What is Our Mission?
We are bringing free pickleball programmes to underserved children in London.
Key Stat?
Initial Fundraising
We are targeting an initial fundraiser of £15k, which will cover our start up costs, and included the delivery of 20 sessions. You can donate by clicking the button below. Any amount is appreciated!
£15 funds a taster session for one child; £150 funds a class; £500 founder donation helps us to build the governance and structure that will enable us to access the grants available which can make this sustainable and grows the sport of pickleball for years to come.
why Pickleball
01
An Accessible sport
It does not require specialised infrastructure like Tennis or Padel, and it can be played year-round in regular sports halls.
02
fun and Easy to learn
It can be played by both children and their grandparents. It is gender inclusive, and data shows the proportion of girls playing pickleball is higher than in other racket sports.
03
Growing Rapidly
Following phenomenal demand in the US, the UK now has over 55,000 players and Pickleball England’s target is to grow this to 1 million by 2030.
What is the Problem we are Solving?
Too few people engaged in sport
The numbers participating in team sport is even lower. Team sport is proven to bring diverse communities together, deepen social trust, and help in the development of crucial soft skills.
Negative association with physical activity
Adults often have a negative association with physical activity and sport that is learned in childhood – often as a result of poor coaching and non-inclusive sports
A 2026 poll by Age UK of 2,400 middle-aged adults found that 30% said past sports memories put them off exercise for life. Many people want to get back into sport, but need access.
Lack of opportunities to play
Demand for sport facilities often outstrips supply in London
London is one of the hardest places in England to find a place to play sport – it has 12 of the 15 local authorities with the lowest number of publicly accessible sports facilities per 10,000 people (Sport England)
Need one more here
- Lemon Pickleball (LP) LTD is a limited company which provides community pickleball for adults and children across North London.
- LP LTD has proven the growing demand for pickleball in London over the past three years, especially in schools and among older generations.
- An idea originated amongst the leaders of LP LTD for a Pickleball Foundation that could increase wider participation in physical activity and improve access to structured sport activity than the business is able to.
- The Foundation will have a separate executive team, financial structure, governance accountability and mission, but will utilise the knowledge gained from the business and its relationships with schools and equipment suppliers.
- We believe pickleball is for everyone, and that every child deserves the chance to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits that we know it brings.
Our Team
Josh Crine
Josh has worked for CEOs of charities providing sport to children in London
Ashley Spencer
Ash is co-founder Lemon Pickleball Ltd
Alex Minogue-Stone
Alex is co-founder Lemon Pickleball Ltd
Jonah Stephens
Jonah is Head of Junior Programming at Lemon Pickleball Ltd
Our Trustees
Del Cooke
Del is a former Head Teacher and current Governor of several schools in London and the South-East
Robin Street
Robin is a school leader, currently Director of Innovation at NLCS