Stepping into a covered chamber, the echoes of a ball thudding against glass is the first thing that hits your ears. It's followed by grunts, straining, and the suckling clang of a coffee machine.

This corner of Heald Green has become home to one of the world's fastest-growing crazes. And it's louder than you might expect. This is Manchester Padel Club, a state-of-the-art facility that's becoming a major player.

Often described as a cross between tennis and squash, the sport has surged in popularity in the UK with more than 800,000 active players nationwide, according to recent Lawn Tennis Association research.

As I walked into the astroturfed lounge area, neatly tucked behind South Manchester Sports Club, the four main courts occupied by people of all ages and skill. To the untrained eye, the courts are essentially squashed tennis courts surrounded by glass.

In it's short lifespan, the club has already welcomed more than 17,000 players. it also has a centre court with seats, which were packed to the rafters when the club hosted a major Britain Padel Tour event last year.

It has welcomed the very best in one of the world's newest sports. And when Manchester Padel Club welcomed me, I wasn't expecting to be playing alongside a former top 10 professional.

His name was Leo Padovani, three-time international champion and renowned coach of former world No.1 Juan Martin Diaz – one of padel's all time greats.

He's now the head coach at Manchester Padel Club and was my doubles partner for the day. And somehow he carried me to victory over club founders David Thomas and Craig Mellor.

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Perhaps David's quickfire coaching session beforehand helped, but I'm sure if it was a competitive match I would've been targeted with a barrage of more difficult shots.

Admittedly, I wasn't a beginner to padel but when I stepped on court it was clear the ethos was to cater for all ranges of ability. The club is home to a mix of high-level players running through drills and those who had just picked up a racquet to have a social hit amongst friends.

High profile premier league footballers like David De Gea and even Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt have also been spotted at the club in its three-year history.

Padel is as social as it is competitive, the club's founders tell me. The club even hosted a dating event recently for those seeking love via sport. As club founder David Thomas says, 'people are ditching the pubs and picking up padel nowadays'.

With padel soon expected to become part of the Olympics, David explained it's time the UK catches up with countries producing elite talent such as Spain and Argentina.

To facilitate this, the Heald Green centre has launched its own padel academy – to find the next padel star ready to compete in future years.

As part of the Academy launch, Manchester Padel Club has announced a ten-year performance and development plan with emerging padel brand Touch Padel, setting out a long-term vision for the sport in the region.

It focuses on growing participation at grassroots level, developing junior pathways, supporting adult players of all standards, and creating a sustainable route for talented players to progress into county and national competition.

David Thomas, co-founder of Manchester Padel Club, added: "Padel is a sport that really is for everyone. You don't need a sporting background to enjoy it, and that's what makes it so powerful.

"We wanted to harness this, which is why we invested over £1m into our Club and Academy, providing the most experienced coaches in the UK and best facilities for our players. This is about giving beginners the confidence to start, giving juniors a place to belong, and making padel part of everyday life in Manchester and Cheshire.

"We look forward to welcoming the next generation of talent through our doors."

Trainees would also, they say, be introduced to a global network, with the Heald Green based club holding partnerships with Monaco, Madrid and Marbella padel schools to drive player development worldwide.

This network was started through David's connections to Europe, having played at a high level in and around Monaco. This club in Heald Green was his dream project that finally came to fruition in 2023, but his ambition is to create other Manchester Padel Club facilities elsewhere in the city-region.

He continued: "I wouldn't say it's a career opportunity for young people in the UK at the moment. What we want to do is make sure as many children as possible have the chance to play and leverage the expertise we've got at this club.

"It's unique to have someone like Leo in Manchester. There are lots of kids at the school next door that get to train with him. We already have schools coming in now. Rachel is the head of our junior programme, she is a former PE teacher at the International School of Monaco, and is well experienced in teaching kids.

"We also have another coach, Paul, who is a former GB senior player. So between Rachel, Paul and Leo, we probably have the most experienced coaching team in the UK.

"We want to get as many children as possible through our programme whatever level. Then bit by bit the base will build.

"We're not going into it saying we're going to create professional players. We are going to start off at a low base and get as many players as possible, if there is a professional that comes from it, great.

"Just enjoy it, is what I say. If you become a brilliant player, brilliant, but if not you'll make lots of friends from a new sport, which is why we all play."

Academy programmes will be available across multiple levels, from beginner through to competition, with flexible options for those looking to play socially or progress more seriously.

Academy programmes are available across multiple levels, with pricing starting from £22 per class.

By George Lythgoe