COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: PADEL & PRAMS
- United Kingdom
- Jamie Rowe
About the Founders: Emma & Vic
Padel & Prams was founded earlier this year (2025) by Emma Powell and Vic Nicholas, two women passionate about sport, community, and creating opportunities for new parents to stay active.
Emma, a keen padel player and sports lover, first discovered the game in Spain while playing with her family. Although she works full-time as a qualified Chartered Surveyor, she came up with the idea for Padel & Prams while in between jobs earlier this year. Driven by her belief that more women and children should have accessible routes into sport, she saw padel as the perfect way to combine fun, fitness, and family life.
Vic, meanwhile, is a semi-professional padel player representing Great Britain who balances her athletic career with her work as an NHS doctor part-time. Having transitioned from tennis around three years ago, she quickly fell in love with the sport. After becoming a new mum herself, she recognised the need to support women in returning to sport post-birth — a mission that aligned perfectly with Emma’s idea.
Together, they launched Padel & Prams as a true passion project, aiming to engage more women and parents in padel and make fitness both accessible and enjoyable.
The Birth of Padel & Prams
Padel & Prams was born from a simple idea: help new parents, especially mums, get back into physical activity in a safe, supportive, and social setting.
Both founders noticed how many friends struggled to return to exercise after having children and realised that padel could be the perfect solution — played in small groups, fun, and welcoming. The concept of hosting sessions where babies could stay nearby, supported by professional childcare, quickly became a reality.
From day one, the initiative has been shaped by strong partnerships and community support. Emma and Vic credit iCandy as their earliest and a significant supporter — a brand partnership that has helped the community grow from the outset. They also thank Greg from Mason Sports Management, who secured the iCandy collaboration and has been an ongoing champion of their work.
Further thanks go to LTA Padel (especially Steve Yeardley), TheyCare and their dedicated nannies, and venues such as Padel Yard and Rocket Padel, as well as the Pro Am Padel Tour and all of the brands that have supported them along the way.
Padel & Prams’ mission and values are centred around:
Helping new parents, especially mums, return to physical exercise through padel.
Improving physical health and wellbeing.
Increasing female participation in padel.
Supporting parents to regain confidence and relieve stress.
Creating a fun, welcoming, and safe environment.
Encouraging new friendships and community connections.
Giving parents well-deserved time to themselves.
Getting Involved
Padel & Prams hosts sessions designed specifically for new parents. Each event typically lasts around 90 minutes and combines a group lesson with friendly matches. Some sessions also include Pilates and expert talks from health and sports professionals.
A unique feature of these events is the dedicated baby zone, managed by TheyCare nannies, allowing parents to focus on playing while knowing their babies are nearby and well looked after.
To get involved, parents can follow @padelandprams on Instagram, where all upcoming events are listed, or reach out directly via DM or email at padelandprams@gmail.com.
Community Reflections
Building the Padel & Prams community has been a rewarding and enjoyable journey. For Emma and Vic, seeing the joy, energy, and renewed confidence of mums at each session has been the most fulfilling part — a powerful reminder of why they started.
Balancing growth with busy schedules has been the biggest challenge. With full-time jobs and new motherhood in the mix, committing to regular events has required both courage and creativity. From booking courts without knowing if sessions would sell, to juggling logistics, every milestone has been earned through passion and persistence.
Their next hurdle is managing the growing demand. Many participants have asked for weekly sessions, and while the founders would love to expand, they’re carefully considering how best to grow sustainably while maintaining their community feel.
Looking Ahead
Having built strong momentum in London, Emma and Vic now aim to expand Padel & Prams across England — and eventually beyond. Their long-term vision is to become the leading parents (especially mums) padel community in the UK, offering new parents a trusted, uplifting space to reconnect with sport, fitness, and one another.
As the founders put it, they’re excited to continue growing at a manageable pace, staying true to the quality and community spirit that have defined their journey so far!
We wish Emma, Vic, and the Padel & Prams community all the best!
