Sporting icons and celebrities joined padel pros in a star studded face off for the Pro AM Padel Tour.
The event arrived at Pure Padel in Manchester for its final leg of the 2024 tour on Wednesday. Footballing legends and athletes left their comfort zones to get stuck into a less familiar sport.
Former lioness and queen of the jungle Jill Scott MBE took to the court while Olympic icon Adam Peaty OBE joined the event alongside fellow swim sensation Matt Richards
Actor and former I’m a celebrity contestant Owen Warner couldn’t wait to get stuck in along with Coronation Street’s Ryan Thomas and Manchester football stars, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott and Katie Zelem.
Far from its origins in South America – the day aimed to raise the profile of padel here in the UK.
This muti-faceted event saw celebrities and influencers share their experiences of one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
Pure Padel is the latest addition to the Mancunian padel scene and the first in the city to offer indoor courts. It served as the ideal venue for an exciting schedule of padel games, taster sessions, activities and ultimately the competition where double teams of celeb and pro combos battle it out.
British stars Tia Norton (GB no.2), Hanna Maddock, Ellie Tait, Louie Harris (GB no.3), international players Helena Wyckaert (Belgian no.1) and Fredrik Ask (Norway no.1) were all inspiring in their performance and supported by other pros and local talent.
The experts and even the celebs were only too happy to share knowledge and advice with beginners from the community who were invited to try their hand.
Groups from Foundation 92, Manchester High School For Girls and Withington School For Girls received introductory taster sessions.
Community outreach forms an important part of the Pro Am Padel Tour.
Mancunian Matters journalists joined a taster session like no other – alongside presenter and Married at First Sight star Sophie Brown.
Sophie’s Mum – a legend in her own right who has dance credits including the Morecambe and Wise Show – joined us to form two doubles teams for a taster session. They have both played before and got us started with the basics.
England football star Jill Scott MBE told Mancunian matters it was an honour to be invited, although she admitted she “needed more practice” as she observed the pros ahead of the showdown.
Luckily she didn’t feel too much pressure playing something different, saying the best way to capture her abilities outside football is that she can “survive other sports”.
She added: “It’s definitely a sport where if you practice you can improve quite quickly and I think that’s why people get a bug for it.”
Jill predicted Katie Zelem and Izzy Christiansen would do well in padel. She said: “They’re very technical footballers so I do think it suits technical players because you have to be quite smart with it.”
Naturally, we couldn’t let one of the most decorated stars of football go without asking who she had her eye on for player of the season. The former midfielder said, when pressed, she has enjoyed watching Mo Saleh.
Owen Warner was an enthusiastic player and eager to be on the court. He told Mancunian Matters he’s been playing Padel since the summer.
He’s loving it and assures “it doesn’t matter what level you are at, you just have a good game”. Owen is constantly busy so attends clubs all over – reinforcing the message that it’s a welcoming and inclusive sport.
The Hollyoaks actor turned Hits presenter is also known for his time in the jungle and told Mancunian Matters: “I miss it!”
The celebs and professionals played a series of action packed sets to find the day’s Pro AM Padel Tour winners.
Actor Ryan Thomas & pro Alfonso Patacho snatched the men’s title whilst Presenter Kyle Walker & Belgian pro Helena Wyckaert won the mixed pro exhibition tournament.
Phil Jones and Katie Zelem were named most valuable players. Katie said she loved learning from the pros and Phil Jones had “an amazing day” at “first class” facilities.
While not everyone could win on the day, the message from the elites, celebrities and amateurs remains the same – get involved!
The number of places to play is rising and Pure Padel is just one court in the Manchester area where you could begin your padel journey.
All images courtesy of Pro AM Padel Tour
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