Get to know Courtside

We believe that everyone should have equal access to a healthier and happier life.

This is why we are on a mission to transform outdoor public spaces into places where communities can come together to exercise and socialise.

Whether it be a toe-to-toe tennis match, a relaxed round of shuffleboard, or simply a coffee on a dog walk, we make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy in a place they are pleased to visit.

We don’t stop there though: we include local residents in our activity planning, host events for the community and maintain facilities with the ultimate aim of improving people’s experience of public spaces.

Our story

In 2015 our experienced and entrepreneurial management team founded a social enterprise called Parks Tennis CIC, bringing the benefits of tennis to tens of thousands of people. In 2020, Covid exposed health inequalities and reminded us all of the value of parks as places of rest and recreation. In 2021, Courtside was born out of a desire to reduce barriers to physical activity and to partner local authorities in the provision and maintenance of public facilities. Courtside invests in local parks, facilitating increased physical activity and fostering a greater sense of community. We’re proud to have built local partnerships in over 50 parks from Sheffield to Southampton, within which we have 90,000 active customers and have driven 1.5 million hours of community participation.

Explore our first hub

Courtside at Bury Knowle is the first completed Courtside hub, located in Headington, Oxford. The site was previously home to a disused pavilion which attracted anti-social behaviour, and tennis courts which were not fulfilling their potential due to their condition. Since the refurbishment of the old pavilion into an attractive community café, and the upgrades to the recreational facilities in the park, we've seen a huge drop in anti-social behaviour and an increase in activity participation with the tennis courts, multi-use games area and mini golf all in near constant use.

Our values

we are committed

We support local communities, working hard to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing

we are kind

We value relationships, seeking to treat everyone with respect and empathy at all times

we always try to be fun

We create opportunities for play and enjoyment, encouraging each other and lifting our spirits along the way

Our team

Jeff Hunter

Managing director

Responsible for business growth and account management. 15+ years management consultancy, event operations and sports marketing experience. MBA (with Distinction), London Business School & BA Hons Modern Languages, Oxford University. Former u.18 & current 50’s national tennis champion; Surrey county player for 30+ years; OU Triple Blue.

Nick Elliott

Operations director

Responsible for delivery process and coach education. Former national tennis lead for GLL, UK’s largest leisure trust, overseeing all workforce, content and delivery. Level 5 Master Performance Coach, tutor & course designer for LTA qualifications (Level 3-5). Strong man management and team-building skills.

Ed Isard

General manager, Oxfordshire

Responsible for 20 coaches operating in 32 venues. Level 5 Master Performance Coach, Oxford University Women’s Blues Coach & County Training lead. Former tennis manager at White Horse Leisure Centre, Abingdon (team of 15). Former Tennis Oxfordshire Committee member. Excellent programme development and coach management/mentoring skills

James Auckland

Director of programmes

Responsible for programme design .Level 5 Master Performance Coach & ex LTA’s men’s touring coach: first-rate observation/motivation skills. Lead coach tutor for Premier Tennis workforce & David Lloyd Clubs (200+ coaches). Former ATP pro tennis player, British doubles No. 1 & Team GB Davis Cup squad member.