Squash
YMCA Thornton is the Fylde Coast home of squash. The team at Thornton are committed to delivering high-quality squash facilities for adults and juniors, ensuring that squash remains a popular sporting activity on the Fylde Coast. As of 2024, squash will now be an Olympic sport! Fancy your chances against the best? Come down to YMCA Thornton and get a taste of the action!
Badminton
A hugely popular racquet sport activity. Our sports halls will offer timetabled badminton sessions or the opportunity to book badminton courts daily. Contact the your local centre for more information or alternatively book via the mobile app.
Badminton is currently available at: YMCA St Annes, YMCA Lytham, YMCA Thornton, and YMCA Garstang.
Tennis
Through our partnership with Moorland Tennis Club, we have the privilege of accessing two courts (weather permitting), for a small fee. To secure a booking, please contact YMCA Poulton at 01253 891629.
Table Tennis
Available to all members and non-members (pay as you go), table tennis is the perfect way to stay active while engaging in valuable social interaction.
We currently host table tennis sessions at the following leisure centres across the Fylde & Wyre: YMCA Lytham, YMCA St Annes, YMCA Thornton, and YMCA Garstang.
Pickleball
Currently hosted at YMCA Lytham and YMCA St Annes, Pickleball is the latest racquet sport craze!
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It is played on a rectangular court with a net in the middle. The game can be played in singles or doubles. The equipment used includes a perforated plastic ball (similar to a wiffle ball) and solid paddles, typically made of wood or composite materials.
The court is smaller than a tennis court, and the rules are adapted from other racquet sports, making pickleball accessible to people of all ages and skill levels. The game starts with an underhand serve, and the ball must bounce once on each side of the net before players can volley (hit the ball without letting it bounce).
Pickleball has gained popularity for its social and inclusive nature, providing a fun and low-impact activity suitable for players of varying fitness levels. It is often played in community centres, retirement communities, and outdoor recreational spaces.
Touch Tennis
TouchTennis is a adapted version of tennis with rules similar to those of traditional tennis, featuring a smaller court, foam balls, and compact 21-inch tennis racquets.
If you would like to get involved with Touch Tennis at YMCA, book via the mobile app or head to any of the following sites: YMCA Lytham, YMCA St Annes, and YMCA Thornton.
Short Tennis
Short tennis, also recognised as short-court tennis or mini tennis, is commonly played by individuals in the early stages of learning traditional tennis, offering a less strenuous introduction to the game. The regulations closely align with those of standard tennis, albeit with a few distinctive differences. Short tennis is played on a regular tennis court using standard tennis rackets and either traditional tennis balls or PTR Speedballs, the latter being larger and moving at a slower pace.
You can book a short tennis court at any of the following YMCA Fylde Coast leisure sites: YMCA Lytham, YMCA St Annes, and YMCA Garstang.