Purpose of the role

The Chair is an officer of Northamptonshire Tennis, and the purpose is to lead the Charity, working with fellow Trustees to set its strategic direction to ensure it delivers on its charitable aims. To foster efficiency and effectiveness of the Charity whilst maintaining high standards of governance.
To manage its activities in furtherance of its core purpose which is to ‘promote community participation in healthy recreation, in particular but not exclusively through the development, promotion, and support of tennis and padel in the County of Northamptonshire and the inhabitants of the County’. We also support the LTA’s mission of ‘Tennis Opened Up’. Providing local opportunities to grow Tennis and Padel by making it accessible, welcoming, enjoyable and relevant to all communities.

Overall responsibility as a Trustee

All Trustees are responsible for ensuring they run the Charity and comply with the Charity’s objectives and purposes as outlined in its constitution as well as the law. Regardless of having a Treasurer or an expert managing the Charity’s finances, every Trustee must:
❖ Ensure Northamptonshire Tennis is carrying out its purpose for the public benefit.
❖ Comply with Northamptonshire Tennis’s constitution and the law governing charitable organisations.
❖ Act in the best interests of Northamptonshire Tennis
❖ Ensure the accountability of Northamptonshire Tennis.
❖ Manage Northamptonshire Tennis’s resources responsibly.
❖ Act with reasonable care, diligence, and skill

Key responsibilities

❖ To ensure the Charity has an annual strategic plan that is aligned to the LTA’s vision, mission and objectives and ensure it delivers its own charitable objectives.
❖ To ensure the Board of Trustees and Committee structure is effective in delivering against that strategic plan whilst building a team spirit within Northamptonshire Tennis.
❖ To ensure the Charity has tactical County plans such as Competition, Participation, 10U performance, Open Court, EDI, Workforce Development that align to the annual strategic plan.
❖ To lead and Chair meetings of the Board of Trustees and Chair the AGM.
❖ To lead the recruitment of new Trustees to ensure a diverse Board with high levels of appropriate skill and knowledge; mentor new recruits and ensure a thorough induction process is in place.
❖ To ensure effective communication, fostering open, inclusive discussions with Trustees, staff and Members of the organisation.
❖ To promote and oversee the highest standards of corporate governance within the Board and the overall organisation.
❖ To lead the Board in discussions of proposals put forward including strategy and planning, risk management, governance, budgets, financial reporting, staffing structures.
❖ To ensure the Board and the organisation delivers the requirements of the Funding Agreement with the LTA and provide the necessary direction required in terms of resource allocation (both volunteer and paid).
❖ To represent Northamptonshire Tennis with external partners and stakeholders and attend relevant formal meetings of the Charity, LTA or LTA Area Volunteer Forums (as required).
❖ To encourage a constructive and productive relationship with the LTA and to ensure that the interests of Northamptonshire are being represented at the national level by the LTA Councillor.
❖ To act as final arbiter on any differing points of interest, always acting in the best interests of Northamptonshire Tennis.
❖ To be the direct line manager of the admin staff and various paid leads i.e.: Junior Performance, Competition, Participation, Open Court, Workforce Development.

Northamptonshire Tennis is a newly formed Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Charity Number 1214612, and the governing body for tennis and padel in the County. We have evolved from the long-established Northamptonshire Lawn Tennis Association (NLTA) and as of January 1st, 2026, have transferred over their responsibilities and activities.

We are run by a Board of Trustees, a friendly team of volunteers who love our sport and are happy to help with the running of tennis and padel activities across the County.

❖ Knowledge of tennis, or padel, and club/venue management, and of LTA direction and activities
❖ Commitment to the organisation with willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to perform an effective role
❖ Ability to effectively Chair meetings
❖ Good organisational and planning skills, with an attention to detail.
❖ Excellent at building and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
❖ An effective communicator; articulate, diplomatic with excellent written and verbal communication skills
❖ Ability to create a culture of trust and inclusion within the Board and committees
❖ Ability to build relationships with a range of volunteers
❖ Experience of managing staff
❖ Ability to work in a team and motivate and mentor others.