What if the biggest barrier to growing tennis isn’t getting families interested, but making it easy enough for them to actually sign up?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale examine the tennis registration process through the eyes of a busy parent who wanted to introduce her children to the sport. Despite her interest, confusing program descriptions, unclear skill levels, membership requirements, and a difficult registration process ultimately caused her to walk away.

Her experience offers racquet sports leaders a rare look at the customers they often never hear from: those who are interested in playing but leave before ever stepping onto the court. From simplifying industry jargon and improving facility websites to offering free assessments and shorter beginner commitments, the conversation reveals how seemingly small points of friction can become significant barriers to participation.

This episode is essential listening for any director, coach, or facility leader responsible for attracting and retaining new players. As Simon points out, a club’s biggest competition may not be another tennis facility, but rather, it may be the sports and activities that are simply easier for families to understand, access, and join.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why confusing websites and registration systems can cause potential players to give up before ever reaching the court
• How industry language like red, orange, green, and yellow ball can overwhelm parents who are new to tennis
• Why age-based pathways don’t always provide clear answers for older beginners entering the sport
• How a free 30-minute assessment can give families the confidence and clarity they need to get started
• Why parents increasingly expect registration to be simple, immediate, and available online
• How clearly communicating what to wear, bring, and expect can reduce anxiety for first-time families
• Why shorter introductory sessions may make tennis feel more approachable than a long-term commitment
• How AI and online search are changing the way parents discover and evaluate local racquet sports programs
• Why racquet sports leaders need to think about the customers who disappear without ever telling them why

Resources & Mentions:

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller — Covers the importance of removing industry jargon and communicating in language customers can immediately understand.

Red, Orange, Green, Yellow (ROGY) Pathway — Tennis development pathway discussed throughout the episode and the challenges it can create for parents unfamiliar with the sport.

Hosts:

Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management
Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports Development

Learn More & Get Certified:

Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS

- Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Code:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact: UFDORS@.ufl.edu

Taking a look back at one of our favorite conversations from the Racquet Fuel Podcast, we’re republishing this episode featuring Kim Bastable and Simon Gale’s engaging discussion with Mike Barrell on the evolving landscape of racquet sports.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the tennis industry, Mike explores the impact of pickleball and padel on traditional tennis, the economic considerations reshