Portsmouth is set to have a new home for padel with a purpose-built centre close to completion in Hilsea.
Padel Quarter is based in The Admiral Park across the road from Hilsea Railway Station and will boast six indoor courts, a café, pro shop and gym as it looks to create an inclusive and welcoming space for all ages and abilities.
The new centre is the brainchild of Andrew Baxter, 60, who was converted to padel after struggling with persistent knee injuries having played tennis and squash regularly. He stayed away from racquet sports for 15 years until a friend suggested padel.
Andrew said: “I didn't believe it at first but my friend said it is much easier on your body even though you are still twisting and turning. It is doubles and a smaller court so you never have to cover the whole court yourself and you stick to your quarter.
“From my point of view it also helps with my mental health because it is a very social game and it is fun, you can get out there and take out your frustrations and enjoy a good game. It is competitive but it doesn't have to be, you can choose how you experience it.”
The sport combines elements of both tennis and squash and is played on a small 20mx10m enclosed court with the walls part of the game that the ball can be played against. Padel Qaurter will have a selection of coaching available from junior programmes and social sessions to expert coaching. It will also run a range of competitions and events to welcome people through the doors.
Charyle Mercer, 37, the club manager, is looking forward to welcoming its first customers. She said: “I can really feel the buzz in the community. It has been really well received, everything has been positive and I can tell that people are looking forward to coming here.
“The biggest part of our culture is we want to be inclusive and accessible. I know what it is like in leisure and it can be quite a lengthy time for anyone to build up the confidence to visit any sporting facility. We want it to be a place people come to to remote work, to come and play for fun or competitively, work out in the gym, it is entirely up to them but the doors will be open and it will be manned at all times.”
Charyle wants to encourage people of all ages and abilities to give padel ago. She said: “A lot of people find it more forgiving on the joints, which is what turned our founder Andrew to the sport. A few people might see it as a cage and get intimidated by it but actually it is a little bit more slower paced in some senses and it is user friendly, particularly if you are a beginner.”
For the people already converted to padel, they currently have to travel out of the city to find courts in Fareham, Southampton and Chichester with Charyle hearing that there is great excitement for the new courts to open in Portsmouth.
An opening date and details of membership packages have yet to be confirmed but are expected soon.
Have a sneak peek inside Padel Quarter in the pictures below:
10. Padel Quarter
Padel racquets will be available to hire once open. There will also be a pro shop on site. | Habibur Rahman
