Norwich City are the latest English professional football club to embrace padel after submitting planning permission for courts at their community hub The Nest.
Three padel courts (two covered and one outdoor) are part of Phase 4 of development of The Nest in the Horsford area of the city, which is a hub for accessible and community-led sport.
The club said the new courts “will be open to all, with a focus on removing barriers to participation and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to get involved.”
As we reported three years ago, Notts County were the first professional club in England to build padel courts at their own stadium when four courts were added at Meadow Lane. Jurgen Klopp had padel facilities installed at Liverpool’s Melwood training base, Pep Guardiola did the same at Manchester City, Brentford have padel courts at their training HQ, Mansfield Town were early adopters too and earlier this year Brighton & Hove Albion announced plans for courts at their training centre.
As well as the three courts, Norwich City’s proposals for The Nest include racket hire, changing and social areas, indoor viewing, outdoor table tennis and vending spaces. The courts will have the capacity for 800 users per week and are projected to welcome over 40,000 visitors annually.
Dedicated sessions and new programming will be created to ensure the courts serve a wide range of users, including inclusive coaching and disability padel sessions; and weekly sessions and holiday camps for children, inactive older people, people with mental health challenges and subsidised access for underrepresented and targeted groups.
In addition, the Norwich City Foundation’s Youth Voice Council are engaged in co-developing new programmes that will enable more young people to engage in the sport whilst addressing community issues.
“The expansion of padel courts at The Nest represents a bold investment in health, inclusion and opportunity,” said Jackie Thornton, Director of Strategy and Development.
“We are constantly evolving The Nest with the view to reduce isolation, support mental wellbeing, promote physical activity, and offer a safe, inspiring space for people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Planning has now been submitted and support is being sought from funders and stakeholders.
