Bullpadel and Athletica Vaticana together for a more fraternal, inclusive

Bullpadel and Athletica Vaticana join forces to promote a more fraternal, inclusive and supportive style of sport through the experience of playing padel. The prestigious Spanish brand will supply all the sporting equipment to Vatican Padel, the Vatican federation set up within Athletica Vaticana and recognised since April 2022 by the International Padel Federation. Thus also supporting concrete solidarity projects through the sporting experience.

The spark for the collaboration was lit in April 2023, with an initiative in support of the 500 poor families, with young children, who receive assistance from the Vatican's "Santa Marta" Dispensary Foundation. For the initiative, Pope Francis signed a paddle, which Bullpadel then auctioned to raise funds for the Vatican Dispensary. Presenting the racket to Francis was Argentinean champion Delfina Brea, who was baptised in Buenos Aires by then Archbishop Bergoglio, in the church of San José, in Barrio Flores where both were born and raised.

The sporting embrace between Bullpadel and Athletica Vaticana - already a technical partner of the International Padel Federation presided by Luigi Carraro - testifies to the common commitment to relaunch, even on the padel courts, the most authentic values of the sport that today represents the most widespread cultural experience.

Statement by Athletica Vaticana:

In a time of wars the hope is that the sporting experience - in its fraternal, solidary, inclusive and spiritual vision - can find new paths of dialogue to build opportunities for peace, with a common language that padel naturally expresses. This is the sense of Athletica Vaticana's numerous initiatives, in keeping with Pope Francis' indications. With Bullpadel, Athletica Vaticana immediately found teammates with the International Padel Federation.

Statement by Luigi Carraro, President of the International Padel Federation: 

When, with Athletica Vaticana and Bullpadel, the International Padel Federation enthusiastically collaborated on the initiative in favour of needy families through the auction of the paddle signed by Pope Francis, the sense of accomplishment of the sport that I represent reached an otherwise unattainable level, reminding us that the primary objective is to promote fairness, friendship, solidarity and inclusion by improving people through the practice of sport and the social relations that result from it. And we can only be happy to continue, alongside Athletica Vaticana and Bullpadel, in our common commitment to spreading the highest values of sport at a social, solidary and cultural level.

Statement by Alfredo Peñalver, CEO of Bullpadel:

The collaboration with Athletica Vaticana and the International Padel Federation began last year with the solidarity project of the 'paddle' signed by Pope Francis created to support families with children assisted by the Vatican paediatric dispensary, Santa Marta. It is an honour for us to continue this sporting friendship and to participate in challenges that promote inclusion, support and care for others. The commitment of the International Federation and Athletica Vaticana in this regard is and always will be our commitment.

Photos Bullpadel jersey © Stefano Costantino @stenocostantino

Photo team Athletica Vaticana / Vatican Padel © Massimo Valicchia @massimo_valicchia

Photo Luigi Carraro, Athletica Vaticana © Athletica Vaticana Press Office - Francesco Servadei

Photo friendly match Vatican Padel - San Marino © Simone Lombi @simone_lombi_photographer