We’re thrilled to announce that Padel, one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, has been introduced as a new activity at St Clare’s! Padel is fast, fun, and social, which is perfect for students looking to try something new.
“I would describe Padel as a fast and skilled sport, which is a mixture of Tennis and Squash. The rules are similar to Tennis, but the game of Padel is way faster and smaller in terms of court, rackets and net height”. – Francisco (IB2)
Padel is a racket sport that is a mix of Tennis and Squash, played in doubles on a glass enclosed court with the possibility of using walls as part of the game. The court is smaller than Tennis and serves are hit differently.
“Padel is kind of like tennis mixed with squash. You play doubles on a smaller court with walls the ball can bounce off. The rackets are more solid, and it’s really quick and fun to learn”. – Andu (IB2)
The key differences between Tennis and Padel are the use of walls, a solid stringless racket and a lower pressure ball being used which are all unique features of Padel.
The new Padel activity takes place at Smash Padel Oxford, a modern Tennis and Padel complex, providing new, up to date equipment for every session. It consists of 3 newly built Padel courts.
We interviewed some of our students and staff to hear their thoughts on this exciting addition to our sports programme. We sat down with Kevin, our Head of Activities at St Clare’s, Oxford who is also the coach for this new activity.
What inspired you to introduce Padel as a new activity at St Clares?
K: I was inspired to introduce Padel because I wanted to expand our sports programme with something fresh, inclusive, and exciting. Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, and it appeals to a wide range of abilities. It’s easy to pick up, highly social, and encourages teamwork and communication.
I saw it as a great opportunity to engage more students in physical activity, especially those who might not typically take part in traditional sports like tennis or football. Introducing padel also aligns with our goal of promoting lifelong fitness habits and offering diverse sporting experiences that reflect modern trends in sport and recreation.
“I feel that it is nice that the school is trying to give the opportunity for students to learn and experience new types of sports”. – Francisco (IB2)
What do you think students will gain from taking part in Padel?
K: Physically, the game helps develop coordination, agility, and cardiovascular fitness, while its smaller court and fast-paced rallies keep players constantly moving and engaged.
On a social level, Padel encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, as it’s always played in doubles. Students will learn to work collaboratively, build trust with their partners, and develop strategic thinking in a fun, supportive environment.
Beyond the game itself, I believe Padel will boost students’ confidence, help them form new friendships, and foster a genuine enjoyment of being active, all of which contribute to their overall wellbeing and personal growth.
“Padel is easy to learn, fun to play with friends, and it is nice to have something different from the usual sports”. – Andu (IB2)
St Clare’s already offers competitive sports such as Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Badminton etc. Therefore, Padel is a good and unique addition to an already broad selection of sporting activities.
Padel has quickly become an exciting addition to St Clare’s sports programme, offering a new way to stay active and develop new skills. Within the first week, the activity was full, showing interest in the fast-paced and globally expanding Padel discipline.
Written by Vejas – IB26 student
Photos by Francisco – IB26 student