Huddersfield Lawn Tennis & Squash Club is excited to have introduced more people from the local community to the sport of padel. Some of those trying the sport for the first time are international students from the University of Huddersfield.
Students from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Dubai, where the sport of padel tennis is the fastest growing sport in the UAE, are now regular visitors to the club.
Chairman Pete Emsell is delighted that the club has been able to provide a base for the students to enjoy the sport they love.
He said: “The involvement from the students has been fantastic. They play regularly, have coaching sessions and are a real credit to the university and their families back home.”
Eleven years ago the club was the first club in the UK to add two padel courts to its facilities. Earlier this year, around Easter time, they celebrated the re-opening of their courts in partnership with Game4Padel with the addition of an all-weather canopy roof.
Since then the growth of padel at the venue has gone from strength to strength. This can be seen through the number of participants the club is now attracting week to week.
Fawaz al Ajmi, aged 20, who comes from Kuwait and studies at the University of Huddersfield, is loving his time at the club and is excited about what the future may bring.
He said: “I am now hooked on the sport. It’s a great club and I really enjoy the coaching sessions with Nico (Nick Holloway, head coach at the club). I like getting quality coaching, which is rare, especially back in Kuwait.
“I think Nico is doing a great job in Huddersfield growing the sport and improving playing levels. Myself and my friends are now more motivated to take the sport more seriously. I will definitely continue the sport when I go back to Kuwait.”
If you have never played padel before and would like to try please contact club coach Nick Holloway (n.holloway87@yahoo.co.uk) to organise a free padel introduction for a group of three or four people. Rackets and balls are provided.
Anyone can book a padel court at Huddersfield LTSC. You do not have to be a member of the club to be able to play. To book a court please contact the club or the club website www.hltsc.co.uk or www.Game4padel.com. Alternatively download the Playtomic app on IOS or Android. And book a court directly online.
