The LTA’s new Padel Advisory Group (PAG) held its first meeting last week, bringing together leading figures in the sport to help shape national strategy.
Formed earlier this year, the PAG provides a space for open discussion and collaboration, acting as a sounding board to help shape strategy across key areas including participation, competition, performance and workforce growth.
Six key stakeholders from across the British padel community sit on the PAG and help guide and support the next phase of the sport’s development. The group will play an important role in ensuring that padel continues to grow in a way that is accessible, sustainable and aligned with the needs of the wider community.
The six members selected to be on the LTA Padel Advisory Group are:
Abigail Tordoff
Abi’s diverse background spans roles at Octagon, and her current position at Give It Your Max, a charity focused on introducing young people to sport. Combined with her experience as a performance padel player, Abi offers a well-rounded perspective on player engagement, event management and community outreach.
Angela Crossley
An experienced LTA Lead Tutor and Assessor, Angela is deeply involved in coaching education and venue operations. Her hands-on knowledge of developing padel programmes and training coaches makes her an essential voice in shaping the sport’s future at the grassroots level.
Carl Heimdal
Co-founder of Rocket Padel, Carl has been instrumental in the brand’s UK expansion. His expertise lies in facility development, including navigating complex planning applications. In addition, Carl is actively exploring business rate challenges faced by UK padel operators, further demonstrating his commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of the sport. Carl offers valuable insight into the infrastructure and development of the sport in the UK market.
Enrique Buenaventura
Co-founder of Formula E and creator of the Hexagon Cup, Enrique is a visionary in sports innovation and event management. His experience in launching and growing high-profile global events positions him as an invaluable asset for advising on the promotion and commercialisation of padel.
Pep Stonor
A prominent organiser in the domestic padel scene, Pep is renowned for her dedication to growing women’s participation. Through her competitions and events tailored for women, she brings a specialised focus on inclusivity, community building and event logistics.
Sandy Farquharson
Founder of The Padel School and a prominent figure in the padel community, Sandy is also the LTA’s National Performance Coach. He is known for his educational initiatives that promote the sport globally and, as a commentator for Red Bull at Premier Padel Major events, brings a unique perspective on the international competitive scene. His background as a performance coach and former national team player ensures a deep understanding of player development, high-performance environments, and the pathway needed to nurture future British talent.
The formation of the Padel Advisory Group supports the LTA’s padel strategy for 2024–2029. This strategy focuses on expanding padel infrastructure, growing and diversifying the coaching workforce, strengthening the performance pathway, and boosting visibility and participation.
The group will meet several times a year to advise and support the LTA in delivering its long-term ambitions for padel, ensuring that Britain continues to build strong foundations and a sustainable future for padel.
LTA Head of Padel, Tom Murray said: “The formation of the Padel Advisory Group marks an important step forward for the sport in Britain.
“By bringing together a diverse and experienced group of key stakeholders, we’re ensuring that padel continues to grow in a way that reflects the needs and ambitions of the whole community.
“Members of the advisory group’s insights and expertise are playing a vital role in shaping our national strategy, helping the LTA to build a strong, sustainable foundation for the sport’s future in this country.”
