Behind every successful tennis club, competition, programme and event, there is one thing that makes it all possible: volunteers.
From committee members and team captains to event organisers, inclusion champions and court maintenance teams, volunteers are the lifeblood of the tennis community. They dedicate their time, skills and energy to ensure that players of all ages and abilities can enjoy our sport in welcoming and thriving environments.
Across Middlesex, hundreds of volunteers work tirelessly behind the scenes every week. Their contribution often goes unseen, yet it has a profound impact. They organise competitions, welcome new members, support junior programmes, champion inclusion initiatives, manage club finances, promote events and help create the sense of community that makes tennis so special.
Without volunteers, many of the opportunities we enjoy today simply would not exist.
At Middlesex Tennis, we recognise that volunteers are essential to the future growth and sustainability of tennis. As participation continues to grow, so too does the need for passionate people willing to share their expertise and enthusiasm.
That is why supporting volunteers is a key priority for Middlesex Tennis.
We work closely with clubs and venues to help recruit, develop and recognise volunteers through a range of initiatives. These include volunteer training opportunities, networking events, mentoring, sharing best practice and celebrating outstanding contributions through our annual awards programme.
We also seek to create meaningful volunteer roles that allow individuals to develop new skills, gain valuable experience and make a genuine difference within their local tennis community.
Volunteering is not only beneficial for clubs and players; it can also be incredibly rewarding for the volunteers themselves. It offers opportunities to build confidence, meet new people, develop leadership skills and become part of something larger than themselves.
As tennis evolves, volunteers will continue to play a vital role in making the sport more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for everyone.
Whether you have a few hours each month or can take on a more regular role, there are many ways to get involved. Every contribution matters and every volunteer helps strengthen the future of tennis in Middlesex.
We would like to thank all of our volunteers for their dedication, commitment and passion. Your efforts help create opportunities for thousands of players across the county every year. 💙
The story of just one of the thousands of volunteers in Middlesex, who was recognised at our annual Middlesex LTA Awards in March, is documented below💙
Cathie Sabin Volunteer of the Year 2025 – Valerie Piper
Valerie has been a stalwart and highly respected member of Hatch End Tennis club for nearly forty
years.
Throughout her tenure she has been actively involved on the committee, in the teams and at social events.
Currently club secretary and, apart from the usual duties of this role, she uses her experience and knowledge of the club and passion for tennis to ensure all those on the committee work together to make the club the best it can be for the whole tennis community.
She sends out a weekly email bulletin and WhatsApp announcements which ensure that all members are able to keep up to date with club tennis and social activities, as well as including helpful tips on things like court etiquette and some of the more obscure rules, on which she is an authority.
Using her impressive organisational skills she has driven through numerous initiatives at the club. These include managing the recent refurbishment programme of the club, getting prices and specifying the work involved. She organises the annual open day to attract new members ensuring that it is publicised, that the coaching team and volunteers are available to support it and create a welcoming atmosphere.
She initiated the annual club clean up day, making sure that the tennis community support this event, but inevitably doing the most work herself, being first to arrive, last to leave and of course providing a delicious cake that she has baked.
Valerie manages the annual McMillan coffee morning which this year raised a record breaking £3500, she is amazing at galvanising a team to ensure the success of the day. She spearheaded the introduction of beginner’s social play, to help integration and retention of those new to tennis and has also initiated a singles box league which has seen over 50% take up by adult members, both men and women, and also included some of the children at the club.
She is very active in the club community and reaches out to anyone needing a dinner on the doorstep, a cake, or she arranges a friendly four to give someone an escape from whatever issue they need respite from.
Her own journey at tennis has not been easy and after struggling with a painful shoulder due to Osteoarthritis, she had to stop playing tennis for a while. She missed it so much that she started playing again with her left hand and has improved year on year, now playing and captaining the 3rd team in the Middlesex league.
She currently juggles visiting aged parents, 103 and 97, virtually everyday, supporting her daughter with two grandchildren of 3 months and 2 years and she still manages to play tennis, support all functions.
Valerie is quite simply the most efficient club secretary a club could wish for.
