Junior Players
Junior Players & Age Policy
Club Padel welcomes junior players, and we want them fully part of the club. How a junior plays depends on two things: their age, which sets how they are supervised, and their playing ability, which sets the level of game they join.
The short version
- Aged 13 to 17: can play standard games and Playtomic Open Matches, with a parent or guardian's consent, and where they are the right playing level for the game.
- Under 13: play through the Junior Academy, coaching, junior socials and competitions, and family or private bookings, with appropriate supervision.
- In Open Matches we match players mainly by playing level, not by age. A junior who is the right level for a game is welcome in it.
- Some events, such as socials involving alcohol, are 18+ and will say so when booked.
Players aged 13 to 17
Players aged 13 to 17 can play in normal games and Playtomic Open Matches. They should have the consent of a parent or guardian and meet Playtomic's requirements for junior users.
Age alone does not decide whether a player is right for a particular game, playing ability does. A 14-year-old who is an established 3.5 player is treated the same as an adult 3.5 player when deciding whether they suit a 3.0 to 4.0 game. A junior who is the right level for a game is welcome in it, even if the other players are adults.
Players under 13
We actively want younger players at the club. Under-13s play through the Junior Academy, coaching, junior socials and competitions, and family or private court bookings, rather than independently joining standard adult games or Open Matches.
Under-13s must be appropriately supervised, by a parent or guardian, or by a Club Padel coach or member of staff during a booked junior activity. Occasionally, an exceptionally able younger player may be ready for adult-level play; where that is the case, it is arranged with our Head Coach or General Manager.
Open Matches and playing level
Playtomic Open Matches are matched primarily by playing level. Once a player is 13 or over, the question is simply whether they are the right level for that game. Being over 13 does not mean a junior can join any game regardless of ability, and being a junior does not exclude them from a game that suits their level.
Adult-only activities
Some Club Padel activities and events, particularly social events or those involving alcohol, are designated 18+. Where an activity is adult-only, this is made clear when it is advertised and booked.
Safeguarding
Club Padel operates a child safeguarding policy that applies to all junior members and activities, with trained, DBS-checked coaching staff. A copy is available on request. This policy forms part of the Membership Terms. If you have any questions about junior play, please email enquiries@clubpadel.co.uk.