Luke Barker (Head Coach)

Luke Barker is Head Coach at Hackney Tennis and an LTA Level 4 Senior Club Coach currently progressing through the LTA Level 5 Coaching Qualification. He leads the borough-wide park coaching programme, managing a diverse coaching team and creating inclusive, high-energy sessions for players of all ages and standards. Alongside his on-court work, Luke is an LTA Schools Tutor and qualified LTA Tournament Referee, which means he not only coaches players but also supports the development of coaches, schools and competition across the pathway.

At Hackney Tennis, Luke oversees a busy calendar of junior and adult coaching, schools festivals, weekend matchplay and community events, with a strong emphasis on accessibility. He has built long-standing school partnerships, delivers popular in-curriculum and after-school programmes, and leads disability tennis in local SEN schools as well as a free weekly family session supported by volunteers. Before joining Hackney, Luke held Head Coach roles at Barnet Lawn Tennis Club and Northaw & Cuffley LTC, and worked in the USA with Cliff Drysdale Tennis Management, where he was promoted to Junior Director and grew a thriving programme through school outreach, tournaments, leagues and inclusive tennis initiatives.

Luke brings the perspective of an active competitor to his coaching. An LTA 3.1-rated player, multiple-time club singles, doubles and mixed doubles champion, and long-term men’s team captain in county leagues, he has extensive experience in both singles and doubles matchplay. Away from the court, he is also an accomplished distance runner, having progressed from a 3:03 marathon to a 2:36 personal best while raising over £13,500 for children’s, disability and homelessness charities through races and challenges. That blend of performance focus, resilience and empathy shapes his work every day at Hackney Tennis, where his aim is simple: for every player to leave the court feeling welcome, supported and excited to come back.