Host the game you'd want to walk into
Captains are what makes the guarantee true. You greet the person who came on their own by name, check every court is close, and step on as the fourth when someone drops out. We're recruiting our first captains now, ahead of launch.
What a captain does
- Hosting
- Arrive before players do, set up courts, welcome everyone by name and walk anyone new to the three people on their court.
- The fourth
- If someone drops out late or picks up a knock, you play, at the court's Level, so the other three still get their game.
- Levels
- Watch round one and move anyone whose Level is off to a closer court. Your notes help settle new players' Levels faster.
- Check-in
- Check players in against the booking list, note no-shows and borrowed rackets.
- Rotations
- Run the format's published rotation — Americano schedule, Mexicano re-draw or fixed Social Doubles pairs. Every live court has four, so nobody sits out.
- Results
- Record scores on the session sheet and submit them after the session. In League fixtures, verify the score with both pairs before it is submitted.
- Safety and conduct
- Know the venue's first-aid point and emergency procedure, check courts are safe to play, and apply the code of conduct.
- Disputes
- Settle line calls and scoring questions on the night under the published rules. Anything you can't settle goes to the league coordinator with your notes.
- Play again
- Close the night by reminding everyone to tick who they'd play with again. It's how strangers become regulars.
- Wellbeing
- Make sure everyone gets a fair game, and pass any safeguarding concern to paduno the same day. How concerns are handled.
What we're looking for
| Your level | Comfortable at around 3.0 or aboveEnough to play as the fourth on any court in your game and explain the rules. You don't need to be a coach. Coaches with the LTA's padel courses are very welcome. |
|---|---|
| Your manner | Warm, organised, unflappableThe kind of person who notices who's standing on their own. |
| Time | About two hours a gameIncluding set-up and pack-down. Mostly late weekday courts, Sunday evenings and weekday daytime. |
| Checks | Proof of identity and referencesCaptains of sessions involving vulnerable adults will need an appropriate background check. |
| Women captains | Especially welcomeEvery women's game is hosted by a woman captain. About women's sessions. |
How you'd be paid
Straight answers, including what isn't decided yet. The aim: hosting pays at least the London Living Wage, even on a small night.
| Pay | Paid for each live court you host, plus holiday payRates are set once we've agreed courts with venues. Nothing here is an offer: rates will be confirmed in a written captain agreement before you host anything. |
|---|---|
| Basis | Planned as worker status, from day oneSo you get at least the minimum wage for your time and paid holiday, not just a fee. You choose which games you take. |
| Notice | Booked two days aheadGames are confirmed two days before. If we cancel after that, you're paid anyway. |
| Payment | Weekly, for games hosted the previous week |
| Training and kit | Provided before your first gameCovering the formats, scoring, check-in, levels, safety and conduct. |
The captain agreement, insurance and checks are being prepared with professional advice. We'll share the agreement before anyone signs up to host.