Padel Maidenhead is holding a fundraising event to support two young disabled players who have discovered a love of padel since the eight-court club opened in July.
Wheelchair users Kristen Paskins-Burdett and Louis Telford have been playing regularly at the new club in Braywick near Maidenhead, Berkshire, having previously played wheelchair basketball locally.
Padel Maidenhead’s event on 12 September will help fund adapted wheelchairs which will help both players become more mobile on court and accelerate their improvement.
Kristin and Louis have had several coaching sessions with Jack Binstead (pictured above left, with Louis and Kristen), the former ‘Bad Education’ actor who is carving out a new career in padel. He has competed on the Inclusive Padel Tour in Dubai and landed a coaching role with Social Sports Society’s club in the shadow of Wembley Stadium.
The Maidenhead fundraising event, which will coincide with the end of the Paralympic Games in Paris, will feature an auction hosted by veteran TV sports presenter Jim Rosenthal. There will also be exhibition matches, partner pop-ups, and a raffle. The £10 entry fee (which includes a welcome drink) will go directly to the beneficiaries. There will be a padel social/coaching session, for which the £30 fee also goes into the funding pot.
Padel Maidenhead is the first club opened by the Padel Berkshire group which also has clubs at Ascot and Windsor in the pipeline. It is the brainchild of Phil Basford who has a background in construction.
The Maidenhead venue, which uniquely has one indoor singles court and seven outdoor doubles courts, was originally a community sports hub with provision for disability sport participation. Phil and his team were passionate about continuing the theme of accessibility for all.
Tory Eyre, who joined the Padel Maidenhead team to advise on the operational set-up of the club, said: “The club’s history has always been as a sports venue for the community. It’s made sports achievable for anyone and everyone. That was something Phil felt very passionately about.
“Our entire club is designed around wheelchair access which includes the hallways, doorways and the courts themselves – the only club in the UK to do so.
“We’re really proud of our club. We’re open to everone, whether it’s our members or pay and play customers. Anyone can come in even if it’s just to have a coffee! The place takes people by surprise, the level of detail and member experience is something we’re extremely proud of.”
To book for the fundraising event on 12 September, just email: info@padelmaidenhead.com
