Napton Padel Club

We had very much hoped that by the time we wrote this newsletter, we would be reporting construction of our two padel courts was underway. Frustratingly, we're not quite there yet. We appreciate that our updates over recent months have sounded similar, but we want to keep everyone informed, even when there are only small steps to report. So, where are we?

• Planning permission has been secured.
• Full funding for the two courts is in place.
• Our contractor has been appointed, and initial on-site planning meetings have been completed.
• 146 people have registered on our Founding Member priority list, expressing an interest in joining the club once the courts are open and ready to play.
• Our website continues to attract significant and regular interest.

The one remaining step is completion of the lease. As you will be aware, the land on which we plan to build the courts is owned by the Diocese of Coventry, with Napton Parish Council (NPC) holding the existing lease. Before NPC can grant Napton Padel Club its own lease, it requires formal approval from the Diocese. The Council has confirmed that it is ready to sign our lease as soon as that approval is received. We continue to follow this up and are doing everything we can to bring the process to a speedy conclusion.

We are very conscious that the delay is eating into the construction window, particularly as winter approaches. However, our contractor has experience of constructing courts during the winter months and remains confident that, once we receive the go-ahead, work can begin quickly.

As a charity, our aim is to build and operate two padel courts in Napton for the benefit of the wider community, and we are particularly keen to give local young people the opportunity to experience and enjoy padel. We therefore plan to offer free court time and organised sessions for children attending St Lawrence Church of England Primary School. As the club becomes established, our ambition is also to use the success of the courts to support and invest in other local sporting facilities and initiatives.

We are already in discussions with padel coaches and are considering programmes that will provide a good balance between coaching and general court availability, catering for all standards of player from complete beginners through to advanced players. We're also planning regular open social padel sessions, which will be a great way to meet other players, find new playing partners and get to know fellow members.

Thank you to all our volunteers, supporters and prospective founding members for your continuing patience, enthusiasm and support. That support has enabled the project to progress from an idea to a fully funded, fully planned and construction-ready community facility. We remain convinced that the courts will be a fantastic addition to Napton and the surrounding villages.

As ever, we are extremely grateful to RMF Raised Modular Flooring for their continuing support and sponsorship of Napton Padel Club.