City to host its first dedicated indoor Padel venue

A sports organisation and five city sports enthusiasts have secured investment and a venue to bring the first dedicated indoor Padel racquet sport venue to Sheffield.

Fans of the sport will be able to play at Abbeydale Tennis Club thanks to Play Padel Group, led by project founder Alex Fleming and backed by RDM a consortium of England and professional cricketer Joe Root, current RUFC goalkeeper Cameron Dawson, well-being entrepreneur Harry Bliss and sports brand entrepreneur and Barmy Army boss Chris Millard.

Wake Smith Solicitors’ Ben Spencer completed the commercial property work for Play Padel Group Ltd, while Tom Haywood advised on the corporate legal work.

James Burdekin from Sheffield solicitors MD Law acted for the shareholders, while Taylor Emmett acted for the tennis club.

It is hoped the courts, which are around a third smaller than lawn tennis courts, and have consent from The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), will be ready for action from spring.

Root said: “Sheffield has always been my home, and I’m so excited to help bring a sport as dynamic and social as padel to the city.

“Being part of a project in my hometown is something really special. Padel is for everyone, and I can’t wait to see people here getting involved.”

Dawson said: “As someone who grew up here I feel very fortunate to have the sporting opportunities I have had.

“It has always been a goal of mine to add something to the city that has given me so much. I really believe that this project will build on the sporting legacy that Sheffield already holds.”

Bliss said: “One of the things I love most about padel is how inclusive and social it is. It’s not just about the sport; it’s about connecting with people and having fun.”

Millard said: “As someone who has built communities in sport for the past decade, it only felt right that we should put a team together to bring the world’s fastest growing sport to the Steel City.”

Fleming added: “We’re incredibly proud to bring Sheffield its first dedicated padel venue. We can’t wait to see the people of Sheffield enjoying it together.”

A pay-and-play model will be adopted at the indoor courts to ensure year-round play from 6am until 10pm. The venue will also feature a coffee bar and social seating area.

Padel, invented in 1969 by an Argentinian husband and wife duo on holiday, can currently be played at Sheffield’s Hillsborough Park and at Hallamshire Tennis and Squash Club on Ecclesall Road.

At the end of 2023, the LTA said there were 350 courts available in Great Britain, with the number rapidly rising. Sport England said over 50,000 people played padel at least once in England in the year to November 2023.

Tom Haywood, associate in the company commercial team at Wake Smith, said: “This is good news and brings a new and exciting development and sport to the South West area of Sheffield.”

Ben Spencer, a director in Wake Smith’s commercial property team, said: “The new venture for the club will allow Sheffielders further access to play one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.”

James Burdekin, corporate partner at MD Law, added: “It was a pleasure to work alongside Wake Smith and we wish the team at Play Padel Group every success.”