The centre celebrated its launch event on Wednesday with a number of recognisable football faces in attendence
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
11:01, 11 Apr 2026
Leeds United players past and present show their support at the launch of Optimum Padel
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Leeds United players past and present show their support at the launch of Optimum Padel(Image: Optimum Padel)
One thing that rings true about the people of Leeds is that they always show up. It is something which is engrained into the players who play for the city’s football club too, both past and present.
Leeds United’s stars had a double training session on Wednesday, but a number made sure they turned out for the launch event of an ex-teammate’s padel centre. Stuart Dallas is one of the key investors in the new Optimum Padel centre, which has opened at Cross Green Vale, located in the south east of the city.
Eight plush indoor courts, a chic social hub and an island bar with big sports screens all give the feel of a premium experience for lovers of the sport, which has grown exponentially in recent years. Padel, simply put, is a cross between squash and tennis.
The fast-paced racquet game is played on an enclosed glass court with a net in the centre and service-box lines as seen in tennis. As of May last year, 400,000 people now regularly play the sport across the UK, as per the Lawn Tennis Association - a huge growth from the estimated 15,000 in 2019.
Players in action
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Players in action
Dallas fell in love with the sport after retiring from football in 2024 and says it both helps keep that competitive edge burning as well as being a fantastic social opportunity.
Explaining how much he has enveloped himself into the sport, Dallas said: “When I first started, I was playing - believe it or not - at 6am in the morning. So I was getting up at quarter past five to play padel when I had retired. So work that one out!
“When you're getting up at that time, I'm not getting up to get beat! I didn't want to be going home to get the kids up for school and do the school run with a bad mood. So yeah, it just gives me that competitiveness.
“And the social thing for me is massive as well. You surround yourself with good people you’ve never met before.
A view inside the social hub
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A view inside the social hub(Image: Optimum Padel)
“It's just great, sitting with the coffee after. We've tried to focus a lot on the cafeteria side of things, because we we want people to sit and enjoy the environment.
“So it's great that the sport is growing, and obviously there's so many different facilities opening all over the country. That, for me, is huge, because it's great to keep promoting the sport, keep getting people into the younger generations and people on it.”
Dallas has teamed up with Great Britain padel player Mike Tolman and LTA-qualified Padel Coach Andy Deeley in facilitating the centre, which first opened its doors in March. Managing director Adam Silverwood and operations director Jordan Vincent and marketing director Caroline Tolman are also on board.
“The support we've got from the Leeds community has been incredible. The feedback we've got has been brilliant,” Dallas added.
Dallas speaking to Sky Sports before chatting to Leeds Live
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Dallas speaking to Sky Sports before chatting to Leeds Live(Image: Optimum Padel)
The centre offers coaching for all ages and abilities. Whether for practice or pleasure, the spread of players having a go can best be described by seeing a top 10 British padel star enjoying a game on the court next to a grandfather and grandchild having a casual swing.
There was an exhibition match at 8pm, by which time a number of the current Leeds squad had arrived; Ethan Ampadu, Wilfried Gnonto, Pascal Struijk, James Justin, Daniel James, Ilia Gruev, Illan Meslier and Sean Longstaff all made an appearance.
A number of Dallas’ 2020 promotion heroes also showed their support, such as Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Luka Ayling and the recently retired Barry Douglas.
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“I'm very, very, very appreciative of them showing their support,” said Dallas. “I'm very, very grateful and thankful to all the boys, not just the players, but some of the staff, are coming down as well, which is awesome for me.”
Maybe after they retire, they can join Dallas for a game - just don’t expect him to go easy.
For more information on the centre go to optimumpadel.co.uk.