LTA Padel, previously known as British Padel is the acting governing body for padel in Britain. Under the guidance and delivery of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) we continue to operate as a membership structure for players, coaches, and clubs, and maintain our existing affiliation to the International Padel Federation (FIP).
The LTA is now responsible for measuring participation, implementing regulation, and structure for all aspects of the sport of padel including and not limited to; competitions, coaching, venue registration, funding schemes, guidance for players, coaches, and clubs. The LTA is actively managing the relationship with UK Recognition, a joint policy comprised of the five Sports Councils (Sport England, Sport Scotland, UK Sport, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland).
The LTA’s vision “Tennis Opened UP” is about identifying ways to get people to want to play tennis. It’s about breaking barriers to entry and growing the sport as a whole.
One of the strategies is to find innovative ways to make this happen, and padel is seen as an innovative format of tennis that’s easy to pick up, it’s fun, it’s flexible and great for the entire family. These key characteristics align perfectly to the LTA’s vision, it’s innovation strategy, and 5-year plan.
The LTA believe that padel will reduce the attrition from tennis, and create an easier route for new players into the game of tennis.
There’s an opportunity to grow overall participation for tennis by tapping in to new channels. Opportunities include City Centers, Public Parks, Schools & Universities, Squash Clubs, Leisure Centers, Trampoline, Go-Carting, and Football venues – All of which are potential opportunities to grow participation for tennis, where a tennis court wouldn’t normally fit, and attract new audiences.