Play padel in Yorkshire: 'It's fun, fairly easy, and always leaves you wanting more'

Figures released by the Lawn Tennis Association last year showed that, by the end of 2024, more than 400,000 UK adults and juniors had played padel at least once that year, up from 15,000 in 2019, and 129,000 at the end of 2023.

Last May, Jodie Harris, who lives in Collingham, near Wetherby, launched The Padel Network, which organises charity and corporate networking padel events across Yorkshire.

Jodie has a travel business and an events business, and is vice chair of children’s charity PhysCap. “I do lots of organising and planning,” she says. “We all started playing padel a couple of years ago. I saw a gap in the market for some organised fun. It's just grown and grown.

“We were quite early, and it was just as the big Slazenger indoor padel centre was opening in Seacroft in Leeds. We did a charity event. In the morning we had 48 ladies playing and in the afternoon 96 men. At the time that was the biggest ladies padel event that had happened in the UK.

“I thought, people are desperate to play, and it really is a great place to meet people socially, but also networking for business.”

So what is the appeal? Jodie says: “I don't go to the gym, I don't like yoga, I've tried everything and nothing ever sticks. But picking up a padel racket, it's fun, and it's fairly easy to play.

“Nobody's taking it too seriously. You have to play in pairs, so it is a good way of being accountable. You've made an arrangement with three other people, and if you don't turn up, they can't play. Typically, the sessions are one hour long and it's just not quite long enough, which leaves you wanting more.”

In Harrogate, Jodie hosts events at Surge Padel at Hornbeam Park. On March 5, she is organising a padel event for 48 people to support women’s employment charity Smart Works Leeds to mark International Women’s Day.

“I have been hosting some intro to padel sessions and within one hour you can learn the rules,” she says. “The youngest player that I've had is 18, and the oldest is 75. Quite a lot of older ladies, probably 50 plus, used to play tennis competitively and regularly, and are now playing padel.”

Padel was invented in 1969 in Acapulco, Mexico, and is hugely popular in Spain. In the UK, it is played indoor and outdoor and, as of February 2025, there were 893 padel courts across 300 venues nationwide.

Naturally, there is a growing demand for padel kit and clothing. Some players wear tennis-style togs and some urban-style leisurewear, depending on where they play. Fashion brands including Alo, Oysho and H&M now have ranges.

Based in Huddersfield, mortgage broker Isabel Mangham-Haigh launched her clothing brand Without A Padel in August last year, selling cool hoodies, T-shirts and accessories with a streetwear edge, online and at The Padel Shed in Huddersfield.

“Post Covid, I stayed remote working,” she says. “It took its toll after a few years, without even realising. I started to feel a little bit isolated, my confidence pretty much was rock bottom, and I found it quite difficult to socialise with people, put myself out there.

“I knew I needed to do something to get me back into social circles and get my confidence back, and I stumbled on padel accidentally.”

Isabel tried a taster session at Huddersfield Lawn Tennis and Squash Club, and instantly fell in love with the game. “I think a lot of people stop playing sport when they start getting older. But it's the social aspect - I play with people from other places in Europe, like people in their 60s, 70s, people with different backgrounds.”

Isabelle wanted padel merchandise to wear. “I was either wearing my old oversized T-shirts or gym tops, and I felt there was something missing,” she says.

“I've always drawn, I've always painted, so I just started drawing, making my logos, designing things. And so Without A Padel was born, and it's been an exciting journey, learning about all sorts of stuff like suppliers, stocking, trademarking.

“I use screen printers in Huddersfield. The hoodies and the tees are from China. They are ethically sourced. It's all recycled or organic materials.”

The garments are unisex. “I wanted it accessible to everyone, and it's what I enjoy, oversized fits, relaxed fits, and I wanted a gritty edge as well, a bit more street wear.”

Pockets are essential for storing padel balls, and Isabel is working on women's leggings accommodating these. “You don't have to wear tennis stuff. It's padel, so anything that suits your personality. I like to cover the bums as well with the long T-shirts, and feel a bit more comfortable.”

Men often wear football jerseys for padel, which has also inspired her take on padel wear. "It's a community, it's a club, and you want to show it off. I am working on some retro jerseys for men as well.”

See these VIP Yorkshire women step out at Elland Road to support Smart Works Leeds here

Many people start padel for a reason, she says. “For me, I needed to feel human again and stop being isolated. I've met people who have lost people close to them recently and said, ‘I really need to smash some balls, can anybody play?’

“You've got that hour of just releasing, you're not thinking of anything else, just hitting a ball. A lot of people are struggling with retirement, no hobbies, so now finding a hobby that they can do, people that want to lose weight.”

For beginners, Sports Direct sells padel bats and Isabel suggests looking on Vinted for entry level padels.

Shoes are a problem. “You've got Babolat, Knox Sports, a few Adidas, K Swiss. But the issue is you've really not got anywhere to go and try on.”

Tennis trainers for clay, with V or herringbone pattern outsoles, are better than ordinary trainers or running shoes, Isabel says. “You move a bit differently in padel. You have to get the fit right. It needs a bit of extra movement and your feet get really hot and swell. Having that extra grip does improve your game.

“I would really encourage anybody to just give it a go. You don't have to be an amazing sports person. It doesn't have to be hugely competitive. Just as long as you're enjoying it, that's all that matters.”

withoutapadel.com

To join The Padel Network or find out more, email [email protected] or follow @thepadel_network on Instagram. All events on sale now at https://buytickets.at/thepadelnetwork

International Women’s Day Padel Networking Event for Smart Works Leeds on Thursday, March 5. Suitable for all abilities with coaches on hand for the beginners and a MIX in tournament for more advanced players.

Alongside the padel sessions, there will be female-founded businesses showcasing their brands through pop-up shops. After playing padel enjoy a delicious brunch, making this a perfect feel-good morning of padel, networking and women supporting women, with a chance to support Smart Works and the life-changing work they do.

If you're looking for a meaningful and energising way to celebrate International Women’s Day, connect with others, and support a powerful cause — this event is for you. Tickets to the Smart Works International Women’s Day event here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepadelnetwork