Former Leeds United midfielder Stuart Dallas is backing a new premium padel club in Leeds, joining a six-strong director team launching Optimum Padel’s first venue in Cross Green this March.
The leeds business news announcement sees Dallas take an executive director role alongside GB padel player Mike Tolman and entrepreneur Adam Silverwood in a venture targeting the growing racket sport market. The eight-court facility beneath a 10.5-metre-high roof will position itself as Yorkshire’s most spacious padel environment when it opens at the end of March.
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Dallas, now a Leeds United ambassador and pundit following his Premier League career, brings sporting credibility to a team combining hospitality, property and coaching expertise. Mike Tolman, Yorkshire padel captain and former tennis champion, will lead the club’s competitive and development programmes.
“raises the bar for padel in Yorkshire — not just in terms of facilities, but in how welcoming, inclusive and community-focused a sports club can be.”
Leeds Business News: Premium Positioning Targets Growing Padel Market
Optimum Padel’s investment reflects padel’s rapid UK growth, with the sport attracting players transitioning from tennis and squash alongside newcomers drawn to its social, accessible format. The venue’s premium positioning — featuring blue turf courts, luxury changing facilities and a heated social hub serving speciality coffee and craft beers — targets affluent professionals and families willing to pay above budget gym or council leisure centre rates.
The leeds business news venture will focus heavily on junior development, offering child-friendly coaching aimed at introducing sport in an accessible way. The club will also host leagues, tournaments and corporate events, creating multiple revenue streams beyond court bookings.
The six-person director team brings complementary skills: Adam Silverwood as managing director owns multiple construction companies; Jordan Vincent brings hospitality sector experience as operations director; Caroline Tolman, a property investor and former tennis player, handles marketing; and Andy Deeley, a chartered accountant and LTA-qualified padel coach, manages finances.
The club launches on booking platform Playtomic in mid-February, allowing pre-opening reservations before the March opening.
Why this matters for Leeds
Optimum Padel’s launch shows Leeds attracting premium sports facilities backed by high-profile investors like Stuart Dallas, strengthening the city’s growing leisure and wellness economy. The club’s focus on junior development and community programmes introduces children to sport in accessible ways, building the next generation of players while bringing a fast-growing racket sport to Leeds. Dallas’ involvement demonstrates Leeds’ appeal for former professional athletes launching business ventures here, adding to the city’s sporting legacy and creating quality facilities that enhance Leeds’ reputation as a destination for active lifestyles and competitive sport.
