LTA ladies’ No.1 Aimee Gibson has become an Ambassador for CorteSport as the new brand launches its first UK padel club.
Aimee, who turned pro last June, enjoyed a hugely successful debut season in 2023, winning six tournaments in a row on the British Padel Tour including five LTA Grade One titles. The Essex left-hander intensified her coaching programme with Dan Troy and benefited from elite-level training camps in Barcelona.
As she steps up her competition schedule on the FIP RISE circuit this year, Aimee will benefit from the support of Corte Sport – the latest new entrant into the UK padel market.
CorteSport’s first major launch is a padel club at The Hayes in Birmingham, part of a multi-million pound development with Alvechurch FC which will provide a range of sporting and leisure facilities. The company has four more clubs in the final stages which will be revealed across the year.
CoteSport partner Luke Taylor told The Padel Paper: “Aimee’s got big ambitions and so have we. Aimee is flying up the rankings and that drive is aligned with us at CorteSport. We have big ambitions to deliver exceptional on- and off-court experiences for our clubs as they come online across the UK through 2024 and beyond.
“Having been a professional tennis player, Aimee wanted to look at racket sports from a new angle and found padel whilst coaching in Dubai. Since then she’s never looked back.
“That story of trying something new and adopting a new angle resonates with our ambitions to help existing racket sport players give padel a try, and welcome a more diverse audience to try the game and fall in love with it.
“We’re looking at every part of padel from a new angle; from our club experience to our brand, and importantly our partnerships. When an industry grows at such a pace it’s important that new ventures such as CorteSport review what’s great about the game and importantly, improves on the areas which need elevating. With Aimee on board, we feel we can bring fresh ideas that improve padel’s upward trajectory still further.”
Aimee said: “From the moment I connected with Luke, I could tell his vision was different and special.
“There are lots of companies entering padel but CorteSport are a unique brand that will stand out from the crowd. They have a long and bright future and I’m incredibly proud to be associated with them.”
Oliver Morgan, of Activate Management, who manage Aimee alongside other top British professionals, said: “The super-talented team at CorteSport will be excellent long-term partners for Aimee. Her comeback story is one that many find relatable, and their ambitious, dynamic approach aligns well with what she stands for, so this partnership is a great fit.
“Our top players are seeing more interest from new ventures such as CorteSport who recognise the credibility that player sponsorship brings to their brand. This essential support allows players to travel and compete more, facilitating their progress up the international rankings and spearheading the British presence on the professional circuit – so it’s a win-win for both brand and athlete.”
