Maldon resident, Ben Welsford, recently got accepted into the 20-man under-18 Team GB Padel tennis after six years of training.

Ben is currently ranked #7 in the nation of under-18 Padel players, and with his spot on the junior Team GB team secured, he is now setting his sights on the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

At 11, Ben picked up a paddle and began training at Padel United in Maldon, where he played weekly – rarely missing sessions due to his love for the game and has since had respectable results in tournaments against the country's best players. 

Ben was formerly ranked #1 for under 16s in the country, and is now the 148th best player nationally across all age groups. 

Speaking to Nub News, Ben told of his pride at his achievements in national tournaments where he has reached the latter stages in grade three tournaments and the round of 16 in a grade two tournament in May. 

He also extended his thanks to coaches and teammates for his progression over the years, having been coached by locals Richard Hall-Smith and Dan Troy, and playing in tournaments with names such as Team GB member Jake Bewley. 

Ben's love for the sport has not faltered at all through the years and claims he is motivated to be at the top of his game and to continue to improve: "I could go and spend hours of my weekend playing a tournament and not win – and want to go do the same next weekend" 

Ben told Nub News his first long-term goal was to make it to the GB senior team "Not only is it such a prestigious team to be in, but it's also a big deal to me to represent my country on the world stage" 

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Ben praised his coaches at Maldon's Padel United Club.

The GB seniors' team would give Ben the opportunity to compete in European championships and FIP international tournaments. 

Padel is also rapidly growing across the world as in contention to become an Olympic sport as soon as the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. 

Part-time, Ben coaches at his sponsor Padel United. He told Nub News of the inclusivity the sport provides to all ages, genders and abilities: "I've seen people aged 6 to 60 getting lessons here, it's by far one of the most beginner-friendly sports" 

This weekend Ben is competing in a Grade One tournament where he will compete and network with the country's best players.

He is hoping to make it through to the second day and boost himself high up the national rankings. 

You can follow Ben's journey to Professional Padel @benwelsford_padel or look into trying the sport at your local club here