CEO and co-founder Michael Gradon believes Game4Padel’s ground-breaking partnership with major leisure operator Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL) will turbo-charge padel participation in the UK.
The new agreement will see GLL – the UK’s largest operator of municipal leisure facilities – provide sites for padel courts at many of the 250 leisure centres and sports grounds it operates under its ‘Better’ brand.
Game4Padel will install the courts and provide the expertise to deliver the sport, which is still in its infancy within the UK.
Game4Padel already has 30 venues open or secured including Westfield London shopping centre, a partnership with golf’s R&A at Lethamhill Glasgow, Ocean Terminal Leith, Liverpool Cricket Club and Forthill Community Sports Club Dundee. As well as the GLL sites, Game4Padel is in discussions with more than 50 additional venues.
A delighted Gradon said: “This is an extremely exciting development as it will rapidly grow the sport of padel in the UK.
“GLL has a wealth of existing leisure and sports sites with a user base of active people who, we believe, are prime candidates for trying out this new game.
“We are delighted to have been selected by GLL as their padel provider and will use our experience and expertise to bring padel facilities to people all across the UK.”
Suitable sites within GLL’s portfolio are currently being identified, including Gosling Sports Park in Welwyn Garden City, which has an annual footfall of one million visitors.
In the short-term, temporary ‘pop up’ padel courts will be used, with the first of these coming online by the end of February 2023. Expert coaching will be on offer, alongside the opportunity to take part in social and competitive leagues.
Andrew Clark, Head of Sport & Aquatics at GLL, believes padel can bring communities together and improve health across all age groups.
He said: “We are excited about this new partnership with Game4Padel. The game is easy to pick up, can be played by people of all ages and abilities, and is extremely fun and sociable.
“All of these factors make the game an attractive option for us as we aim to deliver sports and leisure facilities which can bring communities together to stay active and healthy.”
Game4Padel is the fastest growing company in the fastest growing sport in the UK. Company investor and ambassador Sir Andy Murray believes the partnership can give open up padel access to a much greater demographic.
He said: “This partnership is great because it will rapidly grow the sport of padel in the UK. There is huge demand for padel with many people unable to access courts locally – this partnership should really help meet that demand, and quickly.”
