Pep Stonor’s Empower Padel has teamed up with the Hurlingham Club Foundation to develop a new project that will offer free padel lessons for teenage girls in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
The project’s main funder is the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, and with the help of Empower Padel, the Hurlingham Club Foundation has been able to buy additional equipment, engage inspiring role models, recruit volunteers and fund more coaching hours.
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation works to improve the lives of children from underprivileged communities and is aligned with the objectives of the Hurlingham Club Foundation who have been receiving support from Pep, and her team of padel players and influencers, to increase opportunities for girls to participate in sport.
Lady Margaret School in Parsons Green will be the first school to benefit from the free sessions, with year 10 and 11 girls offered lessons with coaches as well as match play opportunities with Hurlingham Club female members who regularly play padel.
Pep said: “It is well documented that girls drop out of sport in great numbers once they reach their teens. There are a number of reasons why this might be, but certainly affordable access to sport is one of them. Teenage girls can also feel intimidated in taking up new pastimes, and can find competitive activities uncomfortable. That is why the free lessons have been coupled with match play opportunities with older padel players to help them feel a part of the growing padel community which is very accessible and welcoming.”
“We are excited about starting these sessions for Lady Margaret School and look forward to rolling out similar sessions for other schools in this area and beyond very soon. It’s fantastic to see that Laureus, together with The Hurlingham Club Foundation, are so committed to improving access to sport for girls and our aim is further this agenda within the sport of padel.”
Pep set up Empower Padel to get as many girls and women engaged with padel as possible. She has already put on two sell-out events at The Padel Hub in Slough and has plans to put on a further 10 events in the next six months across the UK. These events incorporate competitive padel with networking for women.
Any players or volunteers interested in signing up to support this project or make a donation towards its future, should contact Pep at: pep@empowerpadel.com
