Job Description: Community Tennis Coach

Role Purpose

To deliver inclusive, engaging and accessible tennis sessions in areas of deprivation, providing opportunities for children, young people and adults to participate in sport through tennis, develop new skills and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities:

- Plan and deliver fun, inclusive tennis sessions for people of all ages and abilities.
- Engage local communities, particularly those facing barriers to participating in sport.
- Create a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for all participants.
- Build positive relationships with schools, community organisations, families and local partners.
- Encourage regular participation, confidence, social connection and healthy lifestyles.
- Support the development of sustainable community tennis programmes.
- Monitor participation, gather feedback and report on programme impact.

Essential Requirements:

- A passion for tennis, sport and community development.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to motivate and engage diverse groups.
- A commitment to equality, inclusion and safeguarding.
- Relevant tennis coaching qualifications, or a willingness to work towards them, alongside appropriate safeguarding checks.

Desired Outcome:

To break down barriers to sport through tennis, increase tennis participation and create lasting opportunities for individuals and communities to benefit from being active.

SHG Tennis is a community-focused tennis coaching organisation dedicated to making tennis accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities. The organisation aims to increase participation in tennis, encourage active lifestyles and create opportunities for individuals to develop their skills, confidence and social connections through sport.

SHG Tennis delivers coaching and community programmes designed to welcome beginners, support player development and encourage long-term participation. A key focus is removing barriers to sport, particularly for children, young people and families living in areas of deprivation, where access to sporting opportunities may be limited by financial, social or geographical factors.

Through engaging coaching sessions and partnerships with local communities, schools and other organisations, SHG Tennis seeks to create positive experiences, improve wellbeing and use tennis as a tool for social inclusion. Its approach places emphasis on providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate, progress and enjoy being active.

Role Purpose

To deliver inclusive, engaging and accessible tennis sessions within communities experiencing deprivation, helping to reduce barriers to participation, improve wellbeing and create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy tennis.

Essential Criteria:

Skills and Experience

- Ability to engage, motivate and communicate effectively with children, young people and adults.
- Experience of working with diverse groups and adapting activities to meet different needs and abilities.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to plan and deliver structured coaching sessions.
- Ability to build positive relationships with participants, parents, schools and community partners.
- A commitment to promoting participation, inclusion and positive behaviour.

Knowledge and Qualifications:

- A passion for tennis, sport and physical activity.
- Understanding of the barriers that may prevent people from disadvantaged communities accessing sport.
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Appropriate tennis coaching qualifications, or a willingness to work towards the relevant qualification.
- Willingness to undertake appropriate safeguarding training and an enhanced DBS check where required.

Personal Qualities

- Enthusiastic, approachable and reliable.
- Patient, supportive and able to encourage individuals with different levels of confidence.
- Positive attitude towards community engagement and social inclusion.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing participant needs and circumstances.
- Committed to creating a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for everyone.

Desirable Criteria:

- Previous experience delivering tennis or sports coaching sessions.
- Experience working in community sport, schools or areas experiencing social or economic disadvantage.
- Knowledge of local community needs and barriers to sports participation.
- First aid qualification relevant to the role.
- Experience supporting young people to develop confidence, teamwork and life skills.

Key Behaviours:

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to:

- Making tennis accessible to people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate.
- Treating all participants fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
- Encouraging regular attendance, personal development and enjoyment of sport.
- Working collaboratively with SHG Tennis and local community partners.
- Making a positive contribution to the health, wellbeing and social inclusion of the communities they serve.