New East Midland’s based padel company, PadelPlex is calling for families to pick up a racket and get outside, highlighting the importance of children disconnecting from their tablets.
As new guidelines are released from the Chief Medical Officer on how to achieve 60 active minutes a day for children and young people, Richard Johal, co-founder of PadelPlex, the UK’s newest padel community, believes social sports could be the key to creating a ‘digital detox’ for children.
Richard Johal said: “We know that too many children are not moving their bodies enough every day and as parents try and balance work alongside childcare, we’re keen to shout loudly that padel is a sport for all, no matter your age.
“At PadelPlex we’re building a welcoming community which supports more families to step away from their screens and try something new. Achieving those vital 60 active minutes doesn’t have to happen all in one go, it can be as simple as a 15-minute rally and having fun and breaking it up across the day.
“The data tells us the plethora of benefits for young people when they prioritise in-person social interaction - but parents telling children to spend less time online is unlikely to be enough. Communities need enjoyable, accessible alternatives to screens that feel seamless and ‘on the doorstep.’ Outdoor activities should offer movement, friendship, play and family participation, and not have to involve a long journey. It’s about bringing community groups together and allowing children to switch off from the digital world.
“With that in mind, as we open our sites across the region, we will have a focus on engaging with schools, youth clubs, kids’ clubs and holiday camps, with the aim of encouraging beginner sessions for children to get playing padel. We believe that padel should be an experience, not just a form of exercise – offering accessible, fun and welcoming spaces for individuals of all ages and abilities.”
According to the latest government data, 98% of two-year-olds watch screens daily but despite this figure, the focus on screentime remains on teenagers as the Government bans under-16s from using social media. Further research from Ofcom’s Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2026, shows digital devices play a central role in shaping how children spend their free time. 78% of children aged 8-17 years have their own mobile phone with 59% using a tablet to go online, and 55% using a games console.
PadelPlex supports the newly refreshed guidelines from the Chief Medical Office and believes that instead of focusing on screen time as ‘bad’, a shift is needed to provide young people with better, more appealing outdoor alternatives for joining together and exercising.
Richard continued: “Our concerns should prompt a wider conversation about how accessible it is for families and schools to book out recreational facilities so there are more opportunities to create active communities. Padel is a great example. Rackets are lightweight and equipment can easily be hired, and there’s no specialist kit needed beyond a racket and a ball, which makes this sport accessible to all. With the school holidays in full swing, giving children safe spaces to play sport and be outside builds fitness, coordination and strength – and, vitally, supports their mental health.”
As co-founder of PadelPlex, which has a flagship site set to open later this year in Nottingham, Richard has a seasoned career in the hospitality sector and saw a space in the market for top quality, accessible padel facilities with consistently excellent customer care and experience at the heart.
With a mission to bring the enjoyment of padel to a wider audience, from school children to pensioners, Richard works alongside co-founder Rob Darby, with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry between them.
