For Bill Stamile of Calgary, the word "passionate" barely scratches the surface. Over more than thirty years, his intensive, ardent dedication has been the driving force behind establishing the fast-growing sport of padel tennis not just in his city, but across the nation and on the world stage.
From Buenos Aires to Calgary: The Genesis of a Passion
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Stamile moved with his family to Calgary in 1965. His journey with padel began years later during a family holiday back to Argentina in the early 1990s. While on that trip in 1992, he first witnessed and tried the sport, quickly becoming enamored with its unique blend of tennis, squash, and racquetball elements. An athletic individual who had played badminton for Bishop Carroll High School, Stamile's background in racket sports made the transition a natural fit.
Determined to bring the game home, Stamile, alongside his brother Angelo, took action. They identified unused space in the former Firestone building off Barlow Trail, within a wrestling academy, and constructed Calgary's very first padel tennis court. This DIY effort marked the humble beginnings of the sport in Western Canada.
Building a Legacy: Courts, Federations, and International Recognition
The sport's local journey faced hurdles. When the initial space was reclaimed, padel activity paused until local tennis standouts Robin Spiers and Steve Shannon suggested using outdoor asphalt at the Edgemont Club. This led to the opening of a popular outdoor court in 1995.
Another setback came in 2001 when the Edgemont Club was sold and the court was removed for parking. Unwavering, Stamile negotiated with the Calgary Board of Education and community, resulting in new outdoor courts opening at A. E. Cross Junior High School in 2003.
Stamile's vision extended far beyond Calgary. While building a career as a stockbroker after 1997, he tirelessly worked to grow padel's infrastructure. He played an instrumental role in founding provincial associations and clubs in Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. His most significant national achievement was securing Canada's entry as the seventh official member nation of the International Padel Federation (IPF).
A Lasting Impact on the Global Stage
Bill Stamile's contributions are measured in both bricks and mortar and competitive spirit. His multifaceted involvement as a player, coach, federation leader, consultant, and facility developer is unparalleled in Canadian padel. He represented Canada twice at the world championships and served as chef de mission for the team on two occasions—in Mexico City and notably in Calgary in 2008, where he chaired the event, mobilized 160 volunteers, and hosted 220 athletes from 16 countries.
Today, recognized globally as one of padel's most influential pioneers, Stamile's three-decade journey from a curious observer on an Argentine holiday to a foundational figure in international sport stands as a testament to a genuine passion that built a sporting community from the ground up.
