Avensure backs Jason Manford’s mission to expand padel access in state schools

HR and employment law specialist Avensure has announced its support for a new grassroots sports initiative led by comedian and broadcaster Jason Manford, aimed at opening up access to one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports for young people across the country.

Avensure’s People Cloud platform is backing the initiative, the JM Padel Academy, which is being delivered in partnership with Pure Padel. It was created to provide state school children with access to padel facilities, coaching and equipment.

Padel has seen rapid growth in the UK in recent years, but access to courts and coaching remains limited, particularly for children from lower-income backgrounds. The programme seeks to remove these barriers, giving more young people the chance to participate in sport, build confidence and develop new skills.

Avensure’s involvement will help support the expansion of the initiative, enabling more schools and communities to access sessions and facilities that would otherwise be out of reach.

Jason Manford, who founded the JM Padel Academy to widen access to the sport, said: “This initiative is about opening doors – getting into schools, giving kids access to proper facilities, and showing them that padel is a sport they can be part of. Having brands like PeopleCloud on board makes a huge difference, because it allows us to reach more communities and create more opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out. If we can get kids involved and loving the game, then we’re doing something really worthwhile.”

Chris Garner, Managing Director of Avensure, said: “At Avensure, we believe opportunity shouldn’t be limited by background. That applies in the workplace, and it applies just as much in sport. We’re proud to support an initiative that is actively breaking down barriers and giving more young people the chance to get involved, build confidence and discover new opportunities. If our involvement helps even more children get that opportunity, then it’s something we’re incredibly proud to be part of.”

The partnership reflects the company’s wider commitment to supporting initiatives that promote opportunity, wellbeing and development within local communities.

With pilot programmes already underway and growing interest from schools and local authorities, the initiative is expected to expand rapidly over the coming years, helping to establish padel as a truly accessible sport across the UK.

Avensure is a leading UK provider of HR, employment law, and health and safety support, helping businesses navigate complex workplace challenges. Through practical advice and hands-on support, Avensure works with organisations to build compliant, confident and high-performing teams.

As part of its ongoing investment in technology, Avensure has committed over £1million to the development of PeopleCloud, its proprietary digital HR platform. The system is designed to support employers in managing HR, employment law and compliance obligations more effectively, providing real-time oversight, streamlined processes and access to expert guidance. By combining digital tools with hands-on support, PeopleCloud enables businesses to reduce risk and improve operational efficiency.