Most padel clubs ease off in summer. Members go on holiday, competitions grind to a halt, and the courts sit empty more often. Silva's Padel in Almelo does the opposite: there, a full summer league runs from 1 July right through to 30 September. Not one group, but three levels at once, with 54 teams in total.
Three levels, one league
A good summer league lives or dies by the seeding. Put beginners up against advanced players and one half drops out while the other gets bored. That's why Silva's Padel split the league into three divisions by skill level:
- Beginners (level 9): 18 teams
- Intermediate (level 7/8): 30 teams
- Advanced (level 5/6): 6 teams
Each division is a separate league: teams play in shared rounds against the other teams at their own level. That way everyone plays matches that matter, and it stays exciting all summer right up to the final round.
What's different in summer
A competition spread over three months calls for something different than a one-day tournament. Teams schedule their own matches around holidays, the standings need to stay accurate at all times, and nobody wants to update a spreadsheet every week. In Slams the standings for each division update automatically the moment a result comes in, including the games balance that decides the league table.
Ratings that survive the summer
Every match played counts towards each player's rating. Whoever plays through the summer comes out stronger in September, with a rating that works across every Slams club. So the summer league isn't just a way to pass the time, it builds up the level heading into the autumn.
What it delivers
54 teams playing all summer means full courts in the quietest season, members who stay engaged, and a club that doesn't shut down for three months only to restart in September. Silva's Padel runs the summer league alongside tournaments, americano evenings and a King of the Court night, all in Slams.
Want to set up a summer league of your own? Read how it works on the page about the padel summer league, or check out the Silva's Padel club page.
