TIA Spring Forum
Our annual Spring Forum is establishing a reputation as the key networking event for the tennis, padel and pickleball industry. If you want to build new relationships and strengthen your business network you should attend. It is also a place where you can keep abreast of the latest industry developments and exchange best practice knowledge
This year we are pleased to welcome Owen James, Sustainability Manager at England Golf, who will address key issues of particular relevance to both golf and tennis clubs – how England Golf supports its clubs – why people join – targeting market sectors – diversification to grow the game – the challenge and economics of sustainability
SAPCA – the UK’s trade association for the sports and play construction industry – will highlight some of the challenging issues around padel court development and the value of setting the highest standards in sport facility design, construction and maintenance.
Diversification, Sustainability and AI in sport are other areas planned for the event. The final content and speakers will be announced shortly.
This is a FREE networking event but spaces are limited. To reserve your place now, email phil@tiauk.org
AGM / Summer Social
Our AGM takes place on Thursday July 3rd at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre in Roehampton. All paid up members are eligible to attend and to apply for ground passes to The Championships following the AGM and lunch. For those not attending Wimbledon, there will be an opportunity to play padel and / or to watch some top junior matches during the Lexus British Open (ITF J300 event)
If you wish to apply for a ground pass to Wimbledon for July 3rd, contact phil@tiauk.org
Renewal fees due for 2025 membership year
All members have been issued with invoices for the 2025 membership year fee. For those that have not already done so, please action this as soon as possible. Our activities can only be undertaken due to your continued support of your industry association
Padel News
Padel courts set to be built at Wolverhampton Tennis and Squash Club
Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club is to install three new padel courts at its site in Newbridge Crescent. Two existing grass tennis courts will be replaced with the three new roofed courts, as part of plans approved by City of Wolverhampton Council.
Padel growth continues in Britain, LTA to partner with Pro Am Tour
The Lawn Tennis Association will partner with the Pro Am Padel Tour. The new initiative will see a new-look tour for 2025 with four major cities hosting tournaments and community-led events.”We want to break down barriers and ensure that anyone, regardless of their background or experience level, can enjoy the buzz of the game,” Oliver Morgan, founder of the Pro Am Padel Tour said.
Courtesy: Reuters Feb 4
A1 Padel eyes expansion via 54 partnership
Global sports and entertainment agency 54 and A1 Padel have entered into a strategic MoU that outlines a vision to ‘accelerate the sport’s global reach’
Play Padel partners with Abbeydale Tennis Club in Sheffield
A sports organisation and five city sports enthusiasts have secured investment and a venue to bring the first dedicated indoor Padel racquet sport venue to Sheffield. It is hoped the development will be ready for play in May
Fans of the sport will be able to play at Abbeydale Tennis Club thanks to Play Padel Group, led by project founder Alex Fleming and backed by RDM a consortium of England and professional cricketer Joe Root, current RUFC goalkeeper Cameron Dawson, well-being entrepreneur Harry Bliss and sports brand entrepreneur and Barmy Army boss Chris Millard.
Preston’s first indoor padel sports facility now up and running
Just Padel has opened a new padel sports facility in the former Staples building in Preston which has stood empty since business closed in 2019.
First floating padel courts planned for Liverpool
Liverpool Waters is poised to become a new sporting destination with the introduction of the UK’s reportedly first ‘floating’ padel tennis courts, alongside a Scandinavian-style clubhouse and a social deck. The proposed project will see plans submitted to Liverpool City Council in February, with a decision anticipated in early 2025 and a potential opening in mid-2025. Peel Waters, which engages in waterfront regeneration projects, has formed a partnership with international companies to bring this concept to life.
The team includes Ville Leisti, Finnish founder and CEO of Floating Padel, and Tytti Sirola, CEO of Bluet Floating Solutions, which specialises in floating construction.
They are joined by Gareth Evans, MD, as well as Padel Ventures and Paul Danson, founder of Imagineering Global, an architectural design company.
Padel tennis hub gearing up to open in Reading
The Padel Hub is about to open a new padel centre in Reading during the month. The company currently has four sites and is about to open its fifth location in Reading this month.
Cardiff plans for new padel centre
Plans for a substantial investment in community sports facilities in Cardiff to provide a new padel tennis centre, café and community space have been given the go-ahead. Padeltastic Ltd has secured permission for the conversion of the existing Llandaff Fields bowling pavilion to provide six padel courts covered by a glazed canopy.
At a meeting, Cardiff Council’s planning committee approved the application as per an officer’s report recommendation. Cardiff Council said it was in the process of drawing up lease arrangements with the cricket club, Tennis Wales and Padeltastic Ltd. This followed an ‘expressions of interest’ exercise aimed at securing investment in the existing facilities, bringing recreational and sporting opportunities to the area and helping to unlock new funding opportunities.
Also included in the plans is resurfacing of the tennis courts, the development of a community tennis facility for all ages and abilities, the installation of cricket practice nets and, subject to funding, a new permanent clubhouse for Llandaff Cricket Club.
Pickleball News
The USA Pickleball Report 2024 was published in January 2025 – here are a few highlights to illustrate its growth:
- Places to Play: The USA Pickleball court location database, Pickleheads, added 4,000 new locations in 2024, bringing the total to 15,910 courts nationwide.
- Total Known Courts: The Pickleheads database now includes 68,458 courts, with 18,455 new courts added in 2024.
- Membership: USA Pickleball continues to support a strong membership base of 62,260.
- USA Pickleball Ambassadors: USA Pickleball has 2,051 dedicated ambassadors promoting the sport across the country.
- Tournament Sanctioning: USA Pickleball sanctioned 142 tournaments in 2024
- Community & Youth Grants: In 2024, USA Pickleball awarded $45,350 in grants supporting 33 community programs, 4 collegiate initiatives and 102 youth-focused projects.
- Paddle & Ball Approvals: USA Pickleball Equipment & Evaluation Committee (EEC) tested and approved 1,713 new paddle and ball submissions in 2024. Of these, 1,225 paddles and 81 balls were approved, with additional results still pending for submissions. A total of 476 new manufacturers and brands registered in 2024.
- Officiating Program: In 2024, USA Pickleball’s officiating program saw significant growth, surpassing 1,100 members, including Trainees through Certified Referees (CR). Credentialed Level 1 and Level 2 referees increased by over 7%, while Certified Referees grew by 9%, with new CRs outpacing retirements.
- Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR): USA Pickleball’s training partner, the Professional Pickleball Registry, ended 2024 with 8,754 members. PPR conducted 295 workshops across the U.S., with 3,318 participants.
- Pickleball Coaching International (PCI): Another key training partner, PCI, finished 2024 with 1,037 U.S. members and 1,422 members globally. PCI’s newly launched Level 1 (Thinkific) course saw 895 new signups.
- Media Attention: Pickleball continued to dominate the headlines in 2024, maintaining its status as the fastest-growing sport in America for the fourth consecutive year. Top-tier media outlets like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Sports Business Journal, Forbes and Sports Illustrated extensively covered the sport’s growth and impact.
With thanks to USA Pickleball