🎾 From Playing to Progress: Why Coaching Is the Next Step in Finland’s Racket Sports Boom

Piers Boden
Oct 25
4 min read

by Piers Boden, CEO & Head Coach, Boden Racket Sports Oy

Across Finland, courts are full, rackets are swinging, and new players are joining the game every week.But as participation grows, a new question has started to echo around the courts:👉 “How do I actually get better?”

That’s where coaching comes in — and it’s quickly becoming the next major driver of Finland’s racket-sports movement.

1️⃣ The Shift From “Just Playing” to “Playing Better”

In the early days of the padel and tennis boom, it was enough to just get on court and have fun. Now, players want more — better control, stronger rallies, fewer mistakes, and smarter tactics.

Beginners want to skip the frustration stage.
Intermediate players want to hold their own in local leagues and matches against friends.
Even advanced players realise that coaching gives structure, purpose, and faster progress.

At Boden Racket Sports, we’ve seen this shift first-hand through our coaching sessions to over 5000 players over the last 7 years, in various locations across Finland including: Vierumäki, Helsinki, Espoo, Heinola, Lahti & Kotka,

Many players start with one lesson, see immediate results, and soon make coaching a regular part of their sporting life.

2️⃣ Why Coaching Works — Even for Social Players

A common misconception... "I´m never going to be a professional, so i don´t need coaching"

Coaching isn’t just for pros. Some of the biggest improvements come from everyday players who simply want to enjoy the game more.

Here’s why:

Better technique = fewer injuries, longer rallies, more fun.
Game awareness = smarter positioning and strategy.
Confidence = understanding what you’re doing right brings freedom and consistency.

Even a single, well-structured group or private session can completely change how you experience the game.

3️⃣ Coaching Across All Racket Sports

At Boden Racket Sports we coach a full range of sports — padel, tennis, pickleball, badminton, squash, and table tennis. Each has its own rhythm, but our approach is always the same: clear, purposeful, and enjoyable coaching tailored to your goals.

Padel: Teamwork, positioning, and tactical awareness.
Tennis: Foundations, timing, and controlled power.
Pickleball: Quick reactions, precision, and placement.
Badminton: Speed, agility, and anticipation.
Squash: Movement efficiency, consistency, and shot recovery.
Table tennis: Hand-eye precision and tactical shot variation.

Whatever your sport, we focus on helping you understand why a shot works — not just how to hit it.

4️⃣ Where We Currently Coach

🌆 Helsinki – Mailapelikeskus (Puistola) Year-round coaching for all levels across multiple racket sports, from padel and tennis to badminton, squash, and table tennis.

🌹 Espoo – Rosegarden Country Club A premium environment for both beginners and competitive players, with weekly private and group sessions.

🌿 Heinola – Boden Padel Club (outdoors) Our home base during summer — community coaching, outdoor play, and seasonal events.

🏟️ Vierumäki – We’re proud to be the main coaching partner for racket sports at Vierumäki Sports Resort. We’re available for private lessons, workshops, and corporate events on request.

Wherever we coach, our approach stays consistent: professional, clear, and motivating — designed to make every player feel supported and inspired.

(From our recent tennis event in Croatia with a great group of guys -

Yes, we also offer racket sports events abroad, too!)

5️⃣ Group Coaching vs. Individual Lessons

Group coaching

✅ Builds community and match confidence

✅ Lets players learn through shared experiences

✅ Great fun and great value

Individual / Private coaching

🎯 Personalised to your needs

🎯 Fastest route to technical and tactical progress

🎯 Ideal before tournaments or league seasons

Many players combine both — one private lesson for refinement, plus group sessions for repetition, match play and the social side.

6️⃣ Coaching for Juniors — Building the Next Generation

More Finnish families are discovering racket sports early — and coaching provides a fun, structured way for kids to learn, move, and grow. Our junior programs focus on coordination, movement, and enjoyment, helping young players build confidence and a lifelong connection to sport.

Because before performance comes passion — and that’s what keeps players in the game for life.

We start a new junior tennis coaching program at Mailapelikeskus in November.

7️⃣ Coaching as Community

Coaching isn’t just instruction — it’s connection. You meet players, share progress, and feel part of something bigger.

That’s exactly what we are building at Boden Racket Sports — a friendly, ambitious coaching community that helps players improve, compete, and enjoy the sport even more.

🌟 Our Promise: Learning That’s Fun and Rewarding

When you train with us, we make learning fun, motivating, and truly rewarding. That’s why we’re proud to have over 200 five-star reviews from happy players across Finland — and why our growth has been recognised in national media, including Helsingin Sanomat & Iltalehti.

Our focus is simple: to help every player, at every level, enjoy the process of getting better.

🧭 The Takeaway

Finland’s racket-sports boom has evolved from “let’s try this” to “how can I improve and stay in it long-term?”Coaching is the bridge that makes that possible.

Whether you’re just starting or already competing, a few guided sessions can completely transform your performance, confidence, and enjoyment.

💬 Ready to take the next step?

We offer coaching for all levels in:

📍 Helsinki (Mailapelikeskus) | Espoo (Rosegarden) | Heinola | Vierumäki

👉 Learn more or contact us today: www.bodenracketsports.com

See you on court — and this time, let’s focus on progress that lasts.

– Piers Boden

Founder, CEO & Head Coach

Boden Racket Sports Oy

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