sport and the game. That's necessary for achieving success as a padel instructor. You mainly do the theory at home, but it's central to the lessons on the court, where you apply it in practice." Roel is learning a lot from the group he's in. "We're all passionate and truly learn together. You teach each other and give each other feedback, and I take that with me into my work as a padel instructor."
Professionalization in practice
According to Roel, theory aligns well with practice. “The lesson structure and season plan, the use of resources during lessons, and the communication style have professionalized me as a teacher. The most important thing I've learned? The methods for transferring knowledge, which are also frequently covered in the lessons. You learn how to tailor lessons and assignments to each player's level. This way, I know I can be more flexible in my lessons, and I've now learned the tools and methods to do so. You also learn to analyze even better, and I now recognize the tactical and technical aspects of the sport.”
From beginner to expert
I'd been teaching for a while when I started the course, and I'm certain beginners can get even more out of it. The instructors are enthusiastic and have high expectations. They want you to get the most out of the course, motivate you, and expect a certain level of skill. You're given specific structures that help you quickly improve your skills. Thanks to the course, you can make great strides as a padel instructor.