Lioness Legend Steph Houghton MBE on her love of padel
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Lionesses and Manchester City legend Steph Houghton MBE hailed the many positive benefits of padel after she was named MVP at the recent Pro Am Padel Tour event at Pure Padel Stockport.
Houghton - who earned 121 England caps and is a three-time winner of the Women's Super League - was captain at the event on 3 September in a team that also included GB Olympic BMX gold medallist Bethany Shriever, England and British & Irish Lions wing Anthony Watson and Rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson.
Stars of sport and showbiz partnered up with GB padel players including British No.3 Louie Harris, British No.3 Tia Norton, Laura Jackson, Cameron Dollimore, Hanna Maddock, Frankie Langan and Alfonso Patacho.
Although Team Houghton lost narrowly to rivals Team Lescott (skippered by another former Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott), the ex-Lionesses captain was delighted to learn from the best and build upon her previous padel experience.
"My first ever game of padel was at Manchester City," she said. "The club had a padel court installed at the training ground and a few of us jumped on to play as part of our match recovery.
"Ever since then I've had a little bit of a bug for it, but I've not had that much time to play. I've probably played four or five times. I'm learning and I've had a good partner today in Tia!
"It looks easy when you're just watching but it's a bit more difficult when you're in there — especially when you've got GB team members on the other side of the net!"
Houghton's fellow Lionesses Jill Scott and Izzy Christiansen have played in previous Pro Am Padel Tour events and padel is hugely popular amongst current and former footballers including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"There are really good physical outcomes from playing even though it's not that demanding on your body," said the 37-year-old. "It's something a little bit different you can play with your mates, both in football and out of football. You can have a decent game with anybody."
Durham-born Houghton still lives in Manchester after her retirement from the game last year — a farewell season in which she was named in the English Football Hall of Fame. She is now an Ambassador for Manchester City as well as a TV football pundit.
In between those duties, she still finds time for the occasional foray on the padel court.
"There's so many different places to play around the city now, which is amazing," she said. "Whether it's in the city centre, the Trafford Centre or out this way in Cheshire, there's so many courts accessible, which is really cool.
"The game is so accessible for all abilities and genders. The best thing about it is you can play with your mates, it's competitive and it keeps you fit and healthy."
Houghton's England career ended just before the Euros victories of 2022 and 2025 but she was closely involved as a TV pundit on both occasions.
"I'm just so proud of them," she said. "To be a Lioness is a very, very special achievement, not many people get to do it, but to watch some of my best mates becoming European champions is very, very special.
"I was very proud to be there and witness them do it. Hopefully, there's more to come!"
