Richard Whitehead MBE has been appointed as an ambassador for one of the Midlands’ newest padel offerings, PadelPlex. The gold medallist, world record holder, and a global advocate for diversity and inclusion will help champion the company’s mission to make padel welcoming and accessible to players of all abilities.
PadelPlex is one of the UK’s freshest padel communities, with its first venue due to open in Nottingham later this year. Co-founded by hospitality experts Richard Johal and Rob Darby, the company has appointed Richard Whitehead MBE as a brand ambassador to join the team alongside former England and Notts cricketer James Taylor.
Richard, who has just returned from breaking his own previous record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon setting a new World Marathon Record for athletes with bilateral knee amputations, said: “I loved padel from the first time I played. It’s a sociable, competitive sport that gives people with disabilities a genuine opportunity to participate and try a sport they might never have thought about trying.
“One of the best things about it is that it relies as much on teamwork and positioning as it does speed or strength. It can also be adapted for wheelchair users, making it a fantastically inclusive and fun sport.” Data from Sport England shows that people living with disabilities are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive, compared with those without a disability. This highlights the importance of making inclusivity a fundamental aspect of every sport. To help ensure this, in 2021, Richard founded The Richard Whitehead Foundation. The charity works to remove barriers and unlock potential by empowering disabled people through sport and movement.
He added: “Becoming an ambassador for PadelPlex feels like the perfect role for me. PadelPlex is based in the East Midlands with a huge presence in Nottingham, the city where I was born and have grown up, and as a sport I see the potential padel has in getting more people of all backgrounds and abilities to be more active. It is an extension of the work I do already throughout my career and with my charity, so the perfect synergy and partnership.”
Driven by ambition and resilience, Richard is a well-versed athlete, after completing the New York Marathon two decades ago, his athletic journey soared from there. He won Gold in the T42 200m at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympics, as well as silver in the T42 100m at Rio and in Tokyo in 2021. He has also now run more than 100 marathons all over the world.
With a mission to bring the joy of padel to players of all abilities, PadelPlex will offer a unique, high-quality experience to all players. Its flagship site is set to open in Nottingham, adjacent to the Showcase Cinema, later this year and it has more sites in the pipeline in the East Midlands.
Co-founder of PadelPlex Richard Johal added: “We’re so pleased Richard wants to partner with PadelPlex. As officially the fastest amputee runner in the world, Richard’s story is one of grit, positivity, and possibility. This is what makes him the perfect ambassador for PadelPlex, showcasing that this sport is inclusive and competitive at every level and we can’t wait to work with him to bring padel to as many people who are keen to try it as possible.”
More information: PadelPlex.
