Hall Leys Park

We need YOU!

We are on the lookout for people (of any ability) who love tennis and want to help grow the game in their local park.

Why get involved?

  • The LTA Free Parks Tennis is a new programme that gives more people the chance to play tennis - offering fun, social tennis sessions at a local park court near you.

  • Sessions are free for all ages (8yrs+) and abilities, running for one hour every Sunday at 10am by a team of trained volunteers. AKA you! The Tennis Activators will work with our Move More Cordinators to deliver the sessions.

  • Proposed start date for sessions for 2026 is Sunday 7th June 10am-11am. BIG Tennis Weekend is planned for Satudray 18th July (so there will be no Sunday Free parks tennis as activities will be on Saturday.

  • Tennis Activators work together as a team to run fun games and exercises that will help more people get active and discover their love for tennis. Training, equipment (and a hoody!) provided.

 

Interested?

If your interested in becoming a Parks Tennis Activator, please email our Sports Development Team (sportsdevelopment@derbyshiredales.gov.uk) and we will help you on your way to inspiring a new group of tennis players!

 

About the role

The LTA’s vision is “Tennis Opened Up” and its mission is to transform communities through tennis, making the sport relevant, accessible, welcoming, enjoyable, and inspiring for all. We are seeking volunteers to deliver fun engaging tennis sessions in your local communities, helping more people to pick up a racquet and get on court, benefiting from the positive physical, mental and social outcomes that tennis can bring. As a Barclays Free Park Tennis Activator, you will need to bring enthusiasm, energy and organisation to the sessions – but you definitely don’t need to be a good tennis player to run a great session – having fun is more important here!

As a Barclays Free Park Tennis Activator, you will be deployed, and supported by Active Dales Team (Derbyshire Dales District Council) as the operator of parks in Matlock Hall Leys Park to deliver fun sessions, that help to get more people on to court to play with family and friends – often for the first time!

Key Responsibilities 

  • To be part of a small team of Barclays Free Park Tennis Activators delivering fun and engaging one-hour introductory tennis sessions weekly at your local park(s). This is an activation role, not a coaching role.

  • Each week, you will welcome and register people on to court and hand out equipment (which we can provide you with), organise fun, simple activities for people to play in, and then collect equipment in at the end.

  • Deliver Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions as part of a team of Activators, working collaboratively with the park operator and other Activators to ensure the smooth ongoing sessions run weekly.

  • Learn from other Activators, the parks Operator and Coaches, and those supporting you in delivering Barclays Free Park Tennis.

  • To complete session registers using a booking app that can be downloaded on to your phone or other device.  

  • Manage a group of participants whilst maintaining a safe and enjoyable session

  • To collect tennis equipment in after the session. Facilitate communications with programme participants and encourage others to volunteer 

Person Specification

  • To be welcoming and treat everyone as a friend.

  • Enthusiasm for tennis.

  • Good communication skills, and experience of organising people to play are beneficial, but not essential, as the online training course will give you all the knowledge you need.

  • Passion for helping families and adults to become and remain active.

  • Be kind and respectful.

  • Be reliable and consistent.

  • To embody the LTA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy

Benefits

There are numerous benefits that being a Barclays Free Park Tennis Activator provides:

  • Entry into the volunteer Wimbledon Ticket Ballot for all activators who deliver sessions.

  • Gain a sense of belonging by being part of a team of activators who will deliver free tennis sessions in your local area benefiting members of your community. 

  • Opportunity to create healthier and happier people, and to spark a lifelong passion for sport. 

  • Free online training course provides all the knowledge and skills you will need, plus shadowing opportunities to learn from other Activators or coaches.  

  • Learn new skills. 

  • Give back to your local community and become a leader within it.  

  • Develop your own confidence, boost self-esteem and life satisfaction. 

  • Help develop a strong tennis community in your local park. 

  • Increase job prospects and employability. 

  • Have great fun whilst playing and empowering others to play a sport.  

  • Receive a Barclays Free Park Tennis hoodie once online training is complete.

  • A great opportunity for the family to play and be active together while you volunteer.