Inclusive padel has rapidly become one of Maidenhead's biggest sporting success stories, and the five-year plan is to become 'busier and bigger'.

These are the words of Padel Maidenhead CEO and founder Phil Basford, who is celebrating the second anniversary of the Braywick Park facility opening this month.

The sport, which combines elements of tennis and squash, has grown rapidly in popularity across the UK, with Maidenhead emerging as one of the country's leading hubs.

A weekend of inclusive sport

That reputation was reinforced last weekend when Padel Maidenhead hosted the UK's Inclusive Padel Tour (IPT) for the second consecutive year, welcoming disabled and non-disabled athletes from across Europe to compete side by side.

The tournament featured 32 pairs from the UK, Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, with organisers describing the event as a celebration of accessibility.

"With IPT tournaments in Miami, Dubai and all over Europe, Maidenhead is their chosen venue for the UK, and they agreed at the weekend that it's probably the best part of their global leg, so we take great pride in that.

"It's about inclusivity – about an able-bodied person and a disabled person feeling comfortable to play a sport together where everybody feels included.

"We're very privileged to have held it for two years. One of the biggest messages we're trying to send out from the tour is that it can be fully accessible to play both abled and disabled."

Why padel appeals to everyone

Padel has become the fastest-growing racket sport in the world, played on an enclosed court roughly a third smaller than a tennis court with glass walls.

Phil believes that accessibility is the secret behind the sport's success.

"They say it's the easiest game to learn and the hardest game to master," he said.

"Whether you're good at tennis or you're not good at tennis – if you can do an underarm serve, you're in the game."

Unlike many sports, newcomers can often enjoy competitive rallies within their first session, regardless of age or sporting background.

"We have players as young as 5 up to 86, so everybody can get involved. It's a game that a family can get on the court immediately and play, probably like no other sport," he added.

"We're slightly different to a lot of clubs. We're more about building the community and bringing schools in, bringing disabled athletes in or beginners that want to play.

"We have sports wheelchairs at the club for anybody who wants to give it a go.

"We have the best coaching available to all beginners right away, through to advanced players."

More than a sports venue

Since opening at Braywick Park in July 2024, Padel Maidenhead has grown into far more than a sports venue.

The club now has around 200 members and a waiting list, while its pay-and-play system allows anyone to book courts or join matches through an app without needing a regular playing group.

"That is a very large part of how communities are being built through different matches and people getting the confidence to come and meet new people," said Phil.

"All of our staff and members say it's changed their social landscape completely, whole new friendship groups are being formed, it's wonderful to see."

"I knew that it would take off, but it's been great how locally the community is really taking it on board.

"It's why we spend so much time working within the community and bringing everybody in.

"I certainly believe that's where the longevity of any club is – if you build it from the ground up."

Phil also credits the bar and patio as a large part of the club's popularity.

"People come down for a bottle of wine and to watch the sport," he said.

"Lots of people say it's the best beer garden in Maidenhead, and that's not bad for being a sports venue."

Built for accessibility

Padel Maidenhead was the first club in the UK designed to offer full accessibility, with step-free access, wheelchair-friendly changing facilities and courts suitable for wheelchair players.

The club also works with local special educational needs schools and regularly hosts inclusive coaching sessions.

"We are still one of the few that have everything accessible from the conference room to the changing rooms, and all our clubs will be the same," he said.

Earlier this year, Padel Maidenhead was named Padel Club of the Year at the British Padel Awards after judges praised its atmosphere, rapid growth and commitment to accessibility.

Expansion to Windsor and Marlow

The success has prompted expansion plans, and Padel Berkshire has secured permission for new courts in Marlow and submitted plans for three courts at Windsor Leisure Centre.

Other plans include building a canopy for the show court in Maidenhead to make it weatherproof.

"The biggest complaint we get right now is the fact that people can't get a court, so the demand is there," said Phil.

"With the housing developments in Maidenhead, the offices being renovated for new big companies moving in, we're not going to have trouble filling the courts.

"The aim is to get it into the Olympics in the next 8-12 years, and the Paralympics, which is why we work closely with accessible disabled athletes."

The proposed Windsor venue would also become a junior academy, using the same coaching platforms as the Padel School, helping introduce more young people to the sport.

"With eight schools within walking distance of the Windsor club, it's very much part of our plans," said Phil.

"We would absolutely love to think that one day one of our players will be taking part in the Olympics or the Paralympics. Absolutely, that would be a wonderful target."