Padel tennis launched at Naas Tennis Club

Naas Lawn Tennis Club officially opened their state of the art Padel Courts last week. This project, sponsored by Sheehy and their representative, David Bobal attended the event and mentioned Sheehy Motors were delighted to be involved in the promotion of sports.

The construction of the Padel courts was the responsibility of the company ‘Set to Win’ and they were represented by Edel Clarke and Eileen Ring at the opening.

All the members in attendance enjoyed the refreshments and pastries provided by La Pause Café, Naas, while they watched the elite Irish Padel players ,who played an exhibition match and display their talents and promote Padel Tennis at the highest level.

Padel Tennis is a racquet sport which originated in Mexico and is now widely played throughout the world. It is typically played in doubles on an enclosed court slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court. It shares the same scoring system as tennis, the rules, strokes and technique are different. The main differences are that the court has walls and the balls can be played off the walls in a similar manner as in a game of squash and solid, string-less bats are used.

Padel is one of the world’s fastest growing sports and is particularly popular in Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Naas LTC has now joined Rathgar LTC, Bushy Park Padel, Bective LTC and Celbridge Indoor Courts Complex as a venue to play Padel Tennis in Ireland.

The spectators were treated to a feast of Padel tennis played by Susan McCran and Mia Smyth ; both players on Team Ireland who will play in an international tournament in Lisbon in November. They were joined by Katie Nolan and Ashling Whyte; the reigning Padel champions who won the recent Club Championship in Naas LTC.

It was a very entertaining match and thoroughly enjoyed by the enthusiastic spectators who were hoping to pick up some useful tips and enhance their game of Padel Tennis.

The men’s exhibition match was equally as exciting. Ian O’ Connell , Ireland’s present champion joined by fellow Ireland player Kevin O’Brien . Both players have recently joined Naas LTC and this will certainly assist in the development of the game within the club.

Peter Lowther, a tennis coach in Naas LTC also showed his skills and represents Ireland on the Team Ireland Vets’ Team. An international player was also involved in this absorbing men’s doubles match was Charlie Barbera Miron who is presently a coach in Fitzwilliam Club.

David Doyle, Naas LTC Chairperson, thanked all the committee and those who worked tirelessly to introduce Padel Tennis and organise the construction and maintenance of the courts. He invited James Lawless TD to officially open the Padel courts.

James Lawless congratulated Naas LTC and all those who steered this initiative to fruition as Naas LTC play an integral role in the sports’ community in Naas.

He applauded the initiative of the various committees who have developed the club with the aid of financial grants from the various sporting bodies including Sport Ireland and wished the present committee all the best in their recent application for a Sports Capital Grant through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for regional funding to further enhance the facilities in the club.

Naas LTC is a very proactive club , always striving to improve and develop the amenities for all its members and hence creating a very enjoyable venue to enjoy sport in the heart of the Naas community.

The official ceremony was followed by the ‘Super Friday Event’ a social Padel and tennis event which was even more enjoyable on such a balmy evening. This event will be a monthly activity where all members can meet and enjoy a social evening with fellow members and new members.

Naas LTC is going from strength to strength and the addition of these new Padel courts adds another dimension to already very active club.