A corporate padel competition which was launched this year to unite professionals across Bristol is set to expand after its inaugural season was hailed a success by organisers.
Bristol’s first ever Corporate Padel League has not only brought together people from companies across the city’s business community but it has also raised valuable funds for the Bristol Bears Foundation.
The league has proved popular across the commercial sector and was contested by 30 players representing 12 local companies with 56 matches taking place at The Padel Team sports complex, on Barrow Road, Lawrence Hill.
The competition has been such a hit with local businesses that the expansion of the league is now being actively considered by the partnership behind the initiative.
Organised by The Padel Team and fit-out specialists, Morgan Lovell, it was created to bring businesses together through padel, providing a unique opportunity to connect, compete and build relationships outside the traditional networking environment.
The team behind the league are looking to build on its initial success after it lived up to its billing as a way of combining friendly competition with community, helping professionals from various industries connect both on and off the court.
The eight-week competition culminated with a networking event celebrating the league’s success and connections formed throughout the competition, while also welcoming businesses that had not participated to expand networking opportunities and further strengthen links across Bristol’s wider business community.
The end-of-season get-together saw 40 padel players representing 16 businesses head to The Padel Team courts to try their hand at the fast-growing sport with three pairs toasting success after topping their groups.
Local bragging rights were earned by Lloyd Davies and Alex Lloyd, from the Burges Salmon law firm, Sulli Gardner and Ben Millar, of fit-out specialists Morgan Lovell, and Nathan Sheehan and Tom Goard, of premium workplace furniture manufacturer Orangebox.
The runners-up were Krome Keycaps duo Luke Jackson and Sam Hopton, Toby Lai and James Wright, of engineering firm Stantec, and accountancy firm S&W pairing Fred Wigmore and Alex Sowerby.
Bristol-based Morgan Lovell Business Development Manager Sulli Gardner, who organised the competition, is confident the initiative will now go from strength to strength.
“Working in partnership with The Padel Team, we’ve created something very special for the fantastic businesses in Bristol by putting the emphasis on being inclusive,” Sulli said.
“Padel is a dynamic, fast-paced sport that’s really addictive and our pilot scheme has been such an outstanding success, we can’t wait to get going with the next one that will be even bigger and better.
“Also, being able to link up with Bristol Bears Foundation to support their brilliant work and provide social value through the event has been icing on the cake.”