Victoria Park Tennis Centre is seeking an enthusiastic, organised and ambitious Head Coach to lead the development and delivery of our growing tennis programme. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate coach who enjoys working with players of all ages and abilities, developing a coaching team, and building a strong and inclusive tennis community.

The successful candidate will take a leading role in managing a thriving junior programme of over 200 players, delivered six days a week, while continuing to develop our adult coaching, performance pathways and community partnerships. We are looking for someone who combines excellent coaching ability with strong leadership, communication and organisational skills, and who is committed to creating a positive, welcoming and progressive environment for all players.

Key Roles/Responsibilities:

Lead and manage a junior programme of over 200 players, delivered across six days of the week.
Ensure sessions are well organised, engaging and structured to support players of different ages, abilities and stages of development.
Maintain high standards of coaching delivery, player experience, communication with parents and programme organisation.
Identify opportunities to grow participation, improve player retention and develop clear progression pathways from beginner level through to performance tennis.

Actively contribute to the delivery and development of the adult programme, catering for players from complete beginners through to advanced levels.
Support the growth of adult participation through group coaching, individual development opportunities and engaging programme formats.
Deliver and develop team practice sessions, helping players improve their skills, tactics and confidence in competitive match situations.
Create a welcoming environment that encourages adults to continue playing, improving and becoming involved in the wider tennis community.

Further develop the centre’s performance pathway, identifying and supporting ambitious junior players who wish to progress into competitive tennis.
Plan and deliver structured training for players preparing to compete in Grade 3-6 tournaments.
Support players in developing their technical, tactical, physical and mental skills, alongside match-play experience and competitive confidence.
Help establish clear performance goals, training expectations and tournament preparation plans, working closely with players and their families to support long-term development.

We are looking for someone who:

Has strong tennis coaching experience and the leadership skills to manage a busy, multifaceted programme.
Is passionate about developing players of all ages and abilities, from first-time beginners to aspiring tournament competitors.
Is organised, proactive and confident managing schedules, programmes and competing priorities.
Can motivate, support and develop a team of coaches with different levels of experience.
Has excellent communication skills and can build positive relationships with players, parents, colleagues, schools and community partners.
Is committed to growing participation, improving the player experience and developing a sustainable tennis programme.
Holds appropriate tennis coaching qualifications and meets the relevant safeguarding and background-check requirements.

Victoria Park Tennis Centre is a thriving and welcoming tennis venue with a strong community focus and a comprehensive programme for players of all ages and abilities. With an established junior programme of over 200 players and more than 100 adult members, the centre offers a vibrant environment for participation, development and competitive tennis.

The centre operates a busy six-day-a-week coaching programme during term time, providing opportunities for juniors to learn, improve and progress through the game. Alongside our regular coaching sessions, we run holiday camps, tournaments and specialist clinics throughout the year, creating opportunities for players to develop their skills, gain match experience and enjoy tennis in a fun and supportive environment.

Our adult programme caters for a wide range of abilities, from beginners taking their first steps on court to experienced players looking to improve their game. The club has an active social tennis community, with organised social tennis three times a week, as well as mix-ins and match practice sessions that encourage members to meet, play and develop their competitive skills.

The venue features six courts, expanding to ten outdoor courts during the summer months, with four floodlit courts enabling play and coaching beyond daylight hours. Our pavilion provides a central hub for the club, with changing rooms, a reception area and office facilities to support the day-to-day running of the venue and the wider tennis programme.

With a strong foundation of junior and adult participation, established coaching provision and excellent facilities, Victoria Park Tennis Centre offers an exciting environment in which to grow the game. We are committed to developing our coaching pathways, strengthening community connections and providing opportunities for players to enjoy tennis socially, improve their skills and progress into competitive performance tennis.

Essential:
Recognised tennis coaching qualification and relevant coaching experience.
Experience coaching players of all ages and abilities, from beginners to competitive players.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy, six-day-a-week coaching programme.
Leadership skills, with the ability to support and develop a team of coaches with varying experience.
Experience or knowledge of junior development, adult coaching and competitive tennis.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with players, parents and members.
A proactive approach to growing participation and developing links with local schools and the community.
Relevant safeguarding qualifications and background checks, or willingness to obtain them.

Preferred:
Experience managing a large junior programme and developing performance players for Grade 3 and Grade 4 tournaments.
Experience delivering adult coaching, team practice, holiday camps, clinics and tournaments.
Experience mentoring coaches and developing school or community partnerships.
Experience playing competitive tennis at county level or above.