Senior padel players called for more competitive opportunities for older age groups after Legends Padel held the UK’s first over-65s ranking event in Bracknell last week.
Legends Padel’s competition at Padel4all on 5-6 March was the first LTA-approved padel event for over-65s in the UK, and marked the launch of Legends Padel’s 65+ rankings. These rankings, however, are not yet officially sanctioned by the padel’s British governing body.
Founded in October 2024 by GB Seniors player Sally Fisher, Legends Padel organises training camps and competitions for age categories from 60+ upwards.
Following last week’s first 65+ ranking event, it will stage a series of further events later this year where 65+ players can build their rankings through points earned via their performances.
Jonathan Eagle, winner of the 65+ men’s title in Bracknell, urged the LTA to do more to fulfil the competitive appetite of older players.
“Please add the over-65 category to tournaments already open for entry this year!” he told The Padel Paper.
“As players get older, five years makes a bigger difference, so having 60, 65, 70 is excellent… I wonder when there will be enough to have an over-75s! Probably soon.
“Legends Padel has certainly shown how many older players are now playing padel and to a great standard.
“Tournaments are an added bonus for those who want to be competitive and to now have an opportunity to have rankings at over-65s is great to build on the men’s and women’s games.
“The key now is for tournament organisers to include an over-65 ranking tournament in their events, as well as 60s, so there are enough ranking events to give the opportunity for over-65s to play.”
Jonathan’s winning partner, Stephen Gillott, added: “It was great to play in the first over-65s ranking event, and of course really nice to win it.
“It was great to meet and play fellow over-65s, all of whom were very open and sporting. All matches were played in a great spirit.”
Gail Corcoran, the 73-year-old winner of the women’s 65+ title alongside Jo Harpur, relished the chance to compete in a ranking competition.
“This is a competition that, for the first time, is attracting people for the ranking points and the status to improve their position if that becomes important in being able to enter other events,” she said.
“It’s good to give it some status by recognising that it deserves to have ranking points, that it means something.
“There are those of us who like to do it to experience that intensity, because it does raise your level when you’re playing competitively compared to just playing locally at your club.”
Offering more categories for older players is clearly an important way to ensure games are as competitive as they can be.
Gail explains: “[At 73] I could still be eight years different [to the lower end of the 65+ scale]. I play down, as other people have been forced to, so it’s good to be able to have a 65s category. There were other people here who are over 70, who were playing 65s, so it’s good to be recognised, it helps keep everyone involved and playing.
“We are very grateful that it’s put on, and giving us some recognition.”
Check out all the results from the Legends Padel tournament at Padel4all Bracknell
I’m 67 and play at least 3-4 times a week right across the board testing myself against the “young’uns” from the 20years old upwards to my age group.
Sally works really hard to get the Seniors on the Padel map – I’m looking forward to events like this particularly in Manchester and the North West it’s brilliant!
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