At a Glance
- Tasks: Combine elite tennis playing with hands-on coaching to develop future talent.
- Company: Cardiff Met Sport, a leader in sport and wellbeing in Wales.
- Benefits: Fully funded Masters degree, generous leave, and excellent sports facilities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enhance your skills in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on Welsh tennis while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: LTA Level 2 coaching qualification and high-level competitive experience required.
Cardiff Met Sport is at the heart of sport, physical activity, health & wellbeing in Wales’ Capital City. Our mission is clear – ‘to profoundly enhance the lives of our communities, making them healthier and stronger as an outcome of engaging with us’. We work in partnership with a range of local, regional and national partners to develop and manage high quality sport facilities including, the National Indoor Athletics Centre, Tennis Centre and Archers Arena on our Cyncoed Campus along with a number of 21st Century Schools across the City.
Cardiff Met Sport is seeking to appoint a talented and motivated Tennis Player/Coach to support the continued growth and success of its high‑performance tennis programme and the Welsh National 14+ Performance Pathway. This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring performance player and coach looking to develop a long‑term career in tennis. The role uniquely combines elite playing commitments with hands‑on coaching experience, alongside the opportunity to undertake a funded postgraduate Masters degree within a leading higher education sport environment.
Based primarily at the Cyncoed Campus, you’ll work closely with the Head of Tennis, the National Performance Head Coach and key partners to support a performance programme delivered in partnership between Cardiff Metropolitan University and Tennis Wales. This collaboration underpins both the University’s high‑performance tennis environment and the Welsh National 14+ Performance Pathway. You will play a key role in representing Cardiff Met in BUCS and National League competitions while supporting the delivery of high‑quality coaching to developing Welsh players.
The post is offered on a fixed‑term basis for 2 years (September 2026 – August 2028), working approximately 10 hours per week of delivery alongside playing commitments and includes a fully funded Masters degree as part of the role.
What You’ll Bring
- A strong commitment to personal and professional development.
- The ability to meet entry requirements for a postgraduate Masters degree at Cardiff Met.
- A minimum LTA Level 2 coaching qualification, with a commitment to progress to Level 3.
- Proven experience competing at a high level (typically UTR 11+ male / UTR 8+ female).
- Experience coaching junior or performance-level tennis players.
- Knowledge of the UK tennis landscape, including pathways and competition structures.
- An understanding of BUCS tennis and university performance environments.
- Strong communication, organisational and teamwork skills.
- The ability to balance dual commitments as both a player and a coach.
- A passion for tennis and a clear ambition to build a long‑term career within the sport.
We offer excellent benefits such as:
- Annual leave of 25 days, rising to 30 days after 1 year’s service, plus 12 bank holiday / concessionary days.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with generous monthly contributions.
- Opportunities to learn and develop your skills with access to library and digital services facilities.
- Excellent sports and fitness facilities with subsidised membership.
- Free family access to our independent specialist wellbeing support provider, Health Assured.
Contact us
For more information about the role please contact Billy Barclay, Head of Tennis on BBarclay@cardiffmet.ac.uk, or feel free to contact Cerys Purdon, Recruitment Manager supporting this vacancy on cpurdon@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
Cardiff Metropolitan University is proud to be a Disability Confident employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. All applicants with disabilities, or those who are part of the Armed Forces community who during the shortlisting process meet the essential criteria for the role will be progressed to the next stage. The University is committed to creating a highly inclusive culture.
Tennis Player and Coach in Cardiff employer: Cardiff Met
Cardiff Met Sport is an exceptional employer, dedicated to enhancing the lives of communities through sport and wellbeing in Wales. With a strong focus on personal and professional development, employees benefit from a unique opportunity to combine elite tennis playing with coaching experience, alongside a fully funded postgraduate Masters degree. The supportive work culture, excellent benefits including generous annual leave and pension contributions, and access to top-notch sports facilities make Cardiff Met Sport an attractive place for those passionate about making a positive impact in the world of tennis.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tennis Player and Coach in Cardiff
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We think you need these skills to ace Tennis Player and Coach in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Cardiff Met aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cardiff Met
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Cardiff Met, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
