Inclusive padel tour lands in London

What a fantastic sporting event that embodies inclusivity, community, and camaraderie from the very start! As someone familiar with adaptive sports through playing amputee football, I wasn't expecting to be so amazed by the incredible atmosphere of the Inclusive Padel Tour and the sport of padel itself. It is the most inclusive new sport on the rise right now.

That sense of inclusivity didn't happen by accident—it's at the very core of the tour's origins. Founded in 2022 by Alessandro Ossola, the president of Bionic People, this tournament truly captures the spirit of teamwork and togetherness. Alessandro shared his initial uncertainty about playing padel, saying, "I wasn't sure if I could do it and if it was for me, but my coach encouraged me to give it a try, and I fell in love with it instantly. We discovered that adding an extra bounce into the game for disabled players would make it more inclusive for everyone. That's how the Inclusive Padel Tour was born—a tournament where disabled and non-disabled players can compete together."

That founding vision has now spread across Europe, landing for the first time in the UK at Padel Maidenhead—the perfect setting for the thirty teams who came from all over Europe and beyond to compete. Padel Maidenhead is the home club of Kristen Paskins, the number one GB female wheelchair player. This venue holds a special place in her heart, as she contributed to its accessibility amenities and design with the owners before its official launch. As the organiser of the London Inclusive Padel Tournament, she shared:

"This is such a milestone event for me, having lost my mobility in 2022 due to a neurological condition. I lost my mobility very quickly, and it was a challenging time. I didn't have a community of people who could support me in navigating life as a new wheelchair user. I felt very isolated, but discovering padel has been life-changing for me—meeting like-minded people who can share their experiences and challenges in an incredible sporting community. I have been competing in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Dubai, and many other places I would have never imagined visiting—especially as a wheelchair user."

Stories like Kristen's show exactly why padel works so well as an inclusive sport. Padel is an incredibly accessible game that welcomes players of all ages, abilities, and disabilities. Its main advantages include a smaller, enclosed court and rules similar to tennis. Wheelchair users and individuals with above-knee amputations benefit from two bounces, which enhances competitive play and ensures everyone can participate equally. This creates an environment where everyone can enjoy the game together. Padel is not only fun and energetic, but also social, making it an ideal safe space for people to come together, enjoy, and excel in the sport.

That adaptability is what drew so many players in—including Andrew Sinnister. He explains: "Two years ago, a friend and my son convinced me to give padel a try. The enclosed, smaller court seemed ideal for amputees, so I took my first lesson and really enjoyed it. I started following amputee padel players for inspiration and came across Alessandro Ossola. I reached out to him and expressed my interest in watching the padel tour when it came to the UK. He replied, 'Rather than just watch, why don't you come and play?' As a result, I joined the tour in January 2024, and my first tournament was in Milan."

Sheena Varsani, an above-the-knee amputee for 19 years, discovered padel at the same time as I did. It was wonderful to see her there with her family, showcasing how enjoyable the sport is for both participants and spectators. She stated: "I didn't win all my matches, but that's okay—it's not what it's all about. The community is absolutely phenomenal. My advice to any amputees interested in playing padel is to go for it! Reach out to your local club, ask about inclusive coaching, and give it a try. It's really inclusive and a lot of fun. If we can inspire you, get in touch with the amazing team at the Inclusive Padel Tour and join us! I hope to see you on the courts and at the next tournament."

Together, these stories prove that padel isn't just a sport—it's a community movement.

The journey continues with the next Inclusive Padel Tour tournaments:

• Milan – 11th October
• Turin – 15th November
• Dubai (Final) – 6th December

If anyone wants to learn more about the Inclusive Padel Tour, visit their website: inclusivepadeltour.com/tour

And if you're interested in joining the padel revolution, get in touch and join the community!