Game, Set… Padel!

By Everybody Health & Leisure

Comedian and avid player Jason Manford, Andy Murray, David Beckham, and nearly every Housewife from Beverly Hills to New York have all been swept up in padel fever. And now Holmes Chapel is joining that glossy, sporty club with our own freshly built padel courts at Everybody Health and Leisure (Holmes Chapel Community Centre).

Now, I haven’t been sleeping under a rock for my 48 years on earth… but I had only heard of padel in recent years. I know. You may have just dropped your cup of tea over my ignorance, but honesty is my best policy (and besides, I’m sure I’m not the only one who thought “padel” was a typo).

Like all modern trends, padel crept into my life via Instagram. One minute you’re watching someone make a traybake in three steps, and the next you’re seeing athletic people in sunglasses pinging a ball off glass walls like they’re starring in a sports advert. Then I spotted something much closer to home: the new courts being carefully planned, measured, and built at the Community Centre. And when the courts were finally in place, those tidy, enclosed 10 x 20 metre rectangles, it became clear this wasn’t a passing fad. It was a proper “we’re doing this now” moment for Holmes Chapel.

So, what actually is padel?

Think of it as tennis and squash having a friendly, sociable baby. It’s usually played in doubles on a smaller court, with walls and glass that are very much part of the game. The best bit? You don’t need to be super sporty to enjoy it. Padel is genuinely brilliant for young and old, for complete beginners and confident players, and for anyone who likes the idea of exercise that doesn’t feel like punishment.

A very brief (but true) history

Padel began in 1962 in Acapulco, Mexico, when Enrique Corcuera adapted a court at his home by adding walls and a net. It later took off in Spain in the 1970s, spread quickly through Europe and South America, and grew into the modern sport we see today: fast, social, tactical, and wildly addictive.

How you play (without feeling like you need a coaching badge)

The rules are reassuringly familiar if you’ve ever watched tennis, but the experience is completely its own.

You play two vs two, and the court is smaller than a tennis court, so you’re never miles away from the action. Serving is underarm (a blessing for shoulders everywhere), and the scoring runs like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. The twist is the walls: after the ball bounces on your side, it can hit the glass behind you and you can still return it. At first this feels like sorcery; later it feels like a superpower.

And this is why padel is such a hit: rallies last longer, points become little tactical puzzles, and even beginners can have those “did we just do that?!” moments within a session or two. You don’t have to master everything on day one. You just have to show up and have a go.

Why everyone’s obsessed (and why you might be next)

Padel is easy to start, but it stays interesting as you improve. You can have fun right away, even if your technique is wobbly and your footwork is more “excited giraffe” than “elite athlete.” Because it’s doubles, it’s also incredibly social. Every game involves four people, which means conversation, teamwork, and the occasional dramatic apology when you both go for the same ball.

It’s also kind to the body compared to some sports: you move, bend, react, and work up a sweat, but you’re not pounding along for miles or throwing yourself around like a stunt double. That makes it ideal for teenagers, parents, grandparents, and everyone in between.

And yes, it’s addictive. The sort of sport where you finish one game and immediately start planning the next. Suddenly you’re in a group chat. Suddenly you own a racket. Suddenly you’re watching padel highlights at 10pm “just to learn tactics” (sure).

Everybody Padel’s mission (and it matters)

The whole point here is simple: padel is for everyone. All ages, all abilities, all backgrounds, whether you’re a complete beginner, a returning player, or someone who just wants a new way to move, laugh, and meet people locally. The aim is accessibility, community, and fun first.

The practical bit (Holmes Chapel edition)

If you fancy giving it a go, booking is simple, courts can be booked through the Playtomic app, and Everybody members can access a discount on court bookings.

Even better, you don’t need to turn up fully kitted out like a professional athlete. Rackets are available to borrow from reception, and balls are available to purchase on site.

If you’re new to the sport, don’t worry. On-site staff can explain the basics, and you can also find Intro to Padel and social sessions through the Playtomic academy. More advanced coaching options will be available later this year too, for anyone who gets properly hooked.

So yes, Holmes Chapel, we’ve arrived. Not just with shiny new courts, but with a sport that genuinely welcomes everyone. If you see me down there looking delighted and slightly confused, do wave. I’ll be the one celebrating a shot I definitely didn’t mean to play.

For more information, visit everybody.org.uk - To book, visit playtomic.com