Cheltenham-based East Glos Club is investing £250,000 on the construction of three new padel courts at the club. The courts, which are due to be completed in 2021, will be the first of their kind in the south west.
Promising to be suitable for all ages and abilities with simple rules and scoring, padel is similar to tennis but played on a smaller court that also utilises the walls.
Padel has recently been incorporated into the Lawn Tennis Association and is one of the fastest growing sports in the country – with court numbers expected to grow from 82 to 400 by 2023.
East Glos Club Manager, Darren Morris, said: ‘We’re delighted to be at the forefront of the LTA’s ambitious growth programme. We look forward to opening up the game for the local community and schools as well as for our club members. Our three courts will allow us to deliver coaching programmes, competitions, social play and events.’
LTA Head of Padel, Tom Murray, said: ‘We are delighted to work in partnership with East Glos on the installation of three new padel courts to help ‘open tennis up’ to new people.
‘This development introduces both existing and new players alike to this fun and exciting version of tennis. As one of only a handful of padel courts in the south-west, this project will have a significant impact on the growth of participation.’
The courts are being installed by Bristol-based Courstall Services and Padel Tech and are due to open in early 2021.
For more information, visit eastglos.co.uk.
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