Are you ready to take your coaching career to the next level? Hackney Tennis is seeking a dynamic, passionate, and visionary Lead Coach to be the driving force behind our thriving community tennis programme at Hackney Downs. This is more than just a coaching position—it’s an opportunity to inspire lives, nurture talent, and shape the future of grassroots and performance tennis in one of London’s most vibrant and diverse communities.

At Hackney Tennis, we believe in the transformative power of sport. Our programmes empower players of all ages and abilities—from enthusiastic beginners to rising stars—while championing inclusivity, diversity, and excellence. As the Lead Coach at Hackney Downs, you’ll play a pivotal role in fostering this mission, surrounded by a team that shares your love for tennis and your commitment to making a difference.

The Hackney Tennis Lead Coach (Hackney Downs) will oversee the delivery and development of a high-quality, inclusive, and comprehensive community tennis programme at Hackney Downs. This includes responsibility for mini tennis, juniors, adults, performance coaching, schools' outreach, team training, disability programmes and holiday camps.

The Lead Coach will play a pivotal role in driving participation, maintaining excellence, and fostering talent within Hackney Tennis’s thriving community.

Why Join Hackney Tennis?

Be at the Heart of Innovation

This is your chance to be at the forefront of one of London’s most dynamic tennis operators. With the full support of an experienced Managing Director (LTA Level 5), Head Coach (LTA Level 4) and coaching team, you’ll have the freedom to lead, develop, and elevate our coaching programmes, from mini tennis to performance pathways.

Shape the Future of Tennis

Hackney Tennis is a place where potential thrives. As Lead Coach, you’ll work with the team to identify and nurture talent through a proven Talent ID programme, helping athletic children unlock their potential and climb the ranks of competitive tennis.

Inspire a Diverse Community

Hackney is a borough like no other—rich in culture, creativity, and community spirit. You’ll work with players from all walks of life, promoting equality of opportunity and bringing tennis to schools, disability programmes, and beyond.

Grow and Lead

This is your opportunity to be a mentor, a leader, and an innovator. You’ll guide a team of passionate coaches, assistants, and volunteers, helping them reach their full potential while building a programme that sets the standard for excellence in community tennis.

Enjoy Flexibility and Fulfilment

With a blend of on-court coaching and strategic programme development, this role offers variety and the satisfaction of making a tangible impact. Plus, you’ll be leading programmes at Hackney Downs which is brimming with potential and scope.

Be Rewarded for Your Passion

Hackney Tennis values its people. Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll have access to professional development opportunities, the chance to attend exciting tennis events, and the opportunity to be part of a welcoming, supportive team.

Hackney Tennis (HT) is one of the largest providers of tennis services in the South-East of England, managing 7 tennis venues and a total of 27 tennis courts across Hackney.

HT’s mission is ‘Tennis for Everyone’ and we aspire to give as many people as possible the opportunity to play tennis at all levels and enjoy the associated physical and mental health benefits.

HT operates an open booking system to all and has over 20,000 players on its Clubspark Database. HT’s in-house coaching programme has over 130 coaching sessions per week and caters for all ages and abilities.

HT has over 20 teams (Juniors, Adults and Vet) competing in Summer and Winter Leagues and 230 players competing in its current singles league.

HT has a management team, operations team, 14 LTA accredited coaches and a supportive and knowledgeable Board of Trustees. HT has a strong partnership with Hackney Council and an ambitious shared vision for tennis development in the borough.

LTA Accredited+ Level 3 or 4 coach (Highly experienced level 2 coaches willing to embark on their level 3 should also apply)

Proven experience in tennis coaching, possessing the coaching skill, knowledge and energy to take on this role

Computer literate - competent in using Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Reliable, punctual & trustworthy

Experience delivering high quality tennis coaching to all ages and abilities

Able to work evenings and Saturdays (Sunday and Monday will be days off)

Experience coaching within schools and overseeing a school tennis programme

A collaborative team-player, capable, when necessary, of decisive management

Good playing standard

Strong work ethic and the ability to meet fluctuating workloads and pressure with a positive approach

Effective communicator - face-to-face, by telephone and email to people at all levels, both internally and externally with the ability to build and maintain excellent internal and external working relationships with a collaborative approach

Possessing expert knowledge, understanding and skills across the breadth of tennis, ensuring positive outcomes for players

Kind with absolute integrity

The ability to assist in marketing and public relations in all their facets by championing Hackney Tennis

A thorough understanding of safeguarding and child protection issues and a clear commitment to delivering best practice in Safeguarding

Have the skills to plan an inclusive and diverse tennis programme, valuing and promoting inclusion

Always striving to develop professionally