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Apr 2022

Last Updated: 01/04/2022

The sport 'anyone can play' that has exploded across the Harrogate district

by Vicky Carr

| 02 Apr, 2022

A mashup of tennis and squash that originated in Mexico, padel has been described as one of the world’s fastest growing sports and is taking the Harrogate district by storm.

A mashup of tennis and squash that originated in Mexico, padel has been described as one of the world’s fastest growing sports.

It is played between four players on reduced-size tennis courts. Competitors use paddle racquets and can bounce the ball off walls.

Since November 2020, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has been the national governing body for the sport when it was officially recognised as a discipline of tennis. This has opened the door for greater recognition, support and funding.

Admittedly, I had never even heard it until around a year ago and since then, it seems to have exploded across the Harrogate district.

Ahead of the curve

Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre, on Hookstone Wood Road, was ahead of the curve, launching its first outdoor padel court in 2019, followed by a second glass-enclosed court in 2021 due to popular demand.

The only courts of their kind in the region, they saw people travel from Hull, Liverpool and Manchester to play.

The club's manager James Gaston said:

"It has grown in popularity very quickly and we have approximately 250 padel players.

"It is popular because it is very easy to play compared to tennis and it is great fun as doubles and close together on the court.

"It's a great game and everyone should try it."

Then in January Surge Padel, the largest indoor padel tennis centre in the UK with six courts, opened its doors at Hornbeam Park. The International Padel Federation is already considering it as the potential host of its European Championships.

Plans for eight new centres

CEO Stuart Perrin said it had already proved to be so successful in Harrogate, he was now planning to launch minimum of eight additional centres in the UK this year.

Speaking about why he chose Harrogate to locate his first padel centre, he said:

"There are two reasons really.

"Firstly, I'm a local resident and know the local health and fitness market well. Operating in the town with success previously meant I had a path once trodden that could be replicated and improved on.

"Secondly, the demographics of Harrogate really lend themselves to those of racket sports, giving us a head start on the education piece, with padel being a relatively new sport to the UK.

"It has exceeded all expectations so far with no signs of stopping any time soon."

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The new sport taking the Harrogate district by storm

Mr Perrin said the club currently had more than 820 members, with half of those using it on a weekly basis.

He added:

"We anticipate this number to grow to north of 1,000 members by the end of June.

"I think it has been so popular as we have delivered the UK's largest premium indoor padel tennis centre and we are unaffected by the weather.

"Being underpinned by a brand like Coach and associated with Adidas has also cemented us as the market leader within the sector very quickly."

Next month, two new padel tennis courts will launch at Ripon Tennis Centre following a successful crowdfunding campaign, which saw more than £30,500 raised in 28 days thanks to the support of residents and businesses.

Membership boost

The project was put forward to help boost the club's membership in the wake of the pandemic and will see the new courts, plus canopies and flood lighting, built at the centre on Park Lane.

Additional funding has also been provided by Sport England alongside a loan from the LTA.

Carol Tetlow, the club's honorary secretary, said:

"It's all very exciting and we can't wait to get playing.

"Fingers crossed, our courts should be up and ready for play by the end of April. There will be two courts, one with a roof, guaranteeing all year round play.

"Covid-19 took its toll on Ripon tennis club, like many other sporting venues, and we saw membership numbers drop by a fifth and also lost a lot of income.

"Our centre manager, Diane Hutchinson came up with the great idea of not simply trying to recoup our losses but seize this opportunity to expand the centre with a new venture - padel tennis."

Ms Tetlow put the sport's rapid growth and popularity down to it being easy to play and therefore accessible for all ages and abilities.

A game for everyone

She said:

"Even beginners can go on court and enjoy a game, unlike some sports where techniques have to be acquired and learned.

"The less mobile players who find it difficult to get around a tennis court can have challenging games.

"At the other end of the scale, highly experienced players can amaze spectators with their agility and skill."

Ms Tatlow said the club had recently taken on a new coach, Christopher Stanford, who will coach padel, as well as tennis.

She added:

"We've had lots of enquiries as the word has spread and as a result of our crowdfunding campaign. Membership is growing again and I'm sure padel is one of the reasons for this.

"With the nearest courts in Harrogate and Middlesbrough, Ripon has to be the ideal place for more courts."

'Really social'

Stuart Jones, from Harrogate, has been playing padel for two years after picking up the sport while on holiday in Spain, which has more than 20,000 padel courts. Behind football it is the country's second-most-popular sport.

He said:

"I really enjoy the competitive nature of the game, the fact it's doubles and really social.

"I started to play at the courts at Harrogate Sports and Fitness Centre and now also play at Surge, where they also have coaching for adults, as well as juniors, which is perfect for me as my eldest son also enjoys the game."

Here are ten facts you might not know about padel tennis, from the LTA:

Lionel Messi has a padel court in his garden

Padel was invented in Mexico in the 1960s

It is played in doubles

Padel rules are similar to tennis – but you serve underarm

Jamie Murray has played in a professional padel tournament

Padel balls are smaller than tennis balls

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp plays the game to discuss ideas with his coaches

There are more than 6,000 padel players in the UK

It may not be an Olympic sport yet but campaigns are underway to make it one