Let's play Padel at Ripon Tennis Centre!

Aim

Our aim is to build two Padel courts which will introduce a new and exciting facility, for members and non-members alike in and around Ripon

Introduction

The Tennis Centre is situated on the outskirts of the picturesque North Yorkshire town of Ripon, close to Ripon Golf Club. 

Starting life as the Mallorie Park Lawn Tennis Club back in the 1940s, it only moved to its current site in 1996, when the finished and renamed centre was opened by Sir Bobby Charlton. 

From the four original grass courts and tiny pavilion that saw the inception of the club, there are now six outdoor courts (three tarmac, three astro), all of which have floodlights and two indoor courts, which are very popular. 

How things have changed

 We have two coaches who provide a high standard of coaching to our adult and junior members alike. There is also a gym with excellent facilities and a warm, welcoming reception and bar area.

The Problem

Like so many other sports clubs and organisations, Ripon Tennis Centre has suffered financially as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid rates have been high in North Yorkshire and repeated lockdowns have hampered regular play, both social and competitive. Members have been slow to return. Our membership currently stands at just under 580 but this is 150 less than our pre-Covid figures.  

Now, though we are looking at ways not only to recoup our losses but to take this  opportunity to help the club forward in an innovative way. 

What is Padel?

Padel is the fastest growing racquet sport in the world. Played on an enclosed court which is about 25% smaller than a tennis court, Padel is a cross between squash and tennis, its popularity is enhanced by its simplicity and suitability for all ages and abilities. Players are more motivated to play and can enjoy the game from the very beginning, thus making it an attractive alternative to a huge number of people. Currently the nearest courts are in Harrogate (12 miles away) and Middlesbrough (40 miles away). Together with the tennis and the gym we can already offer, it will help us to provide another way of promoting general fitness and activity together with mental and physical well being to the local community and surrounding area.

Interested to know more about Padel?

The Aim

Three committee members, along with our Centre manager form the crowdfunding group, hoping to raise £20,000 which together with help from Sport England and a loan from the LTA would enable us to reach the target needed to build two uncovered Padel courts. These would be available with coaching all year round, both for members and non-members. 

This is where the courts would be built - cutting through some unsightly undergrowth into an overgrown area of wasteland. Choosing this site means that the Padel courts will be ideally placed near to the tennis courts, thereby attracting lots of attention and the remains of the wasteland will be tidied up in keeping with the rest of the centre. It will also  provide useful additional car parking space.

The future

We know we are lucky to have the facilities we have but we also know that things did not happen overnight. Some of the members who fought for years for these enormous improvements are still playing tennis today. 

We're not a centre to stand still. 

Dinted a little maybe, but undaunted by Covid-19, we are determined to stay one step ahead of the game and bringing Padel to Ripon for the benefit of members and the local community is the optimal way to do this.

Reactions at the centre

There has already been a lot of interest (and intrigue) shown by members who are spreading the word, to help make our campaign as successful as possible. 

A couple of members have their own Padel court and their friends who have sampled the game are delighted to know that we hope to be able to offer them more access to the game.

Gordon, aged 80 is a member who plays tennis. He is more than happy to be quoted having just tried Padel for the first time-'I loved it. I was able to play straightaway. It's a great leveller.' It's a shame he did not want to be videoed as  what spoke volumes was the huge smile and the look of delight on his face as he described his Padel experience. 

A local cafe owner, kind enough to offer a reward said,'Padel? I'll be joining the club.'

And finally

We aim to have the courts up and ready to go by April 2022. 

None of this would have been possible without the help and hard work of the committee, Simon Manning's fabulous video, the humbling generosity of local businesses who have contributed in all manner of ways because they too wish to support the local community and of course our loyal members. 

This project successfully funded on 29th October 2021