Anger at plan to convert Olympic Park tennis courts to padel
Indoor courts at the Olympic tennis centre are set to be replaced by padel courts, prompting a backlash from 'extremely livid' local residents and wheelchair tennis players.
The Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre informed members by email on Tuesday that it was converting its indoor hall of four tennis courts into seven double and two single padel courts to 'grow participation across all ages'.
The email said that the centre was planning for work to begin this summer and finish by the autumn, with scheduled courses moved to its six remaining outdoor courts.
However, within two days 650 locals had signed a petition calling for a reversal of the decision, which has been labelled 'disappointing' by the Lawn Tennis Association less than a week before Wimbledon.
The petition was started by James Labous, a father of two from Walthamstow, east London, who has been playing tennis there for ten years. 'Indoor courts are actually vital for the tennis infrastructure in this country, considering our climate,' he said.
• How padel fever is making a racket all over Ireland
'There aren't enough indoor courts in the country and that's probably why the sport isn't played all year round and partly why we're not developing the players we should be. This facility is a jewel and it's going to be lost.'
The centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was purpose-built for the 2012 Paralympics — the Olympic tennis was hosted at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon — and opened to the public in 2014 after a £30 million renovation.
The indoor courts, Labous said, are rarely available to book on weekday evenings due to their popularity, with sessions for university groups and some 'really promising juniors'.
He said regular players at the centre were 'all extremely livid'.
'It's an Olympic legacy site, it's state-of-the-art, it's a wheelchair-accessible centre,' he said, 'There was no consultation with the users of the centre. They're clearly trying to push this through really quickly.'
Labous described the pay-as-you-go courts as inclusive, unlike several 'stuffy tennis clubs' in the country, adding that the year-round coaching was good value.
He questioned why the centre could not redevelop other spaces, such as one of two car parks.
Manoj Soma, the founder of Choice International UK, a disability equality charity, has been coaching and managing wheelchair tennis sessions at Lee Valley every Sunday for almost five years.
'I was extremely disappointed, because this was one of the only fully accessible, disabled-friendly venues in east London,' he said of the decision.
Although he welcomed the opportunity for disabled people to try padel, he said: 'Wheelchair tennis is one of the paralympic sports — not padel as far as I am aware.'
Soma said he had not been consulted about the change. He questioned why the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA), which owns the centre, had not proposed converting only some of the indoor courts or even creating outdoor padel spaces.
• Andy Murray to get a statue at Wimbledon
The LVRPA, a public authority part-funded by a council tax levy, did not hold a public consultation before announcing the plans, which will cost £490,347.
Shaun Dawson, chief executive of the LVRPA, said that the Better leisure centre group, which operates the facility, had originally come to him with a proposal for padel courts.
He said the LVRPA had rejected an earlier 'hybrid' proposal to retain some of the indoor tennis courts due to volume levels of padel alongside tennis. He said that they did not consider building a new structure on the site as it was designated Metropolitan Open Land, making planning approval more difficult.
'We want to make it far busier, more inclusive, more accessible in terms of different sports, and clearly there's a bottom-line dimension to that as well: more footfall makes the venue more viable and sustainable in the long term,' Dawson said.
There will be nine padel courts, which he said would be available to rent for a 'similar price' to the four current courts, which were recently increased to £30 an hour.
'This isn't about running down tennis, it's about diversifying the offer,' he added. 'Padel is exploding in popularity. It's a smaller racket, it's just an easier game to play for more people.
'The Olympic legacy evolves, it doesn't stand still. We need to respond to trends and that's what we're doing.'
A Lawn Tennis Association spokesman said: 'These plans are particularly disappointing as the LTA and Tennis Foundation invested half a million pounds in the original tennis facility and we understand the indoor tennis courts are heavily used.
