The first ever Four Nations Super Seniors tournament this weekend is set to bring the UK padel community closer together.
We Are Padel Derby is the host venue as ‘super’ seniors ranging from over-50, 55 and 60 categories in the men’s event and over-45, 50 and 55 in the ladies’ tournament battle it out to be crowned kings and queens of seniors padel in the British Isles.
England non-playing captain Libby Fletcher told The Padel Paper that as well as testing their mettle against the other Home Nations, the positive social impact of the event will be just as important.
The Tennis World Middlesbrough player-coach said: “The England women’s team are super excited to compete in the Four Nations Super Seniors. It will be a fantastic opportunity for players to match up against the teams from the other Home Nations.
“But the Four Nations will be more than just another competitive event as there is also a strong social element to it. I have no doubt it will bring the seniors padel community within the UK closer together.”
Match play starts at 0930hrs on Saturday with England opening against Wales and Scotland battling it out with Ireland. The afternoon action sees the English meeting the Scots for padel’s version of The Calcutta Cup while an all-Celt battle will see the Irish and Welsh collide.
Proceedings conclude on Sunday at 1000hrs with Scotland versus Wales and Ireland meeting England.
England ladies co-organiser Kate Hands reckons that although Fletcher will be sitting it out this weekend her coaching of Albion’s ‘golden girls’ can make all the difference.
The Sundridge ace said: “I think Libby’s coaching and influence will be the main differential for us this weekend.
“You are always told you should be going down the middle and playing safe but we have a lot of wonderful strategies which our coaching set up have developed. Big thanks to Libby and Sally [Fisher] for her creation of our superb structure.
“We have had a friendly fixture with Ireland at Surge Padel in Harrogate and it was a fantastic weekend of padel across all the age groups which I am glad to say England won. But this will be my first time facing Wales and Scotland and I’m very much looking forward to that.”
Hands has no doubt that the Four Nations Super Seniors, sponsored by Padel Corner, can go on to provide a key part of the competitive landscape within UK seniors padel.
“I think The Four Nations is hugely important as the sport is growing so quickly. We are seeing more and more people playing and that means spots for the team are more and more competitive.
“So the more competitions we have the more opportunity it provides for people to play, showcase their skills and encourage more people to take up padel.
“The great thing about this weekend is that it is offering competition for both males and females across all the age groups so it is a unique opportunity to mix with other padel players.
“When I started playing during Covid there were very few people who had even heard of padel whereas now when you go to a tennis club there is as much demand for the padel courts as there is for the traditional courts.
“We Are Padel is a brilliant venue with superb support facilities and being in the middle of the country it is the perfect location.”
