Soul Padel has partnered with Sue Morrison, a leading advocate for inclusive sports education, to help make padel more accessible to children and adults with disabilities.
Sue is an experienced LTA coach with a long-standing career in inclusive coaching. She has worked extensively in disability sport, developing methods and equipment that ensure accessibility for all. She is also the founder of LUSU Sports, an organisation that specialises in inclusive coaching and education, alongside her business partner and Manager of the Invictus Games, Louise Assioun.
This exclusive three-year collaboration reflects Soul Padel’s commitment to making padel more accessible to children and individuals with disabilities, strengthening its What’s That Racket? Programme and developing a structured junior pathway into the sport.
Mark Hewlett, Founder and CEO of Soul Padel, commented: “When someone very special crosses your path, you just have to work together. Sue Morrison is one of those rare talents – an expert coach with a natural ability to inspire and engage.
“From the moment we met last June, I knew we’d be working together in the future. Having Sue consult, guide, and develop for Soul Padel is something we are truly grateful for. Her passion for inclusivity and education aligns perfectly with our mission to make padel a sport for everyone.”
The partnership will see Sue work exclusively with Soul Padel for the next three years, focusing on junior and inclusive pathway development. Her expertise will be instrumental in expanding What’s That Racket?, Soul Padel’s initiative that provides free courts for schools and aims to introduce padel to the next generation. She will also help shape Soul Padel’s junior pathway into the sport, ensuring young players have the right support and opportunities to develop.
Beyond coaching, Soul Padel will take guidance from Sue across its operations, embedding inclusivity into everything from on-court programming to venue design. Her insights will help ensure that Soul Padel spaces are welcoming to all, with considerations for visual impairments and other accessibility needs.
Sue commented: “I’m over the moon about this partnership. Soul Padel’s passion for making sport accessible is something I truly believe in, and I’m touched by their investment in me and my work. I’ve spent 40 years coaching in the Stockport community, and it means everything to be able to give back, to bring my knowledge and experience home, and to create real opportunities for young people.
“We’re starting here in Stockport, refining our approach, and then we’ll be taking it out to Soul Padel’s other clubs across the country. Padel has the potential to be a sport for everyone. It’s social, fun, and can be less elitist than other racket sports. Through this partnership, we’ll build a pathway that starts in schools and leads to families and communities playing together. I can’t wait to see the difference we can make.”
