JAW Serves Up Sporty Networking With A Twist At ASCARO Padel & Social Club

By Lara Kramer  •  15 Jul 2025 in Events

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After a long day of deadlines, meetings and back-to-back emails, most of us crave something more refreshing than yet another drink at a rooftop bar. Something that actually gets the blood flowing, clears the mind and still makes space for meeting new people who get it.

That’s what drew me to “All White Athleisure,” an event by Just After Work (JAW) held at ASCARO Padel & Social Club in 1 Utama. Instead of polite small talk in stiff clothes, about 80 of us showed up in sporty whites, ready to sweat a little and maybe embarrass ourselves on the court.

Padel, as it turns out, is a lot more interesting than it first looks. Somewhere between tennis and squash, the game relies heavily on quick reactions, teamwork and a fair bit of banter to keep the energy up. We had coaches from ASCARO showing us the ropes and explaining why communication is everything when you’re trying not to miss a bouncing ball that can ricochet off glass walls at any moment.

What struck me was how quickly the atmosphere shifted. People who might normally be glued to their phones at a work event were suddenly laughing at missed shots, high-fiving complete strangers and giving real-time pep talks to teammates they’d just met. It felt less like networking and more like a casual hangout where everyone happened to be wearing matching outfits.

When we finally took a break, there was food and drinks from Paloma By Ascaro waiting, along with a DJ set by DJ Wheezy that kept the vibe upbeat. Instead of those awkward moments where you’re stuck figuring out what to say, the game itself had already done the introductions for us. By the time we sat down, conversations felt easier and the walls had already come down.

JAW kept things playful with awards that fit the mood of the night. There was “The Connector” for whoever made the most new contacts, “The Visionary” for the most compelling business story, plus shoutouts to the Player of the Match and the team with the Best Team Chemistry.

Chatting with some of the organisers and ASCARO’s team, it became clear that this isn’t just about sport for sport’s sake. Padel is built around doubles, which means you can’t win without talking, planning and backing each other up. It’s a perfect icebreaker when you’re meeting people outside your usual circle.

One of ASCARO’s directors, Deserie Martinez, shared how even as a tennis player she found padel surprisingly challenging because of how much trust and communication it demands. Since launching in Malaysia, ASCARO has seen padel’s popularity double, with plans to open another club at TREC Kuala Lumpur soon and new locations coming in Cambodia and Jakarta.

JAW’s co-founder Jude Ashvin says he started playing padel recently himself and noticed it makes business conversations feel less forced. After a day behind screens and in meetings, running around on court helps loosen people up so they can actually connect.

Walking away at the end of the night, sweaty and a bit sore, it felt obvious why this worked. It wasn’t the drinks, the setting or even the sport on its own, but the way it all came together to remind us that the best conversations often start once you stop trying so hard to have them. Sometimes, you really do need to step onto a court, miss a few shots and laugh about it first.

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