Last December, Pure Padel Manchester became the stage for something truly special: an initiative that combined sport, community, and celebrity power. British comedian and TV personality Jason Manford partnered with us to bring the exciting world of padel to children from state schools across Manchester. As Manchester’s only indoor padel club, we were proud to host 80 children over two days, offering free courts and coaching to help break down barriers to entry and inspire a new generation of padel enthusiasts.
The Mission Behind the Event
Jason Manford, passionate about promoting access to sports for all children, has set an ambitious goal: to introduce padel to 1 million state school kids by 2032, just in time for the Brisbane Olympics. Pure Padel was honored to serve as the inaugural venue for this initiative in Jason’s hometown of Manchester. “We’re 80/1,000,000 of the way there,” Jason joked, but the sentiment was serious — this is just the beginning of a monumental mission.
See The Event In Action
Why This Matters
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, but accessibility remains a hurdle for many. By teaming up with local schools, Jason and Pure Padel are working to eliminate those barriers and give every child a chance to experience the joy and benefits of padel. The initiative was designed to not only introduce kids to the sport but also to provide them with a sense of belonging, teamwork, and the confidence to try something new.
Making Headlines
The event gained national attention, with both BBC and ITV Granada covering the story. It’s not every day you see a celebrity like Jason Manford swapping the stage for a padel court, but his dedication to making a difference resonated deeply. The coverage highlighted the importance of initiatives like this, shedding light on the need for more inclusive opportunities in sport.
What’s Next?
This event was only the beginning. At Pure Padel, we are committed to continuing Jason’s mission by hosting more events that introduce padel to children from all backgrounds. We believe that sports should be accessible to everyone, and we’re proud to play a role in building a more inclusive padel community.
A Special Thanks
We want to extend our gratitude to Jason Manford for his vision and passion, and to the schools and children who participated, bringing their energy and enthusiasm to our courts. We’re excited to see how this initiative grows and how many more kids will get to experience the magic of padel in the years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow this initiative. If you’d like to get involved or partner with us, feel free to reach out — let’s make padel a sport for everyone!
