The fastest-growing participation sport globally has arrived in Sandwell, with three new ‘Padel’ courts now open at Tipton Sports Academy - the first of their kind in the Black Country.

A launch event on Saturday at the Wednesbury Oak Road facility - one of eight centres maintained and run by Sandwell Leisure Trust on behalf of Sandwell Council – attracted over 150 attendees made up of interested locals and dignitaries, including the Leader of Sandwell Council, Kerrie Carmichael,  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, Cllr Suzanne Hartwell, plus Deputy Lord Lieutenant Gurpreet Bhatia.

The Mayor of Sandwell, Cllr Syeda Khatun MBE, cut the official opening ribbon and hit the first ball on the three new ‘indoor’ courts (a key advantage regionally as padel at Tipton Sports Academy can be enjoyed all year round) which marks a £155,000 investment to bring this booming, dynamic and highly inclusive and accessible sport to the area.

Padel is like a cross between tennis and squash but played on smaller courts enclosed with glass walls. It’s played in doubles and uses the tennis scoring system, with the serve underarm. Players use solid, stringless, composite rackets to hit a softer ball over the net and via the walls.

Lots of Sandwell locals took advantage of free coaching and taster sessions on the launch day and the new facility’s first ever fun tournament with prizes.

Chair of the SLT Board, Penny Venables, said: “We always strive to provide high-quality leisure facilities that support the health and well-being of our community, so we are thrilled to bring the highly exciting and social game of padel to Sandwell.

"Inclusive and accessible community facilities like this make a real difference to people’s lives and we look forward to welcoming increasing numbers of players and enthusiasts locally and from across the region.”

Mayor, Syeda Khatun added: “I am always extremely proud of what we achieve and deliver in Sandwell and this is no exception as we open these wonderful new padel courts at Tipton Sports Academy with our partners at Sandwell Leisure Trust.

"We hope bringing one of the fastest growing sports in the world to the borough will provide yet another opportunity for our residents to get together and enjoy something new whilst staying fit and active.”

Playing padel is an ideal way to socialise with family, friends, or other enthusiasts for a fun game, because it’s so easy to play and pick up for all ages, abilities and fitness levels. Bookings can be made at slt-leisure.co.uk/padel.