“We just love it, the fact that they can access something that everyone else can access, but it's at a slower pace, adapted to their needs.”

Access Sport and Rocket Padel Ilford have partnered to launch Access Padel, an inclusive padel programme designed specifically for d/Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent players.

These weekly sessions are giving young people the chance to learn padel, while feeling understood, valued and empowered through adapted coaching and a welcoming community.

This partnership is part of our Acez programme which equips community tennis and padel clubs to deliver inclusive pan-disability activities.

Each session is delivered by Tom, a highly skilled and empathetic coach, who adapts his communication, coaching styles, and equipment to meet the individual needs of every participant. Many players in the group are non-verbal, so Tom uses Makaton, demonstrations and visual cues to ensure that every participant feels included.

Tom, Access Padel coach, explains:

“In this group, half of them are non-verbal, so I have to do a lot of showing. They tend to be good at copying small notions of what I’m doing.”

Tom’s flexible delivery ensures that participants can engage with padel in a way that suits them, building confidence, skills, and enjoyment at their own pace. Rather than asking players to fit the sport, Access Padel adapts the sport to fit the player. For example, adaptive equipment is used to allow players with a wide range of physical, sensory, and neurodivergent needs to participate meaningfully.

A parent shared:

“He'll play padel like it’s never been played before. He does whatever he wants… but nobody looks, nobody judges, he's just him.”

Beyond skill development, Access Padel has a powerful social and wellbeing impact. Participants benefit from increased physical activity, improved confidence, and a strong sense of belonging within a supportive community. The sessions provide a safe space where players feel understood, valued, and empowered to try something new.

“Padel is his Tuesday routine. There was one week where a session wasn’t scheduled, and the club let us come for a whole hour free of charge.”

The sessions have also created a much-needed support network for parents and carers. Many families noted that, unlike mainstream schools, SEND schools lack a “school-gate” community, these sessions have given a chance for them to socialise and learn from one another.

Bilal and Sulaiman’s Mother shared:

“It has been really nice, especially for my husband, because usually for men, they don’t tend to go out and discuss what they’re going through, so it’s been so nice that he has had someone to talk to.”

Our partnership with Rocket Padel Ilford is a strong example of how collaboration can drive inclusion in sport. We have supported Rocket Padel Ilford with:

• Start‑up and annual funding
• Disability Inclusion Training
• A tailored club development plan
• LUSU adaptive equipment
• Regular, ongoing contact with a dedicated member of staff to ensure sustainability of the sessions.

Together, we have created a sustainable and inclusive model that is widening access to padel and setting a benchmark for inclusive practice within the sport. These sessions show what is possible when Padel is adapted to fit the needs of the player – ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate, progress and belong.

Read more about Acez >