Padel - a blend of Tennis and Squash

The dynamic sport of Padel, an engaging addition to your school's sports curriculum! Padel, a blend of tennis and squash, is played on a smaller, enclosed court, making it perfect for students of all skill levels. It's a sociable game that emphasizes teamwork and strategy, ideal for fostering camaraderie among students.

Padel Court Features

Size: A compact 20x10 meters, enclosed by a 4-meter high fence
Design: The courts feature durable steel frames and tempered glass panels, allowing for creative shots off the walls
This fast growing sport maximises available school space

Padel for school and after school

Physical Fitness: It's a full-body workout that improves endurance, cardiovascular health, and muscle strength. Playing padel can burn over 400 calories, making it a great way for students to stay active. https://www.lta.org.uk/play/ways-to-play/padel/what-are-the-benefits-of-playing-padel/

Inclusivity and ease of learning

• Inclusivity: Suitable for all fitness levels and ages. Padel allows students with different abilities to play together, fostering an inclusive environment. https://www.aandslandscape.co.uk/sports/padel/

• Ease of Learning: The simple techniques of padel make it easy for beginners to pick up the game quickly, ensuring that students can enjoy the physical and mental benefits from day one. https://www.lta.org.uk/play/ways-to-play/padel/what-are-the-benefits-of-playing-padel/

Overall, Padel can be a valuable addition to any school's sports curriculum, offering a fun, sociable, and healthy activity for students.

Sustainable Urban Drainage and sub-layers

In the UK, there isn't a national requirement for all schools to be SuDS (Surface Water Drainage and Erosion Control) compliant. However, some schools and educational institutions are incorporating SuDS principles into their designs or implementing SuDS-friendly measures.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published guidance on the design of educational facilities that incorporates SuDS principles to manage flood risk and improve water quality. This guidance is not mandatory for all schools but it serves as a best practice recommendation.

That being said, some schools and local authorities are adopting SuDS principles in their design or maintenance plans due to various factors such as:

1. Local Flood Risk Assessments (LRAs) that require schools to mitigate flood risk.
2. Water quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing stormwater runoff and improving water bodies.
3. Sustainability and environmental considerations.

Some examples of UK institutions that have adopted SuDS principles or implemented green infrastructure include:
* The University of Cambridge, which has incorporated green roofs and rain gardens into its campus design to manage stormwater runoff.
* The Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) garden at Wisley which features a permeable paver system to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality.
* Local authorities such as the London Borough of Croydon which has implemented SuDS measures in school playgrounds and flood defenses.

It is essential to note that specific requirements for SuDS compliance can vary depending on factors like location, local regulations and the school's flood risk status.
MOT (Ministry of Transport) Type 1 is used to create an easily compacted base layer. The thickness of the MOT Type 1 sub-base will depend on the site ground conditions and can vary from 100mm to 300mm. It must be compacted in layers no more than 100mm.
If there is a specific requirement for the sub base to be SuDS complient, an MOT type 3 aggrogate blend should be used. It should be noted that it is harder to compact MOT type 3 so sub base wash out may occur long term.

We recommend a local groundworks company is sourced to prepare sub-layers before MonsterMulch who are based in Teesside are employed to lay the rubber surfacing.