Coventry's first centre dedicated to emerging sport opening this summer

A brand new hub dedicated in an emerging sport will be the first of its kind in Coventry. Padel, a racquet game consisting of elements of tennis and squash, is one of the fastest growing

sports in the UK. While courts have been popping up at existing sport and leisure centres in the region, a couple of childhood pals look set to open a site solely dedicated to it - said to

be the first in the area. Padel Studios, on Paragon Way, Bayton Road Industrial Estate, will open this summer. READ MORE: COVENTRY PUB CLOSED FOR YEARS SET TO REOPEN THIS WEEK Preet Bains

and childhood best friend Aman Choudhury, both 25, have quit their full time jobs as auditors at EY Birmingham to put all their time and energy into the new venture. Talking about the sport,

Preet told CoventryLive: "Padel has become the fast-growing sport in the UK due to how easily accessible it is for all players from beginners to athletes, young to old. Many Padel

players have described it as being 'easy to learn, hard to master'. "Due to the court being smaller and with the glass panels surrounding the court, it allows for players to

have fun and long rallies from the very first session which is why so many players have found the sport fun and addictive. "With Padel being played in doubles, it also provides a great

opportunity for people to build friendships and meet new people. The sport has blown up in Europe and the UAE with many sporting athletes and celebrities taken up the sport such as Andy

Murray and Jos Buttler." Talking of the the pair's hopes for the new venture, Preet wants to support growth for the sport but also give back to residents and become a part of the

wider community. "The goal is to grow the sport and build up a Padel community in Coventry," said Preet. "With the space we want to create somewhere people can build

connections and have fun while also improving the health and wellbeing of our community. "We're planning on running summer camps for kids to help grow the sport, collaborating with

the local sports clubs as we've seen Padel being taken up and enjoyed from players with other sporting backgrounds. We aim to be a space where Coventry residents can come together,

stay active and have fun." Preet and Aman plan to encourage this community feel through capitalising on technology. Sessions will be available to book via the Playtomic app where

players can book either private matches with their friends and family or can book open matches where they can play against other players in the community. Plans are also afoot for a Padel

& Coffee Club for all our early bird players, as well as socials such as Padel & Pilates, Intro to Padel, Ladies only, Seniors only. The centre will open with a launch party on the

21 June. Opening times will be 6am to 11pm.