York St John University serves up three new padel courts at its Sports Park

Think you know your bandeja from your bajada?  
 
How does your chiquita compare with your cadete? 
 
If none of this makes any sense to you, then don’t fret. Just swing along to York St John University’s Sports Park to learn more about the exciting world of padel. 
 
With over 20 million players worldwide, with celebrities such as David Beckham and Serena Williams being huge fans, padel is played on a small, enclosed court, and combines elements of tennis, squash, and badminton. 
 
And the University’s Haxby Road Sports Park now has three new courts to enjoy the game on. The outdoor courts will be open all year round, and no previous experience or sports kit is required – all you need is enthusiasm and a padel racquet. And the latter can also be rented from the Sports Park if needed. 
 
Becky Barrett, Head of YSJ Active at York St John University, said there had been a huge demand for the creation of the new courts. 
 
“We have listened to the local community and acted on what has become a growing popularity for padel – especially across Europe, where padel is huge,” said Becky. 
 
“It is very ‘beginner friendly’ and a very social sport. It is seen as a chance to play, to chat, and to socialise. 
 
“It is a hugely popular racquet sport which is accessible to anyone, regardless of age, fitness level or ability.” 
 
Usually played in pairs, padel uses the same scoring system as tennis – but on half the size of a tennis court and enclosed by glass walls and meshing.  
 
YSJ Active will be running 6-week LTA Padel Xpress introduction courses at the Sports Park, and also looking to create leagues and matches. The Padel Xpress courses are being provided by York St John’s tennis and padel partner - Down the Line Tennis and Padel Academy - and can be booked via their website.  
 
The Sports Park courts will be bookable from the Playtomic website or app from Monday 8 September. Just search for York St John University Padel. You will also be able to put a call out on the app for players to join you. 
 
Introductory offers will be announced shortly on YSJ Active’s social media accounts - Facebook - YSJActive and Instagram – ysjactive. 
 
York St John University’s Sports Parks is located just 1 mile from the main campus in York city centre. It hosts a variety of sports and group/individual training areas, all open to the public, across its 57-acre site, including: 

• 6 grass pitches 

• 3 3G pitches (1 of which has recently resurfaced with cork, to make it more sustainable) 

• 3 indoor tennis courts  

• 1 outdoor tennis court, and 

• 100m sprint track. 

You can learn more about the facilities at York St John’s Sports Park, and how to book them, on our website.  
 
And for anyone still perplexed by the padel terms at the beginning of this article... 

• Bandeja – a defensive overhead shot 

• Bajada - an attacking overhead shot 

• Chiquita – a tactical, slow-paced shot 

• Cadete – a behind-the-back shot.