From a four-year-old’s first session to national competition, the Smash pathway gives every child a structured, supported journey through the sport. Each stage is built around where children are in their development, not just their age, and fun comes first at every level.
The Smashers and Junior pathway.
It starts with Smashers.
The Smashers programme takes children from their very first session through to confident young players. There are three stages, each designed to match how children grow and learn. Sessions run in six-week blocks, one hour a week, built around the school half-terms.
Little Smashers (ages 4–6).
Where it all begins. This stage is all about balance, agility and coordination, built through fun games and movement rather than drills. No pressure, no scores, just getting moving, learning the basics and falling in love with the game.
Mighty Smashers (ages 7–10).
Players build their speed and coordination, learn the key padel shots and techniques, and get their first taste of friendly, relaxed match play in a supportive environment.
Mega Smashers (ages 11–13).
Players develop tactics and problem-solving, play matches, and build sportsmanship and leadership, mastering serving, returning and the rules along the way.
The Smashers passport.
Every Smasher gets their own passport: a little book that tells the story of their journey. Children collect stickers and badges along the way, level up through the stages, and get written feedback from their coach each term.
What we reward says a lot about how we coach. Alongside skills, there are stickers for things like being the best listener or the most enthusiastic, because effort, attitude and how you show up matter just as much as how hard you hit the ball. It keeps children motivated, proud of their progress, and excited to come back.
Beyond Smashers: the Junior pathway.
For children who fall in love with the game and want to take it further, the pathway continues. Players don't put themselves forward for the stages above Junior Squad; they're identified and invited by their coach when the time is right.
Junior Squad.
The next step beyond Smashers, for players roughly aged 11 and up.
More structured sessions focused on the fundamentals of technique, movement and strategy, tailored to different ages and abilities, in a supportive and energetic environment where players grow in confidence on and off the court.
Junior Academy Squad.
By invitation, for players identified as having real competitive potential. A tightly focused, professionally managed programme that takes an evidence-based approach to development, using performance metrics to shape how and what we coach. The aim is to develop players who are world-class in their technique, their tactical understanding and their behaviour on and off the court.
Junior Performance Squad.
Our high-performance squad, for the most ambitious young players competing at county, regional and national level.
Academy players are invited to step up gradually when they’re ready. It asks more of the player and the family, and depends on a close partnership between coaches, athletes and parents.
Team GB and FIP.
For the very best, the pathway goes all the way. Currently half of the junior GB padel team are Smash players in U14 and U16 age groups. FIP is the Federation of International Padel running adult and junior events around the world. Our expert coaches work with the performance players to prepare them physically and mentally for any upcoming competitions in the UK and abroad, often travelling with them to events and providing courtside analysis/feedback for their game. Several of our Smash coaches have been selected as Team GB coaches for the junior teams.
Scholarships.
The Pro Scholarship Programme (PSP) is our entry-level elite track for developing players aged 11–16 who show the highest potential to represent Great Britain within the next three years.
The programme provides individually tailored elite coaching, dedicated personal strength and conditioning (S&C), and kit and equipment for training and competing.
What players and parents say.
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Ready to start the journey?
Every child's pathway begins the same way, with a free intro. Whatever their age or stage, they can come and try padel, meet a coach and see if they love it.
Download the Nettla app to book a free junior intro.
