New mums and their babies revelled in the first official Padel & Prams session at Rocket Padel Battersea with coaching led by GB international (and mum-to-be!) Victoria Nicholas.
Victoria joined up with Emma Powell, a keen padel player and trainee coach, to launch Padel & Prams with the aim of giving new mums a ‘happy place’ to exercise, make friends, (re)gain confidence and most importantly have fun, whilst babies are looked after in the safe environs of a padel club.
The first official Padel & Prams session, following a recent pilot, saw mothers enjoy an hour and a half of coaching from Victoria, Emma and Nick Spurling, as well as fun and friendly matches.
On the court next door, organisers set up a “Baby Zone”, with blankets and toys, where a team of volunteers supported with baby care and new event sponsors iCandy got to showcase its new iCandy Pip pushchair.
There was time to relax and socialise afterwards in the sunshine overlooking the River Thames, with coffees provided by Rocket Padel, snacks from iCandy and drinks from Monty, as well as a talk from Sally Bunkham from the PANDAS Foundation on perinatal mental health.
There were 20 new mums and babies in attendance – almost all of them new to padel – along with representative from iCandy, PANDAS Foundation, Babolat UK and Monty.
Founder Emma said: “We loved our first Padel & Prams event. A special thank you to the wonderful mums, babies and volunteers who joined us, to Rocket Padel Battersea for hosting us, and to iCandy and our other partners, PANDAS Foundation, Babolat UK, Monty, The Padel Directory, Family of the Forest Photography and the LTA, for their brilliant ongoing support.
One mum said: “I had a great time and enjoyed learning padel. My daughter also had a wonderful time playing with the other kids. It was a great morning. ”
GB international Victoria added: “What a morning. It was amazing to see so many new mums playing padel for the first time, with their babies safe and happy in our “Baby Zone”. It was an incredible turnout and there was such a lovely, supportive and fun atmosphere.”
- The next Padel & Prams events are on 22 May and 6 June at Rocket Padel Battersea, with further events at other London venues in due course
Thursday 22nd May @ Rocket Padel Battersea. Tickets available here
Friday 6th June @ Rocket Padel Battersea. Details on Padel & Prams Instagram
