Volunteering in tennis is fun, rewarding and enables thousands of people to play tennis week-in, week-out. Whether or not you play tennis and however much you wish to get involved, there’s always a way you can help: whether it’s lending a hand here and there, volunteering at one of our major events or getting involved in the running of the club. There are countless opportunities and thousands of people volunteering every year – why not join them and make a difference?
Getting started
If you’re not sure how to get involved, you may find it helpful to think about what you want to get out of the experience. Are you looking to boost your CV and gain a new skill? Are you interested in meeting new people? Or perhaps you just want to give something back. Working out your motivations will help shape the role you’re looking for.
Volunteering at a tennis club or venue
The majority of tennis venues simply wouldn’t run without the support of volunteers, and there’s almost certainly a way you can get involved, however much time you have to give. From supporting at club events to helping with the marketing and local promotion, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re already a member of a venue, the best way to start volunteering is to ask the club volunteer coordinator, secretary or other committee member as to how you can help out. Don’t be afraid to ask: it’s very likely that your venue has many ways for you to get involved, but the roles are just not being advertised.
If you’re not a member of a venue, you can find your nearest club or park using our find a venue tool, or email volunteer@lta.org.uk and we will put you in touch with a local venue. And remember – you do not need to play tennis or be a member to volunteer – so we’d love to hear from you if you’re looking to get stuck in!
Volunteering in your community
Serves is a fantastic community tennis programme aimed to transform the lives of disadvantaged people by giving them the opportunity to play tennis.
The programmes takes tennis into places it’s never been before, equipping local people trusted and rooted in communities with the skills to provide tennis activities for everyone. As part of Serves, the Tennis Activator course trains community champions with basic tennis organisation and delivery skills to confidently run a session in a fun and informal way. We also provide a range of dynamic and flexible resources including a permanent pop up court, alongside modified kit (soft balls, appropriately sized rackets and nets).
If you’re interested in becoming a Tennis Activator in your community, email us at volunteer@lta.org.uk.
Volunteering in your county
County tennis associations support clubs, leagues and run competitions to grow and support local tennis. Although there are some paid administrators, most county members are volunteers and there are a range of committee roles available. Alternatively you could offer to help at a county competition, especially if you’re attending to play or support young players. Contact your county to find out more.
Volunteering at Major Events
There are exciting opportunities to volunteer at many of the major tennis events in Britain – such as the Nottingham Open, the Birmingham Classic and the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships. Davis Cup and Fed Cup ties also rely on volunteer support and provide a fantastic way to cheer on the Brits from the tramlines!
Opportunities to volunteer at these events are usually advertised on the LTA website three to four months before each event. See our Major Event Volunteers page for further information.
Have you ever considered coaching?
If you are already volunteering then why not take it a step further and become a qualified coaching assistant at Level 1? It takes just three days and a pinch of work experience to qualify at Level 1. Coaching is a rewarding activity and provides an opportunity to really inspire people to pick up a racket for life. For more information, head to our coach qualifications page today!
Other opportunities
It’s also worth checking out Do-It Trust or Join in for more opportunities to suit you.