Tournament Director Tim Edwards says the forthcoming Four Nations Super Seniors Championship in Derby will blend competitive edge with good-hearted camaraderie.
We Are Padel is the host venue on 3-5 March as ‘super’ seniors in the over-50, 55 and 60 categories in the men’s event and over-45, 50 and 55 in the ladies’ tournament battle it out for the right to be crowned kings and queens of seniors padel in the British Isles.
Edwards, former vice president of British Padel, is confident the inaugural event can go on to become a staple of the British seniors padel scene.
He told The Padel Paper: “It will be very exciting at Derby next weekend I have no doubt. The level of enthusiasm among the home countries is sky high. While there will be plenty of banter there is no doubt it will also be highly competitive as everyone will want to win the inaugural tournament.
“It’s the perfect time for our championship with the Six Nations in rugby so much in our thoughts at the moment; with Ireland and Scotland doing so well, England improving and Wales, well, also taking part!” said Tim with a chortle.
He continued: “It is great that someone will be crowned the first Four Nations champions and I am delighted that the ladies are involved too.
“It is just a big positive that we have people across the four nations meeting up in a friendly environment even although bragging rights are very much at stake.”
Turning his attention specifically to the men’s event, Edwards was keen to salute the Motley Crew of captains who are, to use Scottish parlance, among the most ‘weel kent’ faces in the British game.
Tim reflected: “England captain Peter Vann is vastly experienced. As he has told me just a couple of times, he’s an ex-Yorkshire tennis player and was instrumental in putting up padel courts at Huddersfield that were among the first in the UK.
“Peter has represented GB in the senior World and European Padel Championships and with the Four Nations being on English soil, his team need no motivation for this one, believe me.
“For Scotland, John Byrne skippers and he has also represented GB in the World and Europeans. John and David McCulloch started up WOSP in Ayrshire and it is a thriving club where he also coaches.
“The Scots need no more fire in their bellies to come down to Derby and rain on our parade. I am sure the tie with England will have a real extra edge to it.
“For Wales, Paul Jenkins will lead his old boyos out from the valleys spitting fire! He is one of the most respected coaches in Wales while also being one of the longest-standing players to come out of Cymru.
“The Irish will be headed by Barry Coffey, a legend of Irish padel who has played for Ireland at senior level in every major tournament. He is also president of the Irish Padel Association and very confident about his side’s chances!”
Edwards reveals plans are already afoot to expand the format are in the pipeline: “In the future I would like to have a Four Nations across all seniors age groups. There is such a strong community feel to padel in the seniors age groups, everyone knows everyone else and that has made it relatively easy to organise.”
Edwards was also keen to give a shout-out to host venue We Are Padel and Four Nations sponsors Padel Corner. “We Are Padel Derby have been a great help in making the organisational process so straight forward. I know they are delighted that their members will be able to take in some very decent padel although, being honest, not quite of the highest level!”
