Mirfield-based brand and marketing agency The Bigger Boat is hosting a new networking concept at Padel Shed in Huddersfield.
The Bigger Boat will sponsor Court 9 at Padel Shed and will host a sports-based networking event called ‘Get to the net.’
Padel – a fun racket sport that combines the best of tennis and squash – is one of the UK’s fastest growing sports.
According to data from online racket-sports booking platform, Playtomic – which supports an estimated 80% of UK padel clubs – the number of players booking courts rose by 125% across 2025.
The sponsorship deal with Padel Shed – which recently received a £1.3 million investment – will see Court 9 feature The Bigger Boat branding, with the agency’s name visible across wider areas of the facility.
It will also provide the agency with a high-energy, community-driven backdrop via exclusive access to the members’ lounge – offering a distinctive setting for business discussions away from a conventional office environment.
Alongside the deal, The Bigger Boat is excited to launch Get to the net – a new networking brand built on a simple premise: that genuine connections form more easily when people feel relaxed and are doing something they enjoy.
Rather than relying on rigid introductions or crowded conference rooms, Get to the net will bring business professionals together through padel – a sport that naturally encourages conversation, collaboration and a healthy dose of competition.
Events will combine time on court with coffee mornings, evening sessions and other creative formats as the concept evolves.
Doug Main, creative director at Mirfield-based The Bigger Boat and an avid padel enthusiast, said: “With Get to the net, we’re rethinking how business relationships are built.
“Traditional networking can feel structured and forced, whereas shared experiences create more natural, lasting relationships.
“Padel lends itself perfectly to this – it is social, fast paced and brings people together quickly.
“For us, this is about building a community around a more modern, human approach to networking, and creating opportunities for meaningful connections that last beyond the court.”
The first Get to the net session will take place on Thursday April 30 at Padel Shed, with future events planned for the last Thursday of every month.
The initiative is open to all – from seasoned players to those who have never set foot on a court. More information can be found on the Get to the net website and places can be booked for the first event via Eventbrite.
