Harpenden Sports Forum

 

7.40pm - 8.00pm: Alex March, Founder, Padel Pass

Alex is one of the founders of Padel Pass, a Harpenden-based padel operator with venues in Harpenden and Luton. Alex oversees sales, marketing and operations at Padel Pass. Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country but remains in its infancy locally. Alex is focussed on building a connected, sustainable future for the sport of padel in the region and collaboration with existing sports clubs and operators is an important part of that focus.  

 

8.00pm - 8.20pm: Chris Ellins, Director, Harpenden District Indoor Bowling Club

Chris Ellins is Director of Harpenden District Indoor Bowls Club Limited and Chair of the Hertfordshire Indoor Bowls Association (HIBA). He has been particularly active in making bowls more accessible to people with visual impairments. In 2025, HDIBC hosted a disability workshop with Visually Impaired Bowls England (VIBE), and HDIBC subsequently became the Hertfordshire VIBE Hub.

 

8.20pm - 8.40pm: Tom McManus, Club and Coach Development, Herts Sports Partnership

Tom brings over 20 years of high‑performance sport experience across Olympic and Paralympic pathways. A strategic and values‑driven leader, Tom is known for his “Person First, Performer Second” philosophy, ensuring that athletes, volunteers and clubs grow in a supportive, people‑centered environment. Tom has coached and developed athletes to success on the world stage, supporting multiple Paralympic medal winners across five Games and guiding junior and senior athletes into GB and international programmes. His experience includes roles as National Technical Lead for Open Water, Director of Swimming, Performance Consultant, and creator of national coach‑development frameworks.

 

8.40pm - 9.00pm: Q&A and close