Whitgift triumphs in the inaugural UK Padel Schools Championships

Whitgift made a remarkable debut in the first-ever nationwide schools tournament for Padel, emerging victorious at the UK Padel Schools Championships. Held at Rocket Padel in St Anne’s, Bristol - the largest padel venue in the UK - the event saw over 21 teams from schools across the country come together to compete in this fast-growing sport. 

Padel, a hybrid between tennis and squash, is played on a court one-third the size of a tennis court. Its popularity has surged in recent years and has quickly gained a reputation as a sport that is fun, dynamic, and easy to learn.  

Whitgift Team One including David (Upper Sixth), Ehsan (Lower Sixth), Oscar (Fourth Form), and Jayden (Third Form) dominated throughout the tournament. They sealed their semi-final victory against Aylesbury 2-1 in a thrilling tiebreak shootout, winning 7-0. In the final, they overcame Millfield in another tight 2-1 match, clinching the title with a 7-3 tiebreak win. 

Team Two also delivered a commendable performance with Reuben (Lower Sixth), Lucas (Lower Sixth), Joshua (Fifth Form), and Sabar (Fifth Form) earning victory in the plate competition, showcasing their resilience and determination through the tournament. 

Students displayed exceptional skill and adaptability, applying their talents from tennis and squash to excel in the padel competition. Peter Power, Head of Racket Sports expressed his pride in the teams’ achievement: “The boys adapted incredibly well to padel, and we’re delighted to have been involved in the first schools' championships, and winning it makes it even more special.” 

Whitgift is incredibly proud of its students for their outstanding success in this competition, and the School looks forward to further participation in Padel as it continues to grow in popularity.