With an international curator for a mother and an antiques collector for a father, my childhood was shaped by dinner parties crowded with artists, historians and creatives. I learned early on that storytelling, expression, and human connection are the things that really matter.

For a while, I moved away from that world. I built a career in law and tech, advising global brands like Google and eBay. On paper, I was successful. In reality, I was burnt out, creatively stifled, and disconnected from the joy I had grown up around.

I retrained as a wellness coach, working with senior women at companies like LVMH and Bumble. The recurring theme wasn’t a lack of discipline; it was a lack of play.

During a sabbatical in Indonesia, I discovered Padel. It wasn’t the competitive, ego-driven sport I expected. It was a joyful, community-led experience where laughter mattered more than the score. I came back to London looking for that same feeling: a place that valued connection over competition. When I couldn’t find it, I decided to build it.

House of Racquet is the culmination of everything that’s shaped me: art, culture, wellness, and a belief that movement and play are essential to wellbeing.

House of Racquet is backed by powerful expertise across elite sport, hospitality, culture and wellness, including Mike Balfour OBE (Founder of Fitness First), Andy Gray (KnownOrigin), and leaders from the hospitality and tech sectors.

Together, we are creating a space where creative ideas meet the people who can help them grow - all over a game of padel.

We are the UK’s first female-founded padel brand, designed to be inclusive, balanced, and welcoming. Whether you are a creative director, a tech founder, a student, or just someone looking to reincorporate some play into your daily life - you are welcome here.

Lauren

Lauren van der Westhuizen

Founder, House of Racquet