Petition addressed to: NTA Southwark Park Tennis
Our NTA tennis coaching team at Burgess Park, Geraldine Mary Harmsworth, Tanner Street, Southwark Park and Brunswick Park spends long hours on court, often in direct sun, with limited access to shade. To keep them safe and reduce the risk of heat‑related illness, we’re asking the club to install simple shade solutions like parasols or canopies.
Please add your name to this petition and help ensure a safer working environment for our coaches.
Petition: Protect Tennis Coaches from Heat‑Related Health Risks
We, the undersigned, call on the management of Southwark Parks Tennis to take immediate steps to safeguard the health and safety of our tennis coaching staff during hot weather conditions. Coaches spend prolonged periods on court with limited opportunity for rest or shade, placing them at increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
To fulfil the club’s duty of care and ensure a safe working environment, we request the installation of adequate shade solutions—such as fixed canopies, portable parasols, or other effective coverings—on all coaching courts. These measures are essential to reducing exposure to extreme heat and preventing avoidable health hazards.
By implementing practical shade provisions, the club will demonstrate its commitment to staff wellbeing, legal health‑and‑safety obligations, and the long‑term sustainability of its coaching programme
The need for shade on court has become even more pressing after the unusually intense May 2026 heatwave. With temperatures now spiking earlier in the year — a pattern consistent with ongoing global warming — coaches are facing higher and more frequent risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Petition started:
06/01/2026
Collection ends:
11/30/2026
Region:
London Borough of Southwark
Topic:
Sports
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I believe installing parasols or shaded areas for coaches would benefit not only their health and wellbeing, but also the club as a whole.
Coaches spend many hours outdoors in all weather conditions, and having access to shade would provide them with a more comfortable place to rest between lessons and protect them from prolonged sun exposure. When coaches are able to take proper breaks, they are more likely to maintain high energy levels, stay positive, and deliver the best possible experience for their students.
This ultimately benefits students as well. Better-rested coaches can provide higher-quality lessons, creating a more enjoyable learning environment and helping students get more value from their sessions. Happy students are more likely to continue their lessons and recommend the club to others.
The investment required is relatively small, as even a budget-friendly parasol or shade structure can last for many years. Considering the benefits for coaches, students, and the club, this would be a practical and worthwhile improvement that creates a win-win situation for everyone.