Olympic heptathlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and three-time squash world champion Nick Matthew doubled up in Calver over the weekend to officially open the Peak District’s first padel facility.

As previously reported, a trio of local residents has built two new courts for the booming racket sport on a disused area of land owned by the Calver and District Sports Association.

Word has been spreading over the summer, drawing more and more players to the site, and on Saturday, September 5, Sheffield-born stars Jessica and Nick – both keen padel players – took their own daytrip out to the peaks for a ceremonial game.

Nick said: “It was a privilege to officially open Peak District Padel. It’s fantastic to see such high-quality outdoor courts being created for the local community to enjoy what is such a great and rapidly growing sport.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, left, with Peak District Padel directors Tom Elsworth, Max Lloyd and Richard Cronin. (Photo: Contributed)

placeholder image — Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, left, with Peak District Padel directors Tom Elsworth, Max Lloyd and Richard Cronin. (Photo: Contributed)

“With the venue within easy reach of Chesterfield, Sheffield and Buxton, it’s also in a brilliant location for people from across the area who want to experience outdoor padel on a premium playing surface. I’m sure it will introduce many more people to the sport.”

A large crowd attended the grand opening, with spectators enjoying a high-quality exhibition of padel before taking the courts themselves to try it out, many newcomers among them.

Guests were also provided complimentary refreshments from the Calver Arms, principal sponsor of Peak District Padel (PDP).

PDP co-director Richard Cronin said: “It was brilliant to see so many people here enjoying the courts and trying out padel, in many cases for the first time. To have Nick officially open the facility and then to see both Nick and Jess playing in the exhibition matches made it a really special day.

Nick Matthew, left, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the courts. (Photo: Contributed)

“One of the things we love about padel is that it really is a sport for all generations and abilities. We are already seeing younger players, families and older players all enjoying the same sport.

“Being based in the Peak District, we really want to encourage people to remain active, spend time outdoors and enjoy sport in a fantastic setting. Padel is a very sociable and accessible sport and people can start enjoying it extremely quickly.”

PDP currently has two brand-new premium courts, with planning permission already secured for a third court to be installed in the future.

Typically played as doubles on an enclosed court and combines elements of tennis and squash, padel’s accessibility and social nature have helped drive its rapid rise in popularity in the UK and around the world.

The facility has been built to generate a rental income for the Calver and District Sports Association. (Photo: Contributed)

Courts can be booked through Playtomic and its mobile app, and the price includes everything needed to get playing.

PDP co-director Max Llloyd said: “You don’t need to be a member to play here and you don’t need to own any equipment. We provide racket and ball rental free of charge, so people can simply book a court on playtomic.com, come along and give it a try.”

For more information, visit peakdistrictpadel.co.uk.