Padel for All

Dan Robinson on a life shaped by sport, the Burgau community and the game that became his therapy.

Born in Lagos to English parents, Dan Robinson grew up at the Burgau Sports Centre, where sport was woven into everyday life. Football, tennis, coaching and golf all shaped him, but padel — discovered almost by chance — became his passion. Today he runs the Padel Academy at BSC, plays for CTPP in Portimão and has trained with the Portuguese Padel Federation’s National Veterans Team.

You grew up at the Burgau Sports Centre. What was that like?

I did any sport that was available: tennis, football, squash, field hockey, basketball and volleyball. Sport was simply part of everyday life.

When did football take over?

In my teenage years I played for the Esperança de Lagos Academy and was offered trials at Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic. Later, while working at Boavista Golf Resort, I played for the Esperança de Lagos senior team. In my mid-twenties, I coached at the John Aldridge Soccer School while playing for the Clube Desportivo de Odiaxere senior team.

How did coaching become your real journey?

I felt I should be involved in sport and coaching, so I returned to tennis at Burgau Sports Centre. Beginners’ groups grew into social doubles groups. I also set up a football academy that, at one point, trained around 60 children aged 4 to 16, and I started the BSC Golf Society.

How did padel come into your life?

After my daughter Sofia was born, I stopped playing football at 31 or 32. I wanted something more active than golf, and John Hill invited me to play at Ocean Club. That’s when the addiction began. Once a week became two and then three times. Daniel Eriksson became my partner; we entered tournaments and quickly became known on the Algarve padel scene.

“Padel went from being a game to becoming real-life therapy.”

Why did you establish the Padel Academy at BSC in 2023?

I saw padel growing locally and wanted to coach the people I had coached in other sports. It is easier than tennis and fun to play. It completely revamped our club and gave it a new lease of life.

What changed when you joined CTPP in 2024?

It was the turning point in my padel career. I trained with more experienced players at a higher level, competed in both Absolutos and Veteranos, and travelled around Portugal representing my club and myself.

And 2026?

I was called up to my first training camp with the Portuguese Padel Federation National Veterans Team and reached number 4 in Portugal’s national vets ranking, out of close to 1,500 players.

What does padel mean to you now?

Padel went from being a game to becoming real-life therapy. In bringing it to Burgau Sports Centre, I have wanted to give back to the sport that helped me so much – increasing the number of players and raising their level. In 2026, I truly believe I am achieving that goal.