'The data cited by LVRPA on tennis participation is incorrect. We will be engaging with the LVRPA and the operator GLL [Better] to encourage them to consider other options that can see both tennis and padel played on site.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Lauren Hemp is the Lionesses' quiet star who could have been a cricketer, writes TARA ANSON-WALSH - but she's ready to take centre stage at the Euros
Lauren Hemp wanders into a padel club in Manchester on a sunny Saturday afternoon to very little fanfare. She's greeted at the door by the owner, but beyond that, people are too preoccupied with the sweaty battles going on inside their glass cages to pay much attention to what's going on outside – or to the Manchester City and England footballer who has just walked into their midst. And this is just the way Hemp likes it – without too much fuss. 'I do get nervous speaking,' Hemp says as she sits down to talk with Mail Sport, which is perfectly understandable. The women's game has grown at a breakneck pace, and many players are still growing accustomed to the intense media scrutiny that comes with being an England player. 'I feel like on the pitch is where I feel most comfortable,' she says. 'When I get on the pitch all my nerves go away, and I feel so confident – that's the way I express myself. 'Off it, I feel like I'm quieter, more reserved. I get on with everyone I meet, but I don't take centre stage. I'm not one to put myself out there. I'm pretty chilled and laid-back. But then when I'm on the pitch, it feels like something just changes. A spark ignites in me.' The problem is, Hemp deserves far more recognition. At just 24, she's already a European champion and World Cup finalist. She's the youngest player to reach 50 goals in the Women's Super League (WSL), has won a record four consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards – more than anyone in the competition's history, male or female – and was nominated for the Ballon d'Or last year. Add an FA Cup and League Cup to that list for good measure. Those who follow the women's game closely understand just how vital Hemp is to the Lionesses' hopes of defending their Euros title this summer. After playing every game of the Euro 2022 success in her first major tournament, including whipping in the corner for Chloe Kelly's final winner, her star has been on an infinite, upward trajectory. Yet her quiet nature off the pitch has often left her overshadowed in the wider public eye, as louder personalities have dominated the spotlight. That said, a fully fit and fired-up Hemp is really all England need. At just 5ft 5in, she's one of the quickest players in the game. When Mail Sport asked the Lionesses which teammate they'd back for pace, the response was unanimous: 'Hempo'. Her directness is refreshing at Manchester City, where the team's possession-heavy style can sometimes test the patience of fans. A naturally left-footed winger with extraordinary ball-carrying ability, Hemp never shies away from taking on defenders – and whenever she gets on the ball, seats inevitably start to bang. Hemp topped the WSL assist leaderboard for the second consecutive time this season – an incredible feat given she spent half of it on the bench, playing just 10 of the 22 league games. And when she's not setting up her England or City teammates, Hemp is scoring the goals herself – her opener in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against Australia was one of the tournament's defining moments. Asked what she attributes her meteoric rise to, Hemp replies: 'I don't know. I feel like whenever I get accolades like PFA Young Player of the Year, one thing I haven't done – which I wish I maybe did do – was celebrate it. I've always thought, 'You won that, nice one, right on to the next.' I've always thought about the thing after. 'I've made the Ballon d'Or list, and now I want to get one step closer. Things like that – just taking every game as it comes, and every accolade that I get along the way is great, and I want to win as many trophies as I can. Equally, I don't put too much pressure on myself. I remind myself that I love playing football, and that's how I perform at my best.' Hemp's sporting prowess When we meet at The Padel Club near the Trafford Centre, Hemp unexpectedly arrives dressed in jeans. Having only recently returned from injury, she wisely decides to sit out – unwilling to risk the summer ahead. Still, padel has become a part of her life, and just talking about it stirs her natural competitiveness. 'There's a padel court near where I live and me and my girlfriend (former Liverpool player Ashley Hodson) tried it one day. Turns out I was actually quite good. I let her be on my team and we took two other players on,' she says, grinning. 'I used to like tennis as well. I think I'm one of those annoying kids that was good at every sport. But it's nice to get together and do something other than football. I play a lot with my City teammates.' The Norfolk native is under-selling herself. She was more than just 'good' at other sports – she might have gone on to play cricket professionally. As for football, it was only because her dad used to take her to Norwich to watch her older sister Amy – a promising youth footballer whose career was cut short by double ACL injuries – that she ended up giving it a try. 