Pepita Stonor, founder of Empower Padel and passionate advocate for female participation, has won the prestigious LTA President’s Award.
The Aussie, known to all as Pep, is a well-known figure in British padel for her dedication to inclusion and equality, having introduced countless women and girls to the sport’s many benefits.
Pep is the first recipient of the President’s Award from the padel industry since the category was added to the LTA Awards five years ago.
Since 2015, the LTA Awards, presented by Lexus, have shone a spotlight on the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations who give their time, expertise, and passion to help both tennis and padel thrive.
Through Empower Padel, Pep has created accessible opportunities that have brought thousands of new players on to court.
Having first brought the Swedish movement Femme Open to the UK, she then founded her own programmes and events, including a year‑long school initiative giving 96 girls free access to padel, plus regular community events for women at clubs all over the country.
Last month, she organised the second Empower Padel Women Leaders in Sport event for International Women’s Day for 160 guests at the Hurlingham Club. She is also building a network of Empower ambassadors across Britain’s clubs to support women and girls at grassroots level.
Speaking to The Padel Paper at the Awards, held at the National Tennis Centre in London, Pep said: “What a lovely surprise for padel to get this recognition.
“If this gives more visibility to women and girls and the team of amazing women who’ve helped me get here, then I’m delighted. I have got a wonderful team behind me.
“Empower Padel is like a rocket ship! My team all understand the power of sport and how padel enables women to say they’re sporty, even those who’ve never played sport before or who dropped out when they were younger.”
Padel was first added to the annual LTA Awards in the 2021 edition, with separate men’s and women’s ‘Padel Player of the Year’ gongs added the following year.
This year, the respective women’s and men’s winners were Catherine Rose and Alex Loughlan.
In 2025, Catherine became British No.2 and only the second British woman ever to reach the world’s top 100.
The Londoner has won four FIP circuit titles, claimed the inaugural LTA National Padel Championships, and powered Great Britain in the decisive rubber that sent the team into the Final 8 of the FIP Euro Padel Cup. A
Scotsman Alex rose to British No.2 in 2025, made a strong impact on the FIP tour, and helped Great Britain reach the Final 8 at the Euro Padel Cup on his debut.
He also lifted the inaugural LTA National Padel Championships title with Louie Harris and has become a standout ambassador for the sport.
