Andrew Simister, a Harrogate resident who lost his right leg in a 2022 car accident, has found purpose in padel, joining the Inclusive Padel Tour as its first British representative. With just one lesson under his belt in 2023, he entered international tournaments and now travels the world promoting disability inclusion in sports. Nominated for an award in adaptive padel, Simister highlights the sport's accessibility for those with mobility challenges.
Andrew Simister's journey into padel began amid recovery from a catastrophic road accident in 2022, which led to the amputation of his right leg above the knee. In 2023, inspired by his son and a family friend, he tried the sport during an introductory session in Harrogate. "The beauty about padel is the courts are enclosed, so for somebody with mobility issues it makes it ideal," Simister explains. "I've got the benefit of having glass around me for rebounds, so it is a sport that encompasses everybody."
Padel, a blend of tennis and squash played with smaller unstrung rackets and tennis-style balls in doubles format, quickly captivated the keen sportsman. Following the accident, Simister drew inspiration from disability sports figures on social media. "It gave me encouragement and positivity from a situation which was quite appalling," he said. "To see how these people have gone with their lives and they're doing amazing things - that's what I wanted to do."
His path intersected with Alessandro Ossola, an Italian Paralympic sprinter who founded the Inclusive Padel Tour (IPT) in 2021. The tour pairs players with disabilities alongside non-disabled partners for global tournaments. Simister initially contacted Ossola to watch a UK match but was invited to join, starting in January 2024 after additional lessons. As the first British participant, it marked his initial deep engagement with other amputees, fostering exchanges on recovery and disabilities. The experience also benefited his family: "One thing that people forget about with a traumatic accident is the impact on the family as well," he notes. "So for my wife to be able to speak to other partners who had been involved with traumatic accidents was beneficial to her."
Since debuting in Milan, Simister has competed worldwide, showcasing inclusivity. He anticipates the IPT's first Asian event in Shanghai later in 2026. "I'm looking forward to that, and it'll be interesting to see a completely different culture and how they embrace disability in sport," he says. In December 2025, Simister earned a nomination in the Adaptive Padel Player category at the British Padel Awards, with results due in May 2026. "It's important to put the word out, so people can see that somebody who almost lost his life four years ago is now being nominated for an award," he emphasizes. Simister encourages participation: "I wasn't sure what the outcome of padel was going to be when I got involved with it and I absolutely loved it. It doesn't matter on your ability to start with, it's about encouraging people to get involved."