From Worthing to Valencia - and back again

How four padel players found more than a sport

Some friendships are made slowly. Others happen on a padel court on a Monday morning, and before you know it you're booking flights to Spain.

Maureen, Debbie, Sally, and Barbara first met at Padel Project Worthing. What started as a shared slot on the schedule became something none of them were necessarily looking for - a proper friendship group, a regular fixture at the local garden centre, and eventually, an international padel trip. This is their story.

Maureen, Debbie, Sally and Barbara in Valencia

Q. Take us back to the moment your paths first crossed at Worthing Padel Project - what does each of you remember about meeting one another?

Instant connection, welcoming and get togethers after deciding where to go Highdown Garden Centre is now the place, where they know us and on a Monday there can be 8 - 12 of us.

Q. Padel is still a relatively new sport for many people in the UK. What drew each of you to pick up a racket in the first place, and was it a slow-burn or instant love?

Introduced by friends and family, needed a new interest in our lives, loved the community of Padel Project Worthing, it was an instant love with Padel and the people!

Q. Was there a specific match, session, or moment at the club where you realised this group had clicked into something more than just hitting partners?

Monday open club morning turned into a little family, so popular now need to book well in advance.

Q. How would you describe the culture at Worthing Padel Project, and what role do you think it played in turning four individuals into a genuine friendship?

Culture is supportive, friendly, relaxing. We are motivated by such an encouraging manager/head coach in Ryan. We look forward to seeing each other, chatting and having fun playing padel!

Q. Whose idea was the Valencia trip, and how did the conversation go from "we should do this" to actually booking flights?

Garden centre chat, then trying to sort dates and availability then a bit of a lull. Then someone at the club mentioned Active Away, having been before for tennis and had booked a padel holiday before we were intending to go. Plans progressed, dates agreed at the garden centre, booking done, excitement started!

Q. Valencia is considered one of the spiritual homes of padel. What was it like playing there compared to your home courts in Worthing — courts, players, atmosphere, all of it?

We were at a resort an hour from Valencia, but the guaranteed sunshine all day with the resort nearby, being coached by Spanish semi professionals, learnt new techniques. Different setting felt we were on holiday too

Q. Tell us about the trip beyond the padel itself — the food, the city, the late nights, the in-jokes. What moment will you all still be laughing about in ten years?

Resort was an hour outside Valencia and a bit isolated no culture experienced unfortunately! Food and organised meals were excellent, such a laugh with others on our group who all attended the evening meals. The group gelled really well and we have been invited to each others clubs. Drinks after dinner in the bar was good fun and ended the night on a high but what's done and said on a padel holiday stays on a padel holiday!!! But we hope we will still be doing padel holidays in 10 years time. Already booked for September!

Q. Did playing together in a completely new environment change anything about how you play as a group, or how you see each other on court?

We remind each other of techniques we learnt, closeness of us as a group and wanting to include others on future padel trips because we had such a good time!

Q. For someone reading this who's curious about padel but hasn't picked up a racket yet — or who plays alone and hasn't found their people — what would you say to them? What's next for the four of you? Another trip, a tournament, a rivalry brewing — where does the story go from here?

Do it! You don't need experience just have a go you'll get addicted like us and definitely join the club socials. We have another trip booked in September in Portugal with extra people coming, plus we are planning to go again in May next year with more people again!!! In summary Project Padel Worthing has been a lifesaver for some of us.

It is a thriving community built by Ryan, he knows everyone by name, always encouraging and supportive, good sense of humour and he's always there! Leaf blowing in the winter, mending nets, emptying the bins, providing first aid, anything and everything. Updates regularly on WhatsApp with whats going on which encourages us to be part of the padel revolution!!