How Rocket Padel Ilford is bringing its community together at all hours during Ramadan

“At Rocket Padel Ilford we've got a very wide player base that is incredibly diverse in lots of different ways and that includes a large Muslim community that celebrates Ramadan”, says Oskar Wynne, Club Manager at Rocket Padel Ilford.

“On top of being able to open for 24 hours, we've also been able to accommodate more activations, including Ramadan socials during the early hours in the morning, after Iftar sessions which takes place three times a week, a Ramadan Box League and social sessions for different ability levels that take place at 2 or 3am.

“You have to recognise the community that you serve - we want to promote padel as being an inclusive sport and our club being an inclusive space.”

At Rocket Padel Ilford, inclusivity is embedded throughout the club all year round. Designated prayer areas are available for members, while the club also operates a no-alcohol policy and does not serve meat - helping ensure that members of the Muslim community feel comfortable at the venue.

This inclusive approach is also carried through into the club’s coaching programme, which is even more important during Ramadan. For Activator Danica Karim, who runs women-only sessions at the venue, adjustments have been made to reflect the needs of those attending.

Some of those adjustments include more increased flexibility to allow time and space for members to pray during sessions, and creating an environment where players can take things at their own pace, while still reaping the benefits of padel.

“For those sessions, if people need a five minute break to pray, then I’ll accommodate that and any other needs the ladies may have. In terms of the intensity of the sessions, I make sure not to push everyone too hard, and keep it more minimal to make sure everyone is still comfortable while fasting.

“During Ramadan I’ve noticed a huge spike in women wanting to compete more - they have a drive to take it more seriously even though Ramadan is a huge test for them.

“Padel is a good distraction, that’s how we see it. If people ask whether fasting is hard, we say not really, if we can be distracted, it’s easier for us than if we were doing nothing at home.”

With Ramadan coming to an end on Thursday 19 March, Rocket Padel are reflecting on what has been an unforgettable time at the venue. From fully-booked courts late into the night, to players building new connections and sharing quieter moments in the early hours, it’s been another hugely successful Ramadan at the club.

Abdullah Chikhoun, Duty and Facilities Manager, said the positive shift in atmosphere and buzz around the venue has been one of the most memorable aspects of the past four weeks, with late-night social sessions taking place in the early hours emerging as a standout highlight.

These sessions have attracted not only regular players, but also first-timers who would not typically have picked up a racket and engaged with padel.

By opening their facilities all night and creating a welcoming environment for the Muslim community, the club has been able to introduce the sport to new communities organically, with many expected to return once Ramadan has ended.

“Every night the energy just kept building”, said Abdullah. “We were pretty much booked all the way until around 4:30am most nights, and it never really felt quiet. People were coming in late, staying after their games, and just enjoying being there.

“What stood out to me the most was the atmosphere. Everything felt less rushed. Normally people finish and head off, but during Ramadan they were staying, sitting together, chatting, just chilling after games.

“There were also moments you don’t usually see in a sports venue. People would stop to pray and eat together and everyone just understood it, no issues, no awkwardness - it created a calm and respectful vibe that you can’t really plan, it just happened.”

As Ramadan draws to a close, the past few weeks have shown that what has been created at the Rocket Padel Ilford has gone far beyond just busy sessions and jam-packed courts – it has once again highlighted the role padel can play in bringing people together and strengthening connections within communities.

“It showed me that Rocket Padel can be more than just a place to book a court”, Abdullah added. “It can actually be somewhere people come to connect, relax, and enjoy the environment. Ramadan kind of showed that when the vibe is right, everything else just falls into place.”