Soul Padel has launched two new campaigns – Soul Sisters and What’s That Racket? – which aim to introduce padel to women and children respectively and make the sport more accessible and inclusive.
Lancashire-based operator Soul Padel has one facility in Stockport and is preparing to open further facilities in Stockport, Glasgow and St Helens. Founder Mark Hewlett’s aim is to use padel to build communities for players of all levels and improve physical and mental wellbeing.
Soul Sisters is part of that ethos and aims to increase female participation in the UK’s fastest-growing sport by creating tailored opportunities for women to try padel in welcoming, inclusive environments.
Soul Sisters includes several elements designed to encourage more women to take up padel and develop their skills:
- Introduction to Padel Sessions: Beginner-friendly sessions where players can learn the fundamentals of the game
- Beginners Guided Games: A structured next step for players looking to improve their skills while enjoying a friendly, supportive atmosphere
- Soul Sisters Socials: Women-specific padel sessions to build camaraderie and connection among players
- Free Racket Hire: Available for all players, making padel accessible to anyone without the need for upfront equipment investment
Mark said: “At Soul Padel, we’re committed to making the sport welcoming for everyone. That means designing sessions and events that truly meet the needs of women players, breaking down barriers to entry, and fostering a community where everyone feels encouraged to step onto the court. The Soul Sisters campaign is a reflection of our belief in creating opportunities for all and our ambition to ensure padel remains a sport for everyone as it grows.”
Vic Nicholas, one of the UK’s top female padel players and Soul Padel Brand Ambassador, added: “I’m delighted to see Soul Padel’s commitment to encourage more women to take up padel. Over the past three years that I’ve been playing, I’ve really noticed an imbalance on the courts between the number of male and female players.
“Raising awareness about padel among women is really important – what I want them to know is that it is an incredibly sociable sport that’s so easy to pick up, even for complete beginners. You don’t need any prior experience to have fun and enjoy the game. I’m proud to support the Soul Sisters initiative and can’t wait to see it drive greater inclusivity in the sport.”
In addition, Soul Padel has also launched What’s That Racket?, aimed at introducing children to padel. The programme is designed to develop the next generation of players while promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle by offering free courts to schools.
The inaugural session took place on Wednesday 15 January at Soul Padel Stockport, where local schoolchildren took to the court to learn the basics. With the ultimate goal of designating Wednesday mornings for schools across the UK to bring pupils to play padel for free, What’s That Racket? aspires to become a weekly tradition for young people, mirroring the community spirit of other successful national movements.
Soul Padel has announced plans to expand the initiative, including at its new clubs opening in St Helens and Glasgow later this year, as part of its long-term commitment to growing the sport and welcoming everyone to the court.
This week’s event was delivered with the support of Stockport Shapes Alliance and led by Sue Morrison of LÜSÜ Sports, an LTA Accredited Coach. A group of 12 pupils from Cheadle Catholic Junior School participated in a variety of engaging activities. They worked up from basic shuttle drills to partnered ball tosses, practising skills across the net, playing against the glass, and culminating in serve-and-return games with a partner.
