TSA is one of eight centres maintained and run by Sandwell Leisure Trust (SLT) on behalf of Sandwell Council – and Council CEO Shokat Lal and SLT CEO Mark Braithwaite, tried out the new courts for the very first time along with leading UK ranked professionals Tia Norton and George Weller.

The three new ‘indoor’ courts (a key advantage regionally as padel at TSA can be enjoyed all year round) marks a £155,000 investment to bring the sport to the area.

Shokat Lal, chief executive of Sandwell Council, said: 'This is another first for the borough and I am thrilled we are bringing padel, the fastest growing participation sport in the world, right here to Tipton with our partners at Sandwell Leisure Trust. We continue to innovate and capitalise on new opportunities to make Sandwell a thriving and exciting borough in which to live, work and enjoy leisure time.'

Mark Braithwaite, chief executive at Sandwell Leisure Trust and already an avid padel player, added: 'I am delighted to be bringing these fantastic indoor padel courts to Tipton Sports Academy as we continue to look for new ways to engage more people in physical activity and enjoy healthy lives. Playing padel is an ideal way to socialise with family, friends, or other enthusiasts for a fun game, because it’s so easy to play and pick up for all ages, abilities and fitness levels.'

Tia Norton is ranked three in the UK and in December 2024 became the first British woman in history to play in a Premier Padel event (the equivalent of a ‘major’) echoing her achievement as a 17-year-old and the first Brit to compete on the World Padel Pro Tour. She says: 'As a fellow Midlander it’s always fantastic to see more courts being put up in the region. It’s vital that the sport is made accessible via community facilities like this one, so that people from all walks of life are able to experience the buzz and excitement of padel together.'