Empower teams up with sports stars for student initiative
Empower Padel’s sports VIP event
Teenage girls from a London secondary school will find themselves on court with sporting celebrities when Empower Padel hosts a landmark event aimed at using the power of sport to inspire the next generation of young women.
Billed as a ‘star-studded invitational’, the event is the brainchild of Empower founder Pep Stonor, a padel powerhouse when it comes to driving forward female participation in the sport.
Students from Lady Margaret School, a Church of England Academy for girls aged 11-18 years in the London boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, will form teams captained by a VIP female athlete or leader. Host for the day will be Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller.
Team captains & players include:
- Sophie Bray – Olympic gold medallist, GB Hockey
- Judy Murray – Tennis coach and champion of grassroots sport
- Katya Jones – Strictly Come Dancing professional
- Tamsin Greenway – Former England Netball international and coach
- Gigi Salmon – Broadcaster and tennis presenter
- Georgie Wyatt-Hodge -FIFA licenced agent
- Helen Glover – 4 times Olympian
- Rachel Burford – Former Rugby player, 2014 World Champion
- Montell Douglas – double Olympian sprinter and bobsleigh
“We’re creating a space where young girls get to compete, connect and be inspired by women at the top of their game,” said Empower founder Pep Stonor. “This is about showing what’s possible-and having a lot of fun doing it.
“Each of these women brings their own story, achievements and passion for sport, making this more than a match; it’s a moment of visibility and inspiration for the girls playing alongside them. The captains will mentor the girls in their teams, many of whom have only recently started playing padel, and encourage them to enjoy the benefits of healthy competition and team spirit. It’s a celebration of female talent and teamwork,” added Pep.
The event, at The Hurlingham Club, is in partnership with Evelyn Partners and The Hurlingham Club Foundation, which has been delivering padel sessions for the students with funding from charity Laureus. The invitational will include matches and player mentoring, with three of Evelyn Partners’ padel-playing female practitioners also participating.
Empower Padel is on a mission to help women and girls get into – and stay in – sport through padel. It offers a safe, fun and competitive environment for all player levels, from beginners to elite and was the inspiration behind the the Hurlingham Club Foundation’s Girls’ Racquets programme set up last year, which has supported 96 students from Lady Margaret School. Coaches and volunteers from The Hurlingham Club’s padel community give their time to help increase their enjoyment of sport and physical activity, build their confidence and self-esteem and improve their overall health and fitness. 🎾
