Plans afoot to grow padel tennis in Benoni

Padel Quip is planning to launch numerous programmes to fast-track the development of padel tennis in Benoni.

Among some of the plans are introductory courses to teach people about the game, an inter-club league at their base at the Old Bens Sports Club in Rynfield and a competitive regional league.

Fuelled by the growing popularity of the sport nicknamed ‘tennis with walls or squash in the sun’, founder Morgana Robbertze plans to spread the footprint of the game.

“We are running an August winter-spring competition where we are going to have beginners and advanced sessions. We will also have lots of introduction courses for people who want to learn and get into the game,” she said.

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The 16th Padel World Championships take place in November and numerous broadcasters have caught the padel tennis bug with more games being televised. In South Africa, courts are growing steadily and there are already established clubs in Cape Town.

With the South African Padel Association at the helm, more clubs are sprouting up in several regions including Ekurhuleni. It is due to this that Robbertze plans to make the sport more accessible in Benoni and surrounding areas.

“We are doing our bit to get the community involved in the sport. Once you get the hang of it, you will find it’s good for keeping fit. It’s one of the fastest-growing sporting codes in the country and the world. Those interested can come to our courts at Old Bens.“

She added that once more people start playing the game, their long-term plan is to get a coach who will develop players to compete against the best in the country and ultimately the world.

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