Smash Padel has announced a partnership with Eltham College, aimed at bringing six panoramic, state-of-the-art padel courts to the school’s 70-acre grounds. Fully covered with weatherproof canopies, the courts will be available for use all year round for pupils at the southeast London school, as well as by the wider Eltham community.
Padel – a fun, sociable racquet sport, played on a covered court approximately one-third the size of that used for tennis – is booming in the UK, with over 230,000 people playing last year. The new facilities, which will be sympathetically designed to fit in with and enhance the surrounding local area, will add to Eltham College’s already outstanding sports offering and give local residents access to one of the fastest-growing sports in the world.
Guy Sanderson, Headmaster of Eltham College, said:
“We’re thrilled to be bringing padel to Eltham. With such a growing interest in the sport, this is a fantastic opportunity for the school and community. The six covered courts, managed by Smash Padel, will be of the highest quality and open to everyone. Our school’s facilities are already central to local sports provision and enjoyed every week by hundreds of children and adults from across the community. The addition of padel will not only expand the range of excellent sporting opportunities available to Eltham students, but give even more of our neighbours the chance to get active, socialise and try something new.”
Smash Padel has earned a strong reputation for making padel accessible to players of all ages and abilities. Their development programmes for juniors and performance academy have been instrumental in growing participation nationwide and nurturing young talent.
Guy Sanderson, Headmaster of Eltham College, said:
“We’re thrilled to be bringing padel to Eltham. With such a growing interest in the sport, this is a fantastic opportunity for the school and community. The six covered courts, managed by Smash Padel, will be of the highest quality and open to everyone. Our school’s facilities are already central to local sports provision and enjoyed every week by hundreds of children and adults from across the community. The addition of padel will not only expand the range of excellent sporting opportunities available to Eltham students, but give even more of our neighbours the chance to get active, socialise and try something new.”
Smash Padel has earned a strong reputation for making padel accessible to players of all ages and abilities. Their development programmes for juniors and performance academy have been instrumental in growing participation nationwide and nurturing young talent.
Marc Edwards, Director of Sport at Eltham College, commented:
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to high-quality facilities, elite coaching, and opportunity for all. Having sector-leading padel facilities on site will continue to inspire our pupils of all abilities and ages to get involved. Continued investment in sporting facilities allows us to provide outstanding opportunities for all students at Eltham College to stay active and healthy. We’re excited to see padel become an important part of the racquets provision at Eltham College and, like all other sporting opportunities, we will follow a bottom-up approach by growing the game through participation but in time offering excellence for our most talented.”
Recognised by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) with a Service Excellence Award, Smash Padel continues to drive grassroots growth, community engagement, and player development across the UK. Their experienced coaches are dedicated to building a positive, welcoming environment that promotes wellbeing and connection.
Carson Russell, Chief Operating Officer at Smash Padel, added:
“Eltham College and Smash Padel share a clear vision: to provide top-class facilities, outstanding coaching, and a genuine sense of community. This collaboration is the start of something very special.”
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