Take a look around the new Padel courts in Tipton as Black Country families get to grips with the sports craze taking the world by storm

Three new Padel courts were opened at Tipton Sports Academy on Saturday, with over 150 people attending the ceremony including leader  of Sandwell Council Kerrie Carmichael and the mayor Councillor Syed Khatun MBE.

Invented in Mexico in the 1960s, Padel is a cross between tennis and squash but played on smaller courts enclosed with glass walls  - played in doubles, it  uses the tennis scoring system, with an underarm serve.

The new courts mark at £155,000 investment by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) which manages eight centres for the council and it will see the public get chance to participate in what is said to be the fastest growing participation sport globally.

Councillor Khatun cut the official opening ribbon and hit the first ball on the new courts and said: " I am always extremely proud of what we achieve and deliver in Sandwell and this is no exception as we open these wonderful new Padel courts at Tipton Sports Academy with our partners at Sandwell Leisure Trust.

" We hope bringing one of the fastest growing sports in the world to the borough will provide yet another opportunity for our residents to gettogether and enjoy something new whilst staying fit and active."

Chair of the SLT Board, Penny Venables added: “We always strive to provide high-quality leisure facilities that support the health and well-being of our community, so we are thrilled to bring the highly exciting and social game of Padel to Sandwell. 

"Inclusive and accessible community facilities like this make a real difference to people’s lives and we look forward to welcoming increasing numbers of players and enthusiasts locally and from across the region."

Bookings from the public can be made at https://www.slt-leisure.co.uk/padel/.