Radyr Lawn Tennis & Pickleball Club Serves Up Health, Happiness and Connection Through Women’s Wellbeing Programme
A pioneering women’s health and wellbeing initiative at Radyr Lawn Tennis & Pickleball Club is demonstrating the powerful role that tennis and pickleball can play in improving physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection.
Supported through funding from Tennis Wales and the LTA Open Court initiative, which provides clubs with kick-start grants to deliver disability, mental health and social prescribing projects across Great Britain, the 10-week programme has transformed the lives of women from across Cardiff by creating a welcoming space to get active, build confidence and form lasting friendships.
The project brought together 15 women aged between 45 and 80, many living with health conditions or wellbeing challenges, for weekly tennis and pickleball sessions at Radyr Lawn Tennis & Pickleball Club. Working alongside local health professionals, GP surgeries and wellbeing teams, the club designed a programme specifically for women who may never have considered stepping onto a tennis court before, but were looking for a positive way to improve their health and reconnect with others.
From the very first session, the emphasis was not on sporting ability, but on enjoyment, inclusion and community.
Over ten weeks, the group accumulated an impressive 174 attendances across tennis and pickleball sessions, with participants returning week after week to enjoy the benefits of being active in a supportive environment.
The impact has been remarkable.
Participants increased their average weekly physical activity from 100 minutes to 160 minutes per week, a significant boost that can contribute to better long-term health outcomes.
Perhaps even more encouraging were the improvements in wellbeing. Using the recognised Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS), the programme recorded a statistically significant increase in average wellbeing scores over the course of the project. The number of participants reporting low wellbeing reduced substantially, while many experienced meaningful improvements in confidence, happiness and social connection.
For many women, the greatest benefit was finding a community.
One participant summed up the programme’s success perfectly:
“It was more fun than I imagined! We all learned together and laughed at our mistakes. It felt good to be out in the fresh air, have fun with like-minded people and try a new sport. Meeting new people in this environment has helped my social confidence to grow. Playing ball games made me feel young again and just made me feel so happy.”
Volunteers also witnessed the transformation first-hand.
“At the beginning we were helping more, but now participants just get on with their pickleball or tennis games, and we join in! They now look like a group of friends who support each other with great teamwork and lots of laughter.”
The programme's success extends beyond the court. At the conclusion of the pilot, participants were offered pathways into regular club activity, helping to ensure the benefits continue long after the funded sessions ended. Already, a number of participants have become club members, with others expressing an interest in joining and continuing their sporting journey.
Importantly, the project also highlights the growing potential of social prescribing through sport. Delivered at a cost of just £16.67 per participant for the 10-week programme, the initiative provided exceptional value while generating meaningful improvements in health, wellbeing and social inclusion.
The Women's Wellbeing Programme at Radyr Lawn Tennis & Pickleball Club is a shining example of how local tennis venues can become hubs for healthier, happier and more connected communities.
Through the support of Tennis Wales and the LTA Open Court fund, the club has not only introduced women to tennis and pickleball, but has also created friendships, improved wellbeing and opened doors to lasting participation in sport.
As the club looks ahead, there is hope that this successful model can be replicated across Wales, helping even more people discover the life-changing benefits that tennis and pickleball can offer both on and off the court.
Stuart in the team that worked with the club on the funding bid added
“This project perfectly demonstrates the power of tennis and pickleball to improve lives, bringing women together to become more active, more connected and more confident. We hope the success of Radyr’s Women’s Wellbeing Programme inspires more clubs across Wales to embrace social prescribing opportunities and create similar life-changing experiences for their communities in 2026 and beyond.”