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Padel is the world's fastest-growing racket sport — and The Park is where Hamilton tries it first.
Padel (rhymes with "saddle") is a doubles racket sport played on an enclosed court the size of a tennis service box. Glass walls keep the ball in play, the serve is underhand, and the scoring is straight from tennis. Rallies are long, the court is smaller than you think, and most people are rallying inside their first session. It's why the sport has exploded across Europe and South America — and it's why Hamilton has its own three-court home for it at The Park.
Partner up and split the court.
Walls are part of the play, like squash.
First rally usually inside ten minutes.
Fast feet, short bursts, long rallies.
A padel court is 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, enclosed by a mix of toughened glass and metal mesh. The net runs across the middle, just like tennis. The big difference is the walls: they're in play. A ball that bounces in your court and then hits the glass is still alive — you can play it back. No doubles alleys, no out-of-bounds beyond the glass.
New to padel? Rackets in our vending machine 24/7, or the pro shop during staffed hours. Just show up.
Want the full rulebook? Read our complete guide to padel rules →
If you've played any racket sport before, padel will feel familiar in some ways and brand new in others. Here's the honest side-by-side.
The Park runs both padel and pickleball under one roof, so you don't have to pick before you've tried. Most people end up playing both — depending on the night, the partners, and how much running they feel like doing.
Curious about pickleball too? → What is pickleball?
Rackets, balls, glass-enclosed courts, LED lighting. Hire rackets at our vending machine 24/7 or the pro shop. We've got you. Rackets, balls and coaching is provided on all Free Intro Sessions!
Court shoes (non-marking), comfortable sportswear. Showers and changing rooms on site for after.
You'll be rallying inside ten minutes. The walls feel weird for the first few points, then they become the best part. Most people leave saying "when's the next one?"
Every Saturday, 10am–12pm. Limited spots. Grab a friend, bring nothing, leave us a review.
Book your free Saturday →No. The underhand serve, the doubles format and the playable glass walls mean most beginners rally inside their first session. It's much easier to start than tennis — tactical depth comes later.
Not for your first sessions. Rackets are available at our vending machine 24/7 and at the pro shop during staffed hours. Once you're hooked, our coaches can help you pick the right one for your style.
Court shoes (non-marking) and comfortable sportswear. That's it. Showers and changing rooms are on site for after.
20 metres long and 10 metres wide, enclosed by glass and mesh, with a central net. Smaller than a tennis court, larger than a pickleball court — and the walls are part of the game.
A typical social game runs 60 or 90 minutes — same as a court booking. A full match (best of three sets) can run 60 to 90 minutes depending on level.
Padel is played on a 20m × 10m glass-enclosed court with a low-pressure tennis ball. Pickleball is played on a smaller 13.4m × 6.1m open court with a perforated plastic ball and a non-volley zone called the kitchen. We run both at The Park.
At The Park (Padel Park) — 82 Duke Street, Frankton. Three indoor padel courts, three indoor pickleball courts, 24/7 access via app.
Yes. Our free Intro to Padel sessions run Thursdays 5:00–6:00pm and Fridays 7:30–8:30pm. Private lessons and small-group coaching are also available with our certified coaches — book via the app.
It's a serious workout disguised as social fun. Expect quick lateral movement, short sprints, long rallies and a workout that's easier on your knees than tennis or running. Many of our regulars play 3–4 times a week.
You need a booking — bookings are app-based and run 24/7. Walk-ins during staffed hours can sometimes pick up a last-minute court, but the safe play is to book first. The Bring a Mate Saturday session needs a booking too.
The full rulebook in plain English — serving, lets, walls, faults, scoring, the golden point.
The five things we see new players do at The Park — and how to fix each quickly.
From walking in the door to your first rally — exactly what happens at your first session.
Two booming sports, one venue, and why Hamilton is right on time for both.
When you're ready to bring your own gear, these are the picks our coaches recommend for new and improving padel players.
Babolat · Racket
Bullpadel · Racket
Bullpadel · Racket (W)
Slazenger · Balls
Bullpadel · Overgrip
Bullpadel · Grip
HEAD · Bag
Bullpadel · Bag
Bring a mate, play for free this Saturday, leave with a new favourite sport.
Book my free Saturday →