This week’s blog comes from Craig Milne at Soul Padel, a company preparing to launch its first Scottish venue in Braehead. Craig shares how the team hopes to introduce more women to padel and create welcoming opportunities to get involved in the sport through initiatives such as Soul Sisters.
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Across many sports, participation among women and girls still lags behind that of men. As Scottish Women in Sport and others have consistently highlighted, the barriers are often not about ability or interest, but confidence, accessibility and the challenge of finding environments that feel welcoming for beginners. Many women are curious about trying new sports but can feel unsure about where to start, particularly if they have little prior experience or feel they might be stepping into an unfamiliar or competitive environment.
Creating spaces where women feel comfortable trying something new, learning alongside others and enjoying the social side of sport can make a huge difference. When the focus shifts from performance to participation, sport becomes less intimidating and far more accessible. That sense of openness and community is something we believe is fundamental to helping more women discover the enjoyment and benefits of being active.
Padel, one of the fastest growing sports in the world, has enormous potential to support that change. Combining elements of tennis and squash, the game is played on an enclosed court and usually in doubles, making it naturally social and collaborative. It’s quick to pick up, easy for beginners to enjoy from the very first session and encourages communication and teamwork between players.
These qualities mean that padel often feels less intimidating than some traditional racket sports. The learning curve is gentle, rallies develop quickly and the game rewards cooperation as much as technical ability. It’s a sport where people can laugh through the learning process, improve together and feel part of something from the moment they step onto court.
Tammy Hewlett, co-founder of Soul Padel
At Soul Padel, that sense of connection is central to what we are building. Founded by Mark and Tammy Hewlett, the vision behind Soul Padel is to create vibrant community spaces where people can meet, play and connect through sport. As parents to three daughters themselves, creating an environment where girls and women feel equally welcome to step onto court has always been an important part of that vision.
Just as importantly, that commitment extends beyond participation. Women play key roles across the Soul Padel team, helping shape the programmes, partnerships and community initiatives that sit at the heart of the club. Creating opportunities for women to lead, influence and grow within the sport is something we see as fundamental to building a truly inclusive padel community.
As the sport grows, however, it is important to ensure that participation grows in a balanced and inclusive way. Like many emerging sports, padel has often seen stronger early participation among men, something that players and clubs across the UK are beginning to address. If the sport is to fulfil its potential as a truly social and accessible activity, it is essential that women feel equally encouraged to take part.
That thinking sits behind Soul Sisters, Soul Padel’s women focused initiative designed to make it easier for women to discover and enjoy the sport. In a space that has often been male-dominated, Soul Sisters has been designed by women, for women, with the aim of creating welcoming and supportive opportunities to get involved.
The programme provides sessions where women can try padel without pressure, whether they are picking up a racket for the first time or looking to build confidence on court. Just as importantly, the sessions are scheduled at accessible and peak times, ensuring women have the same opportunities to play as anyone else, rather than being limited to quieter off-peak hours.
Soul Sisters sessions take a variety of forms, all designed to remove barriers and create a positive experience. Introductory sessions allow complete beginners to learn the basics of the game in small, supportive groups, with coaches helping players develop their understanding of the rules, techniques and rhythms of the sport. Guided games offer the chance to build confidence through play, with gentle coaching tips and encouragement throughout the session.
For those looking for a more competitive experience, the programme also includes monthly Soul Sisters Americano tournaments and other women only competitions throughout the year, creating opportunities for players to test their skills while continuing to enjoy the supportive and social atmosphere that sits at the heart of the initiative.
Alongside these sessions, social events are a key part of the programme. Rotating doubles, relaxed rallies and post game chats help create an atmosphere where players feel comfortable meeting others and building friendships around the sport. For many participants, that sense of belonging is just as important as developing their skills on court.
Sue Morrison, Soul Padel’s lead for Inclusive Programmes, has spent more than 40 years working to make sport accessible and believes initiatives like Soul Sisters can play an important role in helping more women feel confident stepping onto court.
“I’m really excited to be working with Soul Padel on programmes that open the sport up to more people, particularly women and girls,” she says. “For many women the biggest barrier to trying something new isn’t ability, it’s simply finding an environment where they feel comfortable getting started.
Padel is a brilliant sport for that. It’s social, supportive and easy to pick up, which makes it a fantastic way for women to try something new without feeling pressure to be experienced or competitive from the start.
Creating welcoming spaces where women can learn together, build confidence and enjoy the social side of sport is incredibly important. Programmes like Soul Sisters help make that first step much easier, and that’s where the real impact begins.”
Sue Morrison, Soul Padel’s lead for Inclusive Programmes.
As we prepare for the launch of Soul Padel in Braehead, our goal is to create a place where people feel comfortable discovering the sport and connecting with others through play. Initiatives like Soul Sisters are an important step in ensuring that as padel grows in Scotland, it grows in a way that is inclusive, supportive and accessible to everyone.
Because ultimately, the success of any sport is not just measured by how many people play it, but by how many people feel welcome when they arrive.
Soul Padel Braehead is expected to open in early spring. For updates on the launch and upcoming Soul Sisters sessions, you can follow @soulpadel_braehead on Instagram.
