About
We connect people through padel and pickleball: learn, compete and belong at the Park.
Born and bred in the Waikato
We're Campbell and Nic, mates since Hamilton Boys' High. Padel Park started the way good ideas often do: at a New Year catch-up, someone asked "Have you played padel before?", and we couldn't stop talking about it.
What followed was a slow-burn build, with late nights and plenty of learning, backed by what we each know: Campbell's engineering and leadership at BCD Group, and Nic's years as a professional hockey player and portfolio manager.
When it came to building the courts, we called in a mix of mates, from high-school friends to hockey teammates, to move glass and set everything up. One of them, Hamish Cameron, never really left.
The Park opened in November 2025. It's our way of bringing back the club feel Hamilton's been missing: league nights, open courts, good music and viewing platforms where you can watch a game and meet your next doubles partner. We keep shaping it with your feedback, so it always feels like your home court.
What we stand for
Community at the heart of it
Whether you're brand new or chasing league nights, the Park is where you play, learn and connect. From intro classes to Open Matches and a yarn afterwards, the club is built for belonging.
Nobody priced out
We're doing our absolute best to keep prices as low as we can for an indoor venue, and we'll keep working at it. Your first intro is free, gear included, and students and over-60s get 50% off off-peak court bookings.
Honest advice
Try any racket before you buy it, and we'll always tell you an hour of coaching does more for your game than an expensive racket.
Meet the team
Nic Woods
Director
Co-founder of the Park, with Campbell. Mates since Hamilton Boys’ High, Nic spent years as a professional hockey player and a portfolio manager before the New Year question that started it all: “Have you played padel before?”
- Certified Padel Coach (PadelMBA)
- Pickleball Instructor Level 1 (Pickleball Coaching International)
Campbell Dawson
Director
Co-founder of the Park, with Nic. Campbell brings his engineering and leadership background from BCD Group to building the club Hamilton’s been missing.
- Pickleball Instructor Level 1 (Pickleball Coaching International)
Ben Van Tonder
Head Coach
The Park’s head coach. A former competitive tennis and squash player, Ben took up padel four years ago and now competes at 5.0 on Playtomic and 5.3 on MatchPoint, including a runner-up finish and then a win at the Bay Padel Open in South Africa. His psychology degree shapes how he coaches confidence and decisions under pressure.
- Padel MBA coaching qualification (practical and theoretical)
- BA Psychology, University of Cape Town
- Padel level 5.0 (Playtomic), 5.3 (MatchPoint)
Hamish Cameron
Lead Events Coordinator
Originally from Taupō, Hamish was one of the mates who helped move glass and build the courts, and he’s been part of the team ever since. Newer to padel (Nic introduced him to it) but with a strong hockey background, he keeps the Park running smoothly and the vibe high: helping players get set up, chatting about events, and always up for a yarn.
- Intro and First Serve coach (padel and pickleball)
Jethro Heasley
Assistant Events Coordinator
- Intro and First Serve coach (padel and pickleball)
Come and meet us
82 Duke Street, Frankton, Hamilton. Staffed weekdays 5–10pm and weekends 10am–3pm, and open 24/7 through the app.
