Padel power as military stars take to the courts and embrace world's fastest growing sport

Padel is claimed to be the fastest growing sport across the world, and established sports stars including Rafael Nadal, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are big fans. Now the sport is available for members of the military, too.

Organisers of the inaugural Army Championships were delighted with the number of soldiers who took part, with plans already progressing for future military tournaments and an Inter Services championship.

The Army Championships doubled up as selection for an Army team. Officer in Charge for Army Padel is Captain Harry Owen. He told BFBS Sport the Army are building a team to face the other two services.

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He said: "We're looking for 10 males to make the Army team and four Army women, but hopefully trying to grow the men's and women's game side by side and hopefully compete against the RAF and Navy."

The prospect of an Inter Services padel championship is, according to Capt Owen, not far away. He said: "The UK Armed Forces Tennis Committee is meeting to hopefully get a date in the diary. We know the RAF are keen to do it. Just waiting for the Navy to get their team together, but absolutely confident we'll get an inter-services."

The discipline received category three recognised status last summer. The Army are the first to run a single service championship, but the other two services are keen to follow suit.

Colchester-based officer Juan Vilches grew up playing the sport and is delighted that padel can be played in the forces. He said: "Super excited to be fair. It's a sport I grew up with. I'm super excited to see where it can go with Army padel and the rest of the services."

Vilches and playing partner Louis Hughes emerged as the first-ever Army padel champions. The RLC man is now hoping to spearhead Army hopes going into future Inter Service events and can't wait for the challenge.

"I think it will be incredible," he added. "An opportunity to play against the Navy and RAF, having served with them, will be incredible. Once again, break down those boundaries to see who is the best," said Vilches.

The first Army padel courts were rolled out at Bicester Garrison last summer. They were installed following an idea by Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor (Warrant Officer Class 2) Richard Hailwood. 

"I wonder if we can get them in the military," he said. "I approached all the charities in the Garrison. With a little persuasion The (Royal) Engineers said they would donate, which helped all the other corps too. Then the Army welfare grant and the Army charitable fund gave a huge donation. So, we've got two fully playable courts. Since we've had the courts, it's been non-stop busy."

Padel is a hybrid of squash and tennis, but the discipline is more forgiving on the body than other racquet sports and well-suited to athletes crossing over from other pursuits. In his role as a physical training instructor, Bicester-based Hailwood can see the benefits padel has to offer.

He said: "It's really inclusive to different levels of fitness. You could have real different fitness abilities playing on the same court, all getting a workout, all playing a good game of padel."

The RAF already has padel courts in Cyprus, and RAF Odiham in Hampshire is another location earmarked for padel facilities. With Inter Service competition on the agenda, padel has a bright future across the military.