Padel's growing popularity stems from its accessibility, yet many UK venues fall short in providing equal access for disabled players. Richard Hobden of The Padel Architects and GB adaptive padel player Andrew Simister offer practical advice on enhancing club inclusivity. Their recommendations cover everything from parking to court access.
Padel has surged in popularity partly due to its reputation as an accessible sport, but numerous UK padel venues do not adequately support disabled players, limiting their participation in the game's benefits.
In an interview with The Padel Paper, Richard Hobden, co-founder of The Padel Architects, and Andrew Simister, a GB Adaptive Padel Player, provided expert guidance on creating truly inclusive environments. They emphasized considering the full user journey, starting with arrival at the club.
For parking, clubs must provide disabled spaces close to the main entrance, comprising 5-6% of total capacity, with smooth surfaces like asphalt to accommodate wheelchairs, as required by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Access to the front door should be level.
At reception, counters should vary in height, ideally 700-800mm from the floor, to enable eye contact for wheelchair users. Changing rooms and showers require ambulant facilities or independent disabled options with level access to preserve dignity.
Court access is a key area: pathways between courts should be at least two meters wide per LTA guidance, and entry gaps must fit sports wheelchairs without disassembly. The International Padel Federation (FIP) mandates 1.2m clear access, though some configurations allow only 0.72m, which is insufficient. While the UK lacks specific laws for padel court wheelchair access, clubs bear the responsibility to prioritize inclusivity.
Suppliers such as Hexa, Padel Alba, and Ingode offer standard solutions, including hinged gates, but issues persist, like bolts positioned at standing height. In social areas like bars or lounges, seating should promote equality, and mezzanine levels require lifts from the outset to ensure full access.
Hobden and Simister stress that padel thrives on community, and operators must uphold this by treating all players equally as the sport's infrastructure expands in the UK.