Craig McBride
Your go-to PadelMBA-certified coach in Edinburgh, bringing a slice of Spanish padel passion to Scotland for all levels!
About
If you're looking to dive into the exciting world of padel here in Edinburgh, you absolutely have to connect with Craig McBride! This local legend is not only a certified PadelMBA coach but also practically a padel pioneer, having been involved since one of Scotland's first courts opened in 2016. He even spent half of 2023 immersing himself in the Spanish padel scene in Malaga, so he brings an incredibly authentic vibe to his coaching. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your smash, Craig's personalized, fun, and engaging sessions, available at spots like Hatton, David Lloyd Shawfair, and Game4Padel locations, will have you hooked. Plus, he's big on the social side of the game, so it's a fantastic way to meet people!
Coach
Craig McBride is an Edinburgh native and a certified Padel Coach, accredited by PadelMBA. He completed the LTA padel coaching course and spent time in Malaga to learn about Spanish padel culture and coaching. He is passionate about introducing padel to new players of all levels and athletic backgrounds, offering personalized, fun, and engaging coaching sessions.
Padel
Padel coaching sessions are available at multiple locations including Hatton Sports Club, David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair, Game4Padel Edinburgh Park, and Game4Padel Colinton (Thistle Padel & Tennis Club). The Golf It! in Glasgow also features padel courts.
Full Bio
Craig McBride is an Edinburgh native and a GetInPadel Coach, accredited by PadelMBA. He began playing padel in 2016 when Hatton Sports Club installed one of Scotland's first courts. In 2022, he completed the inaugural LTA padel coaching course in Scotland, which highlighted the sport's growth potential to him. This prompted him to dedicate the first half of 2023 to learning padel in Malaga, Spain, a significant hub for the sport. There, he immersed himself in Spanish padel culture and coaching, trained and played with high-level players, and earned a Certified Padel Coach qualification from PadelMBA. Upon his return to Scotland, he started offering group and individual coaching sessions at Hatton Sports Club, David Lloyd Edinburgh Shawfair, and Game4Padel locations at Thistle Padel in Colinton and Edinburgh Park. Craig caters to players of all skill levels and athletic backgrounds. He is particularly enthusiastic about introducing new players to padel, even those new to sports in general, due to the game's accessibility, beginner-friendly nature, and strong emphasis on social interaction. In August 2023, he organized the 6th annual Padethon charity event at Hatton Sports Club, which brought dozens of new participants to padel and successfully raised over £6,000 for Alzheimer's Scotland. His coaching approach includes imparting expert knowledge of padel, covering both basic and advanced techniques, as he has played the sport for many years. He provides personalized coaching to develop individual skills and game plans, helping players identify and improve their strengths and weaknesses. Craig is noted for his fun and engaging communication style, ensuring his coaching sessions are motivating. Beyond coaching, he organizes padel events and tournaments, with the annual charity Padel Marathon (Padethon) at Hatton being a yearly highlight. Prior to his padel career, Craig lived in Vietnam for four years, where he taught English. He aspired to transition into sports and outdoor education, finding padel to be a perfect fit. He grew up playing tennis and football and also enjoys running and cycling. He first discovered padel in 2017 at Thistle Padel Club in Edinburgh. His mission is to bring Spanish padel culture to Scotland, even planning to incorporate Spanish language sessions for an authentic experience. He enjoys competitive play, having achieved success in the G4P Championships with his brother Rory, but also emphasizes that competition is not essential for enjoying padel. He is motivated by the social, mental, and physical benefits of the sport. He is also the new Head Padel Coach at Golf It! Glasgow, aiming to build a vibrant padel community there. He is planning a cycling trip to Germany with friends to watch Scotland in the Euros. He can be contacted by telephone at +447907378199 or email at craig@getinpadel.com.