The rise of padel in the Channel Islands

Padel's "social atmosphere" has helped grow the sport in the Channel Islands, according to participants

Channel Islands padel players have said the racquet sport was "seriously taking over" as one club reported a 40% rise in memberships since 2023.

The sport, which is played regularly in Jersey and Guernsey, is described as a tennis-squash hybrid.

Olly Cull, who is ranked 11th in British padel, said the sport was "growing massively" and top tennis players were worried about its rise.

Guernsey Padel and Tennis Club said the introduction of padel had also spurred renewed interest in tennis.

Olly Cull says top tennis players are "worried" about padel's rise

The club said padel memberships had grown by about 40% since 2023, with a 12% increase in tennis memberships over the same period.

"A more vibrant centre has increased popularity in both sports," it added.

"There are many people who play both sports."

Mr Cull said he started playing padel when he moved to Guernsey three years ago after growing up playing tennis.

"Tennis, when I was growing up, was always 'I'm the best' - there wasn't much of a community," he said.

"Padel is a really good social sport.

"I was just in America last week and even there it's growing massively.

"Padel is seriously taking over and I think a lot of tennis players are getting quite worried about how much it's taking over."

A "relaxed vibe" for padel has helped its growth, says Jersey player Emma Devenport

Island Padel has hosted four inter-insular competitions, with 64 athletes competing across men, ladies and veteran categories.

The facility is run by Scott Clayton, who has previously competed at Wimbledon in doubles on tennis and ranked just outside the top 100 in the world.

"Tennis is typically a very difficult game to play unless you've been brought up playing it," he said.

"Tennis is never going to be damaged. It's a massive sport and it's so big.

"I just think the accessibility of tennis is difficult, from a playing perspective but also financial.

"Our ethos at Island Padel is all about inclusivity and community."

Island Padel owner Scott Clayton with Jersey competitor Emma Devenport who say "community" is key to the sport's growth

Emma Devenport, who plays in Jersey's women's padel team, said there had been "exponential growth" in padel facilities across the UK.

"It's still a relatively new sport, so there's a lot of excitement behind it," she said.

"The fact you can turn up after work and you might have one lady and three men or vice versa, it's a social element to the game, a relaxed vibe, and it's appealing.

"So I can see there is a threat to tennis, in a way.

"I think [tennis] will always be an amazing game but [padel] is a slightly more relaxed vibe and I think it's appealing."