Namethatball... Where it all began.
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From Court to Creativity: The Story Behind namethatball 🎾✨
Hello! Im Chloe Hughes the founder of Namethatball, If you'd told me years ago that one day I’d be running a business putting names, logos, and even photos on tennis balls, I might have laughed mid-backhand. But here we are—and namethatball is now not just a business, but a brand that reflects my journey through the sport I’ve loved all my life.
My Tennis Roots
Tennis has always been part of my identity. I grew up on the court, training, competing, and eventually coaching. I’ve had the privilege of playing at a high level, representing my county, and working with players who are now on national and regional pathways. I understand the mental strength, discipline, and love for the game that players of all ages carry with them—and that passion is what keeps me coming back.
Coaching has been especially close to my heart. I’ve supported talented players through their early tennis journeys, cheered from the sidelines, followed their progress obsessively (in the best way), and done my best to be a positive role model. That personal connection with players and families helped spark the idea for something more.
Where It All Began: namethatball
The idea for namethatball was born out of a simple thought: what if a tennis ball could be more personal? Not just another ball in the hopper or another gift from the pro shop—but something that really meant something.
I started experimenting with printing names on balls for my players. It was a hit. Whether it was a confidence boost for a young competitor or a unique way to say “well done,” the response was amazing. Soon, it grew into printing logos, messages, photos—and eventually became a go-to option for businesses wanting to make a lasting impression in a fresh and creative way.
We now use ITF-quality tennis balls, and everything is done with care to ensure it looks great and lasts. Whether you're a coach ordering for your team, a club planning an event, or a business looking to promote your brand in a fun, sporty way, we bring that extra bit of joy and individuality to the court.
A New Chapter: Padel
As padel continues to explode in popularity across the UK and beyond, we’re excited to bring our personalised touch into this vibrant, social sport. With its fun, fast-paced format and community spirit, padel is the perfect match for what namethatball is all about—bringing people together through sport and celebrating the fun side of competition.
We now offer high-quality personalised padel balls too—perfect for events, clubs, and brands wanting to stand out in this fast-growing space. It’s not just about the ball itself; it’s about creating moments, starting conversations, and building connection on and off the court.
What namethatball Stands For
This business is about more than just tennis (or padel) balls. It's about identity, pride, fun, and celebration. It’s for the kids whose eyes light up when they see their name printed in bold, for the clubs who want to stand out, and for brands who want to get noticed in a way that’s truly unique.
Personalised balls are more than just a novelty—they’re a way to build community, spark joy, and add that personal touch that makes sport feel even more special.
And it's still grounded in the values I picked up from tennis: hard work, attention to detail, and doing something with heart.
Whether you're a lifelong player, new to padel, or just love the creativity of custom sports gear, namethatball is here to serve up something a little different. Thanks for being part of the journey—and here’s to many more rallies, returns, and personalised sporting moments.
Explore the range or get in touch at namethatball.co.uk—I’d love to hear your ideas.