New padel courts opened at Bannatyne Ingleby Barwick club

New padel courts opened at Bannatyne Ingleby Barwick club



The courts were formally opened by MP Matt Vickers and councillor Sally-Ann Watson at the Bannatyne Health Club in Ingleby Barwick

Located on a former five-a-side football pitch at the Myton Road club, the new courts include floodlighting and fencing.

They feature synthetic playing surfaces, reinforced glass walls and a “robust and versatile” translucent fabric canopy.

Sue Stockdale, general manager at the Bannatyne Health Club and Spa Ingleby Barwick, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Mr Vickers and councillor Watson to open our new padel courts alongside managing director Karen Wilkinson.

“They are a fantastic facility for members and non-members and interest is high.

“It’s brilliant to have the opportunity to bring this fast-growing sport to Ingleby Barwick.”

Padel, a racket sport combining elements of tennis and squash, is played in more than 100 countries by an estimated 25 million people.

The sport is especially popular in Europe, with 15,000 new courts registered in 2023 alone.

Spain leads the way with more than 20,000 courts and over six million active players, making it the country’s second most popular sport after football.

Duncan Bannatyne, chairman and chief executive of the Bannatyne Group, said: “Our investment in the padel courts at Ingleby Barwick is a testament to our ongoing commitment to enhancing our member experience and providing diverse, innovative sporting opportunities.

“Padel is not just a game; it’s a social experience, and we are thrilled to introduce this sport, which is growing in popularity all the time, to Ingleby Barwick.”

The courts are open to both club members and the public.

Mr Vickers said: “It looks incredible.

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“It’s of the quality you’d expect from Bannatyne’s, grade A facilities.

“And of course it’s open to non-members so a brilliant investment for the community.”

Councillor Watson said: “It’s brilliant and the fact you don’t have to be a member means it’s a proper public facility.

“I think it will be extremely successful.”



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