NatWest’s first paddle tennis tournament took place on 29 May in the Sports and Leisure Centre, where eight teams fought to be the first to have their names engraved on the winners’ shield.

Paddle Winners 2010 J. Lopez & F. Desoiza

This fast-paced game, which is adapted from traditional tennis, is over a hundred years old. It’s played on a smaller court with a depressurised ball and a solid paddle replaces the strung racquet. Since the provision of new Paddle courts in the Sports Centre as well as those created at Sandpits, the sport seems to have really taken off on the Rock.

Tournament honours went to the The Taxi Association, with Montagu Group runners up. Plate winners were Triay Stagnetto Neish (TSN) with Aquagib runners up.

Each team paid a £50 entry fee and all proceeds were donated to Cancer Relief – one of the key charities NatWest is supporting through its fundraising efforts this year.

Marvin Cartwright, NatWest’s Regional Head commented:
“This has been a fantastic start to our competition and I would like to thank everyone for entering into the spirit of the occasion. I would also like to congratulate this year’s champions; I hope they will come back next year to defend their title. I am confident this event will grow each year and we are determined to make it a fixture on the corporate sporting calendar”.

NatWest Paddle Tournament 2010