Empower Padel and the LTA have launched a four-month pilot programme aimed at accelerating women's and girls' participation in padel across Britain. The Women's Padel Activator Pilot Programme will build a network of Padel Activators, women and young women who introduce their communities to padel and support players from first touch to regular play.
New activations launch at Padel Stars Basildon, Padel4All Eastbourne and Pure Padel Lightwater, with another venue to follow, building on existing weekly sessions at Padel Hub Slough, Fleet, Padel4All Bracknell and Padel Maidenhead. The programme also includes university activations and a Next Gen Padel Festival for players aged 16 to 24.
Over four months, the pilot is targeting 1,000 unique participants, 500 repeat participants and 200 regular monthly players, with Empower Padel tracking participation and retention to identify what works.
The launch lands as padel continues its rapid growth in Britain, with LTA figures from May showing over one million adults and juniors now playing across 551 venues and 1,825 courts. It also marks Empower Padel's second anniversary. Founded in September 2024, the organisation has introduced more than 1,250 women and girls to padel, built a community of over 3,500 women, delivered 150+ events and grown to more than 45 local activators.
Founder Pep Stonor said the organisation is "only just getting started" on scaling its impact for the next generation of players. Jo-Anne Downing, LTA Programme Strategy Manager, said the partnership reflects the LTA's commitment to making padel more inclusive, sustainable and gender-balanced at every level of the game.
Read the full article on the LTA Padel website → Empower Padel and LTA launch nationwide programme to accelerate growth of women’s padel