Ramat Gan’s Nova Tribe expands sports activities with padel for survivors

In Ramat Gan, the Nova Tribe Community Association is demonstrating the profound healing power of sports by expanding its offerings to include padel, a rapidly growing racket sport. This initiative is specifically designed to support survivors of the Nova community and bereaved families, providing them with a vital space for connection, fitness, and recovery. As padel gains international recognition, including its inclusion in the 2027 European Games, Nova Tribe is tapping into this momentum to further its mission of community building and support.

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We are working to create empowering spaces for the survivors and bereaved families that allow a return to routine alongside strengthening the community.

The association, already successful with programs in soccer, basketball, tennis, and table tennis, responded to growing demand by piloting a padel group. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with participation exceeding expectations from the outset. Padel, a dynamic sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, is known for its accessibility and social nature, making it an ideal fit for fostering a sense of community and shared experience among those who have endured immense trauma.

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The expansion of the sports department and the addition of padel express the healing power of physical activity and shared action.

Operating on courts built by the Ramat Gan Municipality, the program is already engaging around 20 regular players, with numbers steadily increasing. Riff Peretz, CEO of the Nova Tribe Community Association, emphasized the goal of creating "empowering spaces" that facilitate a return to routine while strengthening the community. This expansion underscores the belief that physical activity and shared action are crucial components of healing. The association also harbors aspirations of nurturing future elite athletes from the community, viewing it not just as a sporting goal but as a powerful statement of resilience and the capacity for growth and achievement in the face of adversity.

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We aspire that in the future, a padel player from our community will reach the Olympics and represent us with pride.