Soul Padel have launched a brand new initiative, ‘What’s That Racket?’, which is aimed at introducing children to Padel.

The programme is designed at developing the next generation of players while promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle by offering free courts to local schools.

The inaugural session took place on Wednesday 15th January at Soul Padel, Stockport and was an instant hit amongst the school children. Soul Padel aim to run this event every Wednesday morning, where children can develop their understanding of this dynamic and social sport.

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.

Soul Padel have announced plans to expand this 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.

Mark Hewlett, Founder and CEO of Soul Padel, commented: “We’ve taken inspiration from the incredible success of ParkRun, where Saturday mornings have become synonymous with running, no matter where you are in the UK. Our goal with the initiative is to carve out a similar space for children to discover the joy of Padel, with Wednesday mornings being known as the time to meet, play and connect on the court. This initiative embodies our vision of welcoming everyone to the game, and it’s a privilege to extend that welcome to the next generation of players.”

The first session was delivered with the support of Stockport Shapes Alliance and led by Sue Morrison of LUSU Sports, an LTA accredited coach. The session saw a group of 12 pupils from Cheadle Catholic Junior School participate in a variety of engaging activities, 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.

Sue Morrison spoke on the first session: “The first session was absolutely fantastic! The children were engaged from the moment they stepped onto court – from the warm-up to learning ball and racket skills, they had so much fun and couldn’t get enough of it. What makes Padel so special is its inclusivity; with smaller rackets, a compact court, and the chance to play against a partner it’s a sport that really appeals to younger players.”

”Seeing the teachers join in and watching the kids’ confidence grow so quickly was amazing. By the end, everyone was buzzing about Soul Padel and couldn’t wait to share this incredible sport with their families and friends. One child even asked, ‘When can we come again?’ – that says it all!”

By targeting schools, ‘What’s That Racket?’ aligns closely with Soul Padel’s mission to use the sport as the vehicle for community building, improved health outcomes, and inclusivity. The initiative also supports national efforts to combat childhood inactivity and obesity by fostering a love of movement through a team-based, easy-to-learn sport without it being too strenuous.

About Soul Padel: Soul Padel is dedicated to making a Padel a sport for everyone. With an emphasis on community, accessibility and a commitment to physical and mental wellbeing, Soul Padel is expanding its reach across the UK and beyond, working with partners such as Decathlon and Applied Nutrition to build the sport’s presence and impact.

To book a court with Soul Padel, visit the Playtomic app where you and three friends can enjoy an hour, an hour and a half or two hours of Padel fun. Look out for new Soul Padel venues coming soon!

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