Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club was the epicenter of excitement on Friday, 23rd August, as it hosted a thrilling padel exhibition match. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 100 spectators, eager to witness some of the UK’s top padel players in action.
The exhibition match featured an impressive lineup, including UK number 1 Chris Salisbury, Sussex number 1 and newly appointed Sussex men’s team captain Mat Worden, UK number 14 Ethan Bardo, and Toby Bawden, an LTA Padel coach tutor and winner of the 2024 Jambalaya Open. These elite athletes showcased their exceptional skills and competitive spirit, captivating the audience with every point.
The event was expertly hosted by Matt Chilton, a renowned BBC Sports commentator, whose lively and insightful commentary added to the excitement of the evening. Also in attendance was Chichester MP Jess Brown-Fuller, showing her support for the local sporting community.
The success of the event was made possible by the generous support of sponsors Manuka Foods, Buzby and Blue, CI Optometrists, and The Prebendal School. Their contributions were instrumental in bringing this high-caliber exhibition to Chichester and promoting the growth of padel in the region.
“We are thrilled with the turnout and the level of play we witnessed today,” said a spokesperson for Chichester Racquets & Fitness Club. “It was an honor to host such talented players and to see so many members of our community come together to enjoy this fantastic sport.”
The club hopes that this exhibition match will inspire more local interest in padel, one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, and looks forward to hosting more events in the future.
