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<\/p>\n\t\tWhat a racket! New padel and tennis courts coming to Wigan
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Soul Padel founder and CEO Mark Hewlett<\/p>\n
Padel is coming to Robin Park as part of an exciting new era for racquet sports in Wigan Borough.<\/p>\n
A link-up between the council and social sports innovators Soul Padel will see six new covered courts open at Robin Park Leisure Centre later this year.<\/p>\n
The partnership will also trigger a transformation of the local tennis offer, with four brand new courts at Mesnes Park in Wigan town centre opening this summer and a new Head of Racquets role leading promotion of the game in schools and the wider community.<\/p>\n
Councillor Chris Ready, Wigan Council\u2019s cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: \u201cWe\u2019re really excited to announce a new long-term partnership with Soul Padel to bring this exciting, fast-growing phenomenon to Robin Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cPadel is a great sport for being active and socialising with friends and family, so it\u2019s no surprise more and more people are taking it up all the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs well as being founded by a Wiganer, our new partners at Soul Padel are really big on community and connection so it really is a great fit with our Be Well brand and all the activities that we already offer at Robin Park and across the borough.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also great news for tennis, allowing us to invest in quality, accessible and affordable facilities for local people to enjoy while expanding activities for children, families and adults alike. It really is a win-win all-round!\u201d<\/p>\n
Combining elements of tennis and squash and played on a small, glass-walled court, padel has experienced major growth in recent years with more than 860,000 players in the UK alone and over 35 million worldwide.<\/p>\n
Founded in December 2023 by former St Peter’s RC High School and Winstanley College student Mark Hewlett, Soul Padel already has venues in St Helens, Stockport, Loughborough and Glasgow, with new ones in London, Preston, Warrington, Lancaster and elsewhere in the UK also coming soon.<\/p>\n
The new courts at Robin Park Leisure Centre are expected to be open in the Autumn.<\/p>\n
Mark Hewlett, founder and CEO of Soul Padel, said: \u201cI consider myself a very proud pie eating Wiganer through and through, so to be able to open my business in my hometown is a massive milestone for me personally and Soul Padel more broadly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s been a pleasure to work in partnership with Wigan Council as we aim to deliver a truly accessible, affordable, community-centred Soul Padel club at Robin Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cPadel has a way of pulling people in. Whether you\u2019re competitive, social, or just giving it a go for the first time, you step on court and you\u2019re straight into the action.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also looking forward to introducing programmes like \u2018Soul Sisters\u2019, \u2018Soul Timers\u2019 and \u2018What\u2019s That Racket?\u2019, so that more women, kids and over 50s across the community have a way into the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us, this is about more than just courts; it\u2019s about building a place where people can meet, play and connect, and we can\u2019t wait to get started in Wigan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, work on four new high-quality community tennis courts at Mesnes Park is set to begin in May \u2013 with completion due in early July to capitalise on Wimbledon fever.<\/p>\n
They represent a \u00a3175,000 investment in the sport, in collaboration with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).<\/p>\n
Just like the existing community courts at Pennington Hall Park in Leigh, the courts will be available to book via the LTA\u2019s online Clubspark platform (external link)<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sam Foakes, LTA Head of Delivery for the North and Midlands West, said: \u201cThe new park tennis and padel facilities in Wigan will benefit the local area significantly. With British tennis and padel participation both at record levels, it\u2019s vital that communities across the country have the chance to get on court, and that accessible, community-focused facilities complement both sports.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why the LTA has worked with Wigan Council and Soul Padel to ensure local people can enjoy the benefits both sports bring, as we continue with our vision to open up tennis and padel.\u201d<\/p>\n Be Well\u2019s new Head of Racquets will also help facilitate tennis activities in local schools and community venues, as well as developing the current offer at Robin Park \u2013 which includes casual play, coaching for both juniors and adults, and competitions and events.<\/p>\n