Battersea Park Barclays Free Park Tennis: Harnessing passion, increasing participation & facilitating new careers
Barclays Free Park Tennis Activator Nick Roberts, has been delivering fun, free, family-focused sessions at Battersea Park since August 2025. Originally a businessman and entrepreneur, Nick was searching for something that offered a little more fulfilment, and when a friend - who volunteers delivering Barclays Free Park Tennis in Andover - recommended becoming a Volunteer Activator, Nick was more than interested!
Nick knew that he relished the opportunity of being outside, and having previously volunteered as a windsurfing instructor, already knew the value and satisfaction that sharing his passion of tennis would bring to both himself and others. Teaming up with fellow activator Honour has not only helped Nick to offer sessions that benefit the local community, but also to build a potential new career for himself.
Community engagement
At the time of writing, Nick has delivered well over 20 Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions, regularly attracting a sell-out booking of 24 players per session – over 500 bookings in total, attracting over 400 unique players from a range of backgrounds to tennis – some returning to tennis after a long break, and many for the very first time.
To keep players engaged Nick has set up a Battersea Park Barclays Free Park Tennis Instagram account, to share videos and information that help to attract new participants, and regularly makes direct contact with players to increase engagement and continued bookings.
Opening doors to a new career
Since starting delivery of Barclays Fre Park Tennis, Nick has ignited a passion within himself, and has undertaken the LTA Level 1 Assistant Qualification, and is looking to begin the Level 2 Instructor course imminently.
Delivering Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions has provided a great opportunity to interact with players, organise fun and engaging sessions and further hone organisational and communication skills. Whilst not the main reason for becoming an activator, Nick feels that he has learnt and improved on so many life and employability skills since starting delivery of Barclays Free Park Tennis, including communication, organisation, confidence, listening and leadership.
Most importantly for Nick, delivering sessions for his community feels wholesome, allowing him to bring his abundance of energy and passion, and to get great satisfaction from serving a group of tennis players, who in turn may - one day - become activators themselves!
Keys to success
Nick credits part of the success of his Battersea Park Barclays Free Park Tennis programme to the online training provided by the LTA, and the use of the free downloadable resources such as sessions plans and additional content ideas.
He recommends that activators get comfortable with their lesson plan, and that all activators keep going – delivering your first session can be scary, but there are great rewards to be had if you persevere. One of the most motivational moments for Nick, was when he first reached double figures of attendees, after a few weeks of delivery. Nick felt that this was a great indication that the public valued the Barclays Free Park Tennis product, and wanted to continue to play regularly.
Quick-fire questions
What makes Barclays Free Park Tennis special?
“It's wholesome fun, and allows me to use my energy and passion to create an environment where others want to play”
Do you have 3 words to describe Battersea Parks Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions?
“Energetic, bespoke and fun!”
What has been your best moments as a Barclays Free Park Tennis Activator?
“Reaching Double figures of attendees was a great milestone to reach, and also receiving some really encouraging feedback from players” (some of which is shown here)
Why should other become a Barclays Free Park Tennis Activator?
“Its so rewarding, it helps you improve as a person, developing leadership skills plus its so wholesome – it gives me a lot of satisfaction to contribute to my community.”
Barclays Free Park Tennis has been an absolutely amazing initiative, as someone very new to tennis this was a great way to step my foot in - I attended 6 sessions conducted by Nick and Honour at Battersea Park, it was the best way to start my Sunday morning and see myself progress in the game, I’d definitely recommend this to someone wanting to start their tennis journey.
Set up Barclays Free Park Tennis at your park
Inspired by what Nick has created at Battersea Park? Barclays Free Park Tennis can help you grow your park and attract new players.
Find out how your park can get involved and start running sessions: