Mark Hewlett, CEO and Founder of Soul Padel and a leading advocate for democratising our sport, offers a personal view on the challenges facing the industry (and some solutions!)
At Soul Padel, our mission is to make padel accessible to everyone, fostering community, health, and connection. However, the challenges we face in expanding this sport across the UK highlight broader issues that our nation must address — issues rooted in our collective health and the bureaucratic hurdles that slow progress.
The Health Crisis Facing Our Nation
The UK is facing a health crisis with our population is becoming increasingly sedentary, rising obesity rates and poor nutritional choices exacerbated by the proliferation of ultra-high processed foods (UHPF).
The aftermath of the pandemic has only intensified these issues, with many people exercising less or choosing solitary activities like running or cycling over team sports. This shift is not only affecting our physical health but also our mental well-being, as social and communal engagement declines. The economic implications are profound, as an unhealthy population strains the NHS and undermines our ability to maintain a prosperous welfare system.
The Challenges of Padel in the Planning System
In this context, the growth of padel presents an opportunity to counter these trends – in fact, it’s been presented as something of a panacea to the antisocial, sedentary, solitary pandemic era; a sport that symbolised the perfect confluence of social activity, competition and exercise following a prolonged period when little, if any of this, was allowed.
However, the planning system in the UK, which is slow, under-resourced and overly complex, poses significant challenges. Many local authorities, having suffered from years of budget cuts, are under immense pressure to prioritise housing developments over recreational projects.
This, coupled with a general lack of understanding about padel, means our applications are often treated as full-scale developments, leading to unnecessary delays and costs. Applications are becoming entrapped within the system, subject to extensive requirements like noise impact assessments, traffic studies and ecological reports, all of which add significant time and expense to our efforts.
How We Can Overcome These Challenges
Despite these challenges, there are ways to overcome them. As an industry, we need to be proactive in educating ourselves and local authorities about the benefits of padel. Early engagement with planning departments, appointing experienced planning teams with strong networks, and understanding the intricacies of the planning process are essential steps.
Moreover, I’d like to see the padel governing body in the UK take a more strategic approach. Rather than simply throwing money at the problem, which leads to poor procurement choices and a skewed competitive landscape, it (the LTA) should focus on promoting the sport’s broader societal benefits.
This means actively supporting the growth of padel and articulating why this is a good thing for the nation’s health. Additionally, government and local authorities need to recognise the communal and public health benefits of padel, treating development applications on their merits rather than grouping them with more complex projects.
Why Padel Matters
The question remains: why focus so much effort on a relatively new and obscure sport? The answer is simple. Padel has the potential to regenerate under-utilised spaces within communities, creating vibrant hubs for physical activity and social interaction. At a time when our children are becoming more sedentary and disconnected from communal activities, padel offers a way to re-engage them in healthy, social pursuits. By supporting the growth of padel, we are not just building sports facilities — we are investing in the health, well-being, and cohesion of our communities.
While the road to expanding padel in the UK is challenging, it is a journey worth taking. By working together with local authorities, industry leaders and the broader community, we can overcome these obstacles and help padel reach its full potential. The stakes are high, but the rewards — for our sport and our nation — are even higher.
