Padel Power

John Challinor, Publisher

While news headlines have been dominated by the political plans and ambitions of a new government, you might also have noticed that the UK has gone crazy for padel. With new courts and clubs opening or being planned in just about every city and major town (and many smaller ones too), the sport is set to make a profound difference to the UK’s sporting landscape.

Part of the reason for the success of the game is how easy it is to pick up and enjoy, with many people seeing their skills develop quite quickly. Apps, padel-specific websites and in-club competitions make it easy for players to get games, either with friends or fellow players of a comparable level. And, at the moment, there is more than enough demand to ensure high levels of court occupancy and provide operators with a healthy level of return.

As the sport continues this rapid expansion, there will no doubt be winners and losers in what will fast become a very competitive market. Whether as standalone operations or added to an existing facility – whether as part of a multi-sport offering, a health club or even a corporate facility – it will be the best run clubs that create a community and a welcoming, fun environment, that will go on to succeed. LTA, as the National Governing Body for padel, recently produced its strategy for growing the game (see page 50) and has backed this up and signalled its confidence in the sport with significant investment in its own centre in Nottingham.

As part of the work to ensure a high level of facility standards, SAPCA has worked with LTA to produce a code of practice to help guide anyone looking to build courts and invest in the sport.

All this, together with advice, guidance, market research and expert opinions will be in The Padel Book that we are producing at the end of the year in partnership with SAPCA and LTA.

It’s in all our interests to see padel succeed, with quality padel developments adding to the diverse physical activity offering and making movement fun and accessible. Let’s make it happen.

John Challinor, Publisher

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