Soul Padel, a key player in the fast-growing sport of padel across the UK, has unveiled the results of its November 2024 survey. The survey was open to all 2,000 players in the company’s Stockport community, giving them the opportunity to share their views and experiences. Nearly 100 players responded, offering a robust snapshot of the club’s impact and areas for growth.
“Our mission is to make padel a sport for everyone, and this survey helps us better understand how we’re meeting that goal,” said Mark Hewlett, Founder and CEO of Soul Padel. “Hearing directly from our players enables us to celebrate our successes and refine our approach to ensure we continue building an inclusive and thriving padel community as we expand in 2025 into new locations across the UK.”
Survey Highlights
Diverse Representation and Community Reach
Ethnic Diversity: 74% of respondents identify as White British or other White backgrounds, compared to 90.4% in the broader Stockport population, showcasing Soul Padel’s appeal to a more diverse audience.
Age Groups: The majority of players fall within the 25–54 age bracket, with the 45–54 age group representing 34% of respondents. This suggests padel resonates particularly well with active, younger adults, compared to Stockport’s median age of 42.
Gender Representation: Women account for 40% of respondents, highlighting a promising foundation for initiatives like Soul Sisters, which aim to further boost female participation.
Disability Inclusion: 5% of respondents identified as disabled, compared to 7.6% in Stockport. Enhancing accessibility remains a priority to ensure the club reflects the local community.
Active Lifestyles and New Opportunities
Prior Exercise Habits: 67% of players exercised multiple times a week before joining Soul Padel, while 13% were less active or sedentary. This points to an opportunity to attract less active individuals and promote the health benefits of padel.
Other Sports: Many players were active in other sports before joining, including the gym (60%), running (40%), and cycling (30%).
Engagement with Padel
First-Time Players: Nearly half (48%) of respondents were new to the sport when they joined Soul Padel, showcasing its success in introducing padel to the community.
Regular Participation: 45% now play multiple times a week, and 35% play at least once or twice a month.
Social Nature: 90% of respondents book courts with friends, while 35% have attended introductory sessions.
Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty
Net Promoter Score (NPS): With a strong score of 61, 75% of respondents rated their experience as 9 or 10 out of 10, reflecting high levels of enthusiasm and loyalty.
Other Clubs: While 20% of respondents reported playing at other clubs, this typically occurred infrequently, demonstrating strong loyalty to Soul Padel.
Motivations and Enjoyment
Why Players Love Padel: 75% highlighted the social aspects as their favourite feature, while 60% noted the sport’s fun and competitive nature. Players also praised its accessibility and ease of learning.
Why Players Choose Soul Padel: Convenience (60%) and affordability (50%) were the top motivators, alongside the friendly atmosphere.
Opportunities for Growth
Structured Activities: 35% of players participated in introductory sessions, and 15% joined social tournaments or leagues. Soul Padel are now exploring expanding these programs to deepen community ties and increase engagement.
Looking Ahead
Soul Padel is committed to acting on these findings to strengthen its community in Stockport and beyond as it looks to new site launches in 2025 in locations including St Helens, Bolton, Glasgow and Loughborough University. Planned initiatives include:
Driving the brand’s new initiative to bring more women and girls into padel: Soul Sisters.
Promoting beginner-friendly programs to attract less active individuals with additional steps in the learning journey including Beginner Guided Games sessions
Introducing more leagues, tournaments, and social activities to continue to build engagement.
“This survey highlights the positive impact Soul Padel is having in Stockport and offers invaluable insights into how we can do even better,” said Hewlett. “We’re grateful to our players for sharing their experiences and look forward to continuing to grow this vibrant community in Stockport and beyond.”
