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MEDIA

Soul Padel Brings the Racket Sport to Loughborough University in Landmark Partnership

 £150,000 Investment in Two State-of-the-Art Courts and Clubhouse, Opening Late Q1 2025

Soul Padel, the UK operator breaking down barriers to make padel more accessible and inclusive, is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Loughborough University, the world’s leading institution for sports-related subjects. This collaboration will bring the first-ever padel courts to Loughborough’s renowned campus, with Soul Padel making a £150,000 investment to construct two state-of-the-art courts and a clubhouse, set to open in late Q1 2025.
This project is the latest milestone in Soul Padel’s mission to grow the sport across the UK and make it available to everyone, regardless of background or ability. By partnering with Loughborough University—a hub of sporting excellence where a vast array of sports are played, coached, and competed in—Soul Padel is ensuring that padel takes its rightful place among the many activities that thrive on campus.

Creating Opportunities for All at Loughborough 

Loughborough University’s reputation as a global leader in sport is built on both elite performance and a commitment to increasing participation. The partnership with Soul Padel reflects these values, with the new courts designed to benefit not just students and staff but also the wider community. 

 Mark Hewlett, founder of Soul Padel, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for Soul Padel. Loughborough University is a world leader in sport, and its campus is a place where people come to play, learn, and excel. We’re thrilled to be adding padel to the mix, ensuring it becomes part of this incredible sporting ecosystem. Our mission has always been to make padel more accessible, and by partnering with Loughborough University, we’re creating opportunities for everyone—from elite athletes to complete beginners—to experience the joy of this dynamic and social game.” 

Building Community Through Sport 

The new courts will serve as a hub for both the campus and the local community, with programming that ensures padel is accessible to everyone. Soul Padel will introduce its pioneering initiatives at Loughborough, including: 

  • Soul Sisters: Campaign encouraging women and girls to play padel in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

     

  • What’s That Racket?: A national programme introducing schoolchildren to padel through free court time, guided sessions, and coaching.


These initiatives are designed to create an environment where sport becomes a tool for connection, physical activity, and mental well-being. 

Introducing Soul Padel on Campus 

The Loughborough University partnership is the flagship activation of Soul Padel on 

Campus, a new initiative designed to bring padel to universities across the UK and aiming to make the sport an integral part of campus life. 

Additionally, Soul Padel on Campus offers opportunities for academic collaboration, with padel providing a platform for research and hands-on learning across disciplines such as sports science, business, and engineering. 

Mark Hewlett said: “Padel is more than just a game—it’s a way to connect people, drive participation, and even support education and innovation. With Soul Padel on Campus, we’re creating opportunities for universities to embed padel into their culture, and our partnership with Loughborough University sets a powerful example of what’s possible.” 

Introducing Soul Padel on Campus 

This partnership with Loughborough University is part of Soul Padel’s ambitious plans to expand its network across the UK. Following successful launches in Stockport and Glasgow earlier this year, the company is on track to bring padel to more communities and campuses in 2025. 

Soul Padel invites universities interested in exploring Soul Padel on Campus to get in touch to discuss how padel can create new opportunities for students, staff, and local communities. 

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Soul Padel, the UK operator breaking down barriers to make padel more accessible and inclusive, is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Loughborough University, the world’s leading institution for sports-related subjects.
Soul Padel, a leading force in making padel accessible and inclusive, has this week launched an exciting new initiative, What’s That Racket?, aimed at introducing children across the UK.