Is padel doing all it can to welcome players from every section of society? GB women’s seniors international and padel coach Nicky Horn asks a few pertinent questions about padel’s approach to inclusion.
I’m not young, male, white, able-bodied and rich – but, just like you, I love padel.
Just a few simple concessions from padel club operators would help me access and enjoy the game to the full – and in turn make padel venues more diverse and vibrant places to be. With just a few tweaks, here’s how different demographics might be better accommodated – and what benefits they can bring.
I’m old – I can play during the day when your courts aren’t full. I am on a pension so it would so help if you could give me a cheaper rate in the day time. I can come with my University of the 3rd Age (u3a) groups, my friends or other organisations, regularly.
I’m female – I want to play tournaments but need a little confidence first, so sessions with a female coach would encourage me to come and play. When I do I will book in advance, I will be so keen and I will bring all my friends.
I’m at school – I love playing with my family and friends, but I don’t earn and I am busy during term time. Please can you put on holiday courses with padel coaches who like juniors? I will play every day and my parents will bring me down. They can then play at the same time – doubling the number of daytime courts booked.
I have a disability – access to the courts needs to be easy for me. Inspired by the success of our GB Paralympic team, I want to meet and play other players with a disability. Can you be part of the Inclusive Padel Tour and be one of the first in the UK to welcome our community?
I have a different background to the players I see on court – can you welcome and encourage my group of friends to feel part of your community?
We share the same love of padel – we want to be equal, but we have different needs. Can padel centres help us all feel part of the padel community?
Very important that all categories are in the thoughts of padel clubs and more importantly the Lta. The legends group are doing their best for people like myself, more over 60 and 65, even 70 would be nice, price in the UK is a lot more expensive than Southern Europe and l would not like padel to become a rich person’s play thing. Padel is a working class sport and should remain open to the masses irrelevant of ability, disability, colour and age. Amen
Paul – thank you – great thoughts – watch out for more from the Legends ….
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