Padel Updates
Devon Padel 2024
It has been a busy year in Devon for Padel.
Venues/Clubs:
We have seen the opening of new clubs, which is now given us a total of 21 courts in our county. Our courts in Devon are located at:
Marjon University Plymouth - 4 courts
Ashbury Manor Okehampton - 6 courts
Riviera Centre, Torquay - 2 courts (increasing to 4 in 2025)
Torquay Tennis Centre - 1 court (increasing to 2 in Feb 2025)
Woodbury Golf, Exeter - 2 courts
City Padel Exeter - 6 courts (*all indoor*)
More venues to come soon, with the sport rapidly increasing everywhere, with Padel now the fastest growing sport in the UK & Worldwide.
Latest UK figures - 700 courts & 200,000 players. LTA strategy to have 1000 courts & 400,000 by 2026.
Devon County Padel Team:
The Devon Padel Team competed at the annual UK Padel Intercounty competition in November and came away with some success.
The Women's team came 3rd in their group, winning a match.
The Mixed Team came 3rd in their group, winning a match.
The Men's team didn't win any matches, but certainly competed well against some formidable opponents. One county opponent for example (Essex) had 2 players in the UK top 10 representing them!
Men's Devon Padel Team:
Jonathan Gliddon (Men's captain)
David Palmer
Javier Castillo Lopez
Chris Ryland
Women's Devon Padel Team:
Kate Lewis (Women's captain)
Anna Wilson
Sian Payne
Alex Theyer
Devon Padel will be entering a team in the Over 50's age group UK Padel Intercounty weekend on April 26th/27th and expect to have a very strong side.
Over 40's are June 21st/22nd & Over 60's are September 6th/7th, with Open on November 29th/30th.
Coaching & Refereeing
As far as I am aware, there are 3 qualified Padel coaches in Devon currently. Those Being:
Jonathan Gliddon
Steve Wood (Exeter)
Miles Bromilow (Plymouth & Torquay)
As far as I am aware, the qualified Padel referees (who have completed the LTA Tennis to Padel conversion) in Devon are:
Jonathan Gliddon
Jake Freeman
Roger Froud
Deborah Freeman
Although, obtaining a list of qualified referees in counties, seems to be very hard in obtaining from the LTA for some reason?
Devon Padel County Championships:
A fantastic first ever Devon Padel County Championships held at Ashbury Manor in July.
Men’s Doubles Winners: Chris Ryland/Steven Wood and Runners-Up: Jonathan Gliddon/David Palmer
Women’s Doubles Winners: Chloe Grove/Alexandra Theyer and Runners-Up: Kate Lewis/Annie Ley
Mixed Doubles Winners: Jonathan Gliddon/Sian Payne and Runners-Up: Javier Castillo Lopez/Charon Capel Delgado
A healthy profit made on a successful first ever Padel county championships event.
2025 is already shaping up to be a much bigger event (numbers & standard) and will be held at the premier City Padel Exeter indoor facility.
Planned Devon League:
There are plans in place to pilot a "Devon Padel League" in early 2025, consisting of 4 Clubs with Home & Away fixtures, culminating in a "Devon Padel Cup" day, with a full day of round-robin format matches between clubs.
Media:
Devon Padel has featured in the local press and on Westcountry TV, with future media exposures already in place.