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!
Laurie Mackenzie
Tennis Coach
Laurie is a level 4 senior club coach working across Oxfordshire and you will often see him at Bury Knowle. He currently coaches at Oxford University, Oxford Brookes and manage a growing program of nearly 200 players of all ages. He specialises in working in community tennis and is passionate about getting people into tennis. In his spare time I enjoy watching all sports and learning Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Jose Oliveira Costa
Tennis Coach
Jose is a qualified tennis professional with the LTA, the Portuguese Tennis Federation, the United States Professional Tennis Association and RPT Spain. Jose graduated in Sport and Physical Education with a specialisation in High-Performance Training from the University of Porto. For the past seven years, Jose has been based in Oxford working with Courtside. He is helping adults improve their game and getting some juniors to compete in national and international tennis tournaments.
Ashley Robinson
Tennis Coach
Ashley is a Level 3 Accredited+ Coach with over 5 years of experience coaching within varied club programmes in Cornwall, Gloucestershire and now in the parks/tennis centres around Oxford. He currently works with mini/ junior beginners all the way to squad players plus plenty of adults of different levels. Ashley has been passionate about the sport of tennis since a young age and loves seeing players progress in the sport. His other interests include cricket and enjoying local food and coffee spots. Please email him on ashlrob97@gmail.com if you're interested in 1-1 lessons.
Simon Jeacock
Tennis Coach
Simon is a Level 3 Accredited coach with 5 years of full time coaching experience including: Adults (all levels), Juniors, Beginners & Performance, Cardio tennis and Disability sessions. He started playing tennis when I was 8 and been in love with it ever since. Other qualifications: BSc degree in Sports coaching 2:1, Level 3 personal training (CIMSPA), RPT level 3 tennis instructor. Other interests & passions: The gym and training, cooking nutritious meals and following boxing. Simon also offers individual coaching, contact him for more details: Telephone: 07714027740 Email: Sijeacock@hotmail.com
Clive Crichton
Tennis Coach
Clive is an LTA Level 2, LTA DBS, First Aid trained and LTA accredited coach. He started playing tennis at 7 years old and went on to play high level ITF and junior tournaments. At 18 years old he spent a year touring Germany and competing at a high level of various senior tournaments. He has now been coaching for 3 years in the UK. Clive brings a world of knowledge and experience to each coaching session with a high energy and supportive approach. Mobile: 07368179732
David Canning
Tennis Coach
After nearly 40 years in the construction industry David decided it was time for a change of career. David is now a level 2 assistant coach (looking to take the level 3 qualification in the near future) has been coaching and working for Courtside for nearly a year, assisting senior coaches, running group coaching from red ball group juniors to experienced adults and individuals. He also a Free Parks activator allowing anyone to access local courts and play for free. He is passionate about helping everyone achieve their full potential on court, but most of all making sure that everyone has a fun, engaging and safe time that will hopefully see them playing for a lifetime. When he is not working or playing he enjoys riding his 1000cc motorbike in the summer or relaxing at home playing guitar.
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!
Hillsborough Hub team
Reuben Newman-Billington
Activity Co-ordinator
Hi I’m Reuben, I’m an LTA accredited level 2 tennis coach with 6 years experience. In 2021, I was awarded LTA National Young Person of the Year for my work as a coach during lockdowns. I have worked with all ages and abilities from complete beginners to a Paralympic athlete. I have also played tennis competitively myself, such as playing the European Student Games in Poland representing my university. I always bring high energy and a friendly face to tennis sessions as I aim to make tennis accessible, enjoyable and inclusive for everyone. I look forward to seeing you on the court!
Charlie Parfett
Tennis Coach
Hi I’m Charlie and I am an LTA Level 2 coach. I have been playing tennis since I was 7 years old and have always had a passion for the sport which I would love to share with you. I work with both adults and kids and have assisted in coaching groups of visually impaired and autistic players. I always try to make my sessions as engaging and fun as possible. I coach a wide range of abilities and welcome anyone who wants to improve their game or just have some fun learning new techniques. If you are interested in private coaching, contact me on charlieparfett@gmail.com.
Mal Ward
Tennis Coach
Hi, i'm Mal. I have been working as an LTA accredited development coach since 2006, originally based in North Nottinghamshire. Having trained as an independent financial advisor, I balance coaching with the world of finance; though very different, both roles enable me to help players and customers to realise their respective goals. I'm pleased to be on the Courtside team bringing tennis to the community through delivering sessions in parks and local schools. For private lessons, contact me on wardbond42@gmail.com.