The Courtside Hubs team
Our management team comprises individuals who are fortunate to have enjoyed the benefits of professional sport as well as building a diverse skillset through tennis outreach and delivery. These skills of co-ordinating community programmes, attracting and retaining participants, and generating sustainable economics have proven highly transferable to other activities. It has been a privilege to see more people take part in entry level, informal recreation and it is now our mission to expand our local success into more areas.
We are indebted to our team of coaches, activators and volunteers who are just as passionate about the fun, fitness and friendship offered by physical activity in social settings. We are also supported behind the scenes by a host of experienced professionals covering architectural design, property construction, café operations, software development, financial control, marketing communications and customer service, which enable us to offer a turnkey solution for Councils.
Management 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.
Customer service team
Kylie
Customer Service Advisor
Kylie is part of our customer service team, she enjoys working with the team to find solutions for customers. In her free time, Kylie enjoys taking part in theatre and reading.
Charlotte
Customer Service Advisor
Charlotte is part of our customer service team and enjoys assisting people in getting in active. Charlotte spends her free time reading and working out with friends at the gym.
Gabriel
Customer Service Advisor
Gabriel is part of our customer service team. He likes solving problems and enjoys helping out fellow sports enthusiasts. Gabriel spends his free time watching sports and movies.
Justin
Customer Service Advisor
Justin is part of our customer service team and enjoys helping people out with their enquiries. In his spare time, he enjoys playing football and relaxing with his family.
Marketing team
Kate
Marketing Manager
Kate works in our Marketing team, where she designs and implements both B2B and B2C content marketing strategies. Typically, you can find Kate writing and designing email and PR campaigns as well as crafting website copy and writing social content. Kate worked in publishing before joining Courtside, where she’s found the perfect blend of her passions for both creativity and sport
Emily
Marketing Executive
Emily is part of our marketing team. She enjoys getting stuck into a range of tasks, such as managing our social media accounts, designing onsite signage and writing press releases. She spends her free time socialising with friends and going to the gym.
Bury Knowle Hub team
Tom Lambert
Activity Manager
Before becoming the Activity Manager at Courtside Bury Knowle, Tom was a tennis coach. He is a huge fan of sport and really values how it can be used to improve peoples lives. His own sporting life has seen success in both tennis and hockey, and now enjoys a round of golf or heading out for a cycle.
Harry Askew
Café Manager
Harry is part of the Café team, Harry is passionate about coffee and enjoys interacting with the community. Outside of work, Harry enjoys playing rugby.
Jamie Wolfenden
Café Supervisor
Jamie is part of the Bury Knowle café team. Having spent the last three years in local hospitality, Jamie loves a community space and is enjoying getting to know the people and pets of Bury Knowle!
The Leys Hub team
Saphron Driskell
Activity Manager
Saph started working with us as Deputy Café Manager of The Coffee Shed before becoming the Activity Manager of Courtside at The Leys. She is enthusiastic about getting people involved in exercise and enjoys catching up with the locals over a latté (or two).
Vonnie Whalley
Café Manager
Vonnie was the Café Manger of our first ever café, The Coffee Shed, and she is one of the reasons that the Shed became so popular that it outgrew its home in the old cricket pavilion. She is a campaigner for customer care, the chief architect of our cheeriness and keeps sincerity in our smiles!