'I wasn't really interested in playing football, to be honest. I'd be on the sidelines, not even watching the game. But when I was around seven, my dad took me to a trial, and I just joined in with my sister for a bit. Turned out I was actually pretty decent,' she laughs. 'As a kid it was always cricket in the summer, football in the winter. But as I got older, football became more of a full-time thing and I couldn't commit to both. 'It got to the point where I had to make a choice. When I was 15, Norwich City's Girls' Centre of Excellence – where I was training – shut down, and I had to think seriously about my future and how to get the best out of myself. 'There weren't any teams around me where I was going to be able to keep playing football, so I took the decision to join Bristol City, but I was really sad to stop playing cricket. I'd even started going to England camps – little weekend things – for cricket as well.' After two standout seasons at Bristol – where she was named PFA Young Player of the Year in her debut WSL campaign – Hemp moved to Manchester City in 2018, and the focus has remained firmly on football ever since. Return in time for Switzerland Now we turn to this summer's Euros and the difficult, drawn-out rehab that nearly cost her a place. 'I tore my meniscus last November. I had a scan on it, and I was told I was going to be out for two to three months with a repair. I got it repaired and I was coming back, I was back on the pitch and I was feeling good, feeling confident,' she says. 'And then it was getting a bit irritable when I was out on the pitch and I thought, 'This is a bit weird'. I was coming up to being ready to play. I had a scan and I was told I had to get a re-surgery. 'The recovery was a lot less than the time I had originally – it was around four to six weeks – but I ended up being out for a lot longer than I thought it would be. It was about six months in total. 'The bit that was probably the hardest was thinking that I'm so close to being back and then that being taken away – and then feeling like I was back to square one, even though it wasn't. That was probably the hardest part. Because if I'd been told at the start it was going to be six months, I'd have been able to mentally prepare myself for that. But when you're on the way back and you're thinking that you're nearly there – that was tough.' Still, she kept her sights on the summer, as England prepare for a difficult group stage against France, Netherlands and Wales. Hemp kept her sights on the summer, as England prepare for a difficult group stage against France, Netherlands and Wales 'Of course, my priority was always with City, but long term I was thinking about this summer – and that was a real driver for me. And then to finally get the call from Sarina to say that I was going to the Euros, it was a massive relief. I was so happy and I was quick to call my parents and tell them, because it means so much to me to play for England.' As the conversation winds down – after detours into her worst padel opponent ('Grace Clinton!') and childhood heroes ('Kelly Smith, Karen Carney, Jill Scott') – we come to one final question: how does she want to be remembered? 'The thing that I pride myself in is doing anything for the team, and I want people to think that no matter what, I'd run through a brick wall for my team,' she says, before adding: 'I'd love to go down as one of the best wingers in the world.' At just 24, and with the trajectory she's on, that goal feels well within reach. But first it's off to Switzerland where Hemp can get back to doing what she does best, letting her football do the talking.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The inspirational football club helping everyone enjoy the beautiful game - as England captain Leah Williamson pays it a visit
Ever been told football is a 'man's game'? One up-and-coming footballer, Fleur Cousens, grew so sick of hearing this claim that she decided to start her own grassroots club dedicated to proving football didn't need to be gendered. The young coach founded Goal Diggers FC in 2015, and it's since grown into a welcoming, vibrant community that gives everyone the chance to experience the joy of becoming part of a team, regardless of their ability or experience. After all, football doesn't just build athletes, it builds futures. By helping individuals feel part of something bigger, it gives them the confidence and motivation to succeed in other areas of life too. Fleur's success with Goal Diggers has attracted the attention of none other than England captain Leah Williamson OBE, who visited the club's base in north London to hear how they were helping more women take up football. 'It was me and 10 boys!' Fleur on how she began her coaching career Going through any form of assessment can be daunting, but it's even more so when you stand out from everyone else taking part. 'When I did the coaching course it was just me with 10 teenage boys,' she says. 'I was able to show my skills - with respect to the teenage boys - and I started coaching right away.' The footballing legend was recently named one of Weetabix's 'all-star' athletes joining Sir Mo Farah, Ade Adepitan MBE and Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill to help the nation achieve their goals bix by bix, a role she's using to help further her mission of getting more women and girls into the beautiful game. A video of the visit shows Fleur telling Leah about her inspiration for starting Goal Diggers, and how it's gone on to change her life. 'I was fed up of being told football was a man's game - so the whole point of Goal Diggers is to make sure that no one's ever told no,' she says. 'Football has the power to change lives. Goal Diggers is my world, it's my community, it's where I feel most myself.' Meanwhile, other players share how the club has helped them find a community that now goes far beyond football, even though that's what brought them together. The footballer is deeply impressed by Fleur's achievement, telling her: 'The power of football is that you're one of many, so to tap into that is fantastic. 'I think when I reflect on my career it will be the people I think about more than anything else.' Goal Diggers is a shining example of what can happen when everyone is given the tools and support they need to achieve their ambitions. The chance to start playing football in a supportive and friendly environment has proved popular, with the side now boasting more than 200 members. Great starts are still central to Leah's success too, which is why she chooses Weetabix as her pre-match meal. 'A bit of Weetabix with milk suits me perfectly - I'm a plain girl anyway!' she tells Fleur while they break away from training to enjoy a bowl. But while not all of us are running out for England, we are all facing our own challenges every single day. And to do so with confidence, with energy and focus, we can learn from the Weetabix all-stars about what everyday habits help them be the best they can. From having a healthy breakfast to set you up for the day to joining in team sports to boost self-confidence and feel part of something bigger, there are many tips we can take from these top athletes. And let's share their secrets! Success is all about proper preparation, and by making Weetabix, part of this you can have a little bit of help to take on whatever the day brings**. And, just like that, we can all help Britain chase its ambitions Bix by Bix. Buy to send a FREE 24-pack of Weetabix* and give a great start to someone's day Give a great start to someone's day: Send a FREE pack of Weetabix Have you had your Weetabix? Feels amazing, doesn't it? Now you can do your bit to help rebuild Britain Bix by Bix by gifting a free 24-pack of Weetabix to a friend or relative who could benefit from an extra boost during a busy week. This could be anyone, from a friend who's training for a marathon to a parent wanting to feel energetic ahead of the school holidays. All you need to do is buy a Weetabix 48 or 24-pack and scan the QR code on display. This will then allow you to choose who you want to send a free 24-pack. Whoever it is, they'll be sure to thank you! *Weetabix 48 pack or 24 pack, scan the QR code on the display or visit to enter. **Weetabix is a good source of Thiamin, Niacin, folic acid which contributes to normal psychological function as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Weetabix is a good source of Iron which contributes to normal cognitive function as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Weetabix is a good source of Riboflavin, Niacin, Folic Acid and Iron which contribute to reduction of tiredness and fatigue as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Reuters
Alcaraz, Sinner would benefit from new Big Three, McEnroe says
June 25 (Reuters) - The emergence of a third young star to challenge the supremacy of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner would push the duo's already scintillating rivalry to new heights, tennis great John McEnroe said. Alcaraz and Sinner are coming off a French Open final for the ages and head into next week's Wimbledon having evenly split the last six majors between them. "It's going to be an interesting time to see if there's another player or two who can break in with those two the way Novak (Djokovic) did when he was trying to get to the same level as Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal)," McEnroe told reporters on Wednesday. "It shows you what type of a player he was that he was able to do that. But right now, there's a void." Djokovic, Federer and Nadal enjoyed a two-decade stranglehold on men's tennis and their era of dominance was made even richer by the three-sided nature of the rivalry. In a Roland Garros showdown of unsurpassed quality, 22-year-old Alcaraz of Spain saved three successive match points to battle back from two sets down and beat the Italian in the longest French Open final in history. Miami Open champion Jakub Mensik, 19, and 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca are two teenagers McEnroe could envision breaking into the Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry, as well as big-serving American Ben Shelton. "One of those two guys or Ben would be my choice right now," said seven-time Grand Slam champion McEnroe. "I think it would be important to get another guy or two to add to the mix. That would be really helpful." McEnroe said the future of men's tennis is in great hands provided Alcaraz, who is seeking a hat-trick of Wimbledon titles next month, and world number one Sinner stay healthy. "It was unheard of what we watched over the last 20 years and you can make the argument that what we're seeing now is even faster and different from what we saw even five years ago," he said. "I can't wait to see what it's going to be like in 10 years, or five years even."
