From Stockport courts to global commentary, Walker brings elite sporting insight and fresh energy to the fast-growing game.
Soul Padel is proud to welcome Sophie Walker as its newest brand ambassador, bringing her passion for inclusivity and experience from the world of professional sport to support the growth of padel across the UK. Sophie, a former Ladies European Tour golfer and prominent sports commentator, has become a dedicated padel player over the past three years and is now channelling that enthusiasm into helping shape the sport’s future.
Known for breaking ground in traditionally male-dominated spaces, Sophie’s experience in sports broadcasting highlighted the social disconnect that can emerge in work environments centred on football chat. Padel quickly changed that. “I used to feel a bit outside the circle. But then we all discovered padel. Now we play together, drink less, and I’ve got to know people better through the sport than I ever did before,” she shared.
What initially surprised Sophie was how accessible padel is for mixed-gender play. “I thought it would be like tennis, focused on power. But when I realised serves are underarm and it’s not all about strength, I saw how well men and women could compete and enjoy the game together.”
A self-declared padel addict, Sophie began playing at Soul Padel Stockport from day one and lives nearby. She values how easy it is to find matches via the Playtomic app, compared to the barriers she faced in golf, including limited access to weekend games and the time commitment involved. “With padel, I can just go for an hour, find someone at my level, and have a great game. It’s more sociable, more spontaneous, and much more accessible.”
Sophie’s excitement about joining Soul Padel is rooted in the sport’s current growth phase in the UK. “In Spain, padel is for everyone, it’s not exclusive. We have the chance to shape padel here in a way that avoids the barriers other sports have put up. If you were designing golf today, you’d do things differently to make it more accessible. With padel, we’re at that moment. We can make smart choices now to ensure it welcomes juniors, families, and women, and that court access, scheduling and playing formats are genuinely inclusive from the outset.”
Mark Hewlett, CEO and Founder of Soul Padel, said, “Sophie’s insight, passion, and drive to make sport more inclusive align perfectly with what we’re building at Soul Padel. She’s a natural connector who understands the social and wellbeing benefits of the sport. We’re thrilled to have her on board.”
Sophie’s background in sport science and business management from Loughborough University, home to another of Soul Padel’s clubs, further strengthens her role as a thoughtful and forward-thinking advocate for the sport.
Looking ahead, Sophie and Soul Padel aim to inspire more women to join the game, expand mixed-gender playing opportunities, and encourage wider participation across the UK. “Padel is a team sport that builds connections and supports mental and physical health. We have a real opportunity here to do things differently, and do them right.”
About Soul Padel
Soul Padel is dedicated to growing the game of padel across the UK by creating inclusive, high-quality playing environments where everyone can meet, play and connect. With a commitment to accessibility, innovation, and community, Soul Padel believes in the power of padel to support healthier lifestyles and foster meaningful social connections. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned player, Soul Padel welcomes you to the court.
Media Contact:
Mark Hewlett
Email: mark@soulpadel.co.uk
Phone: 07961310078
Website: soulpadel.co.uk
