Rochdale Council has approved plans for Rochdale Padel Club to construct six new padel courts on land next to Rochdale Cricket Club. Four of the courts will be covered, and the site will include a clubhouse with changing rooms, a café, and a terraced area. The development aims to bring the growing sport of padel to the local community.
The approval marks the arrival of padel in Rochdale, a sport blending elements of tennis and squash. Played in pairs on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court, padel involves underarm serves, wall rebounds, and padded rackets, making it accessible for beginners. The Greater Manchester area has seen a surge in such facilities in recent years.
The new courts will occupy underutilised land off Bridgeford Road, adjacent to the cricket pitch, which is sometimes used for spectator overflow. Rochdale Padel Club's project includes a clubhouse to support players and visitors.
Eddie Hamilton, a committee member of Rochdale Sports Club, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative. “We’re delighted to welcome Rochdale Padel Club to site, alongside our cricket, lacrosse, racketball and squash facilities,” he said. “This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to further develop our sports offering in Rochdale and strengthen our commitment to the local community. We believe that padel will bring a fresh, exciting dimension to the club and look forward to seeing new and existing members enjoy everything the expanded facilities have to offer.”
Planning documents highlight padel's health benefits, noting it provides a full-body workout that enhances cardiovascular health, endurance, and strength. The sport is suitable for participants from children as young as five to individuals in their nineties, promoting physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
Victoria Shaw, operations director of Rochdale Padel Club, emphasised the community focus. “We’re excited about what this project will bring to Rochdale. Not just as a new sport, but as an opportunity for real community connection,” she stated. The club is led by Jordan Ingoe, founder and former CEO of UK Padel Courts and The Hook Club, who has installed courts across the UK since 2023. With local roots, the project seeks to foster inclusivity for residents, members, visitors, and schoolchildren, elevating padel in northern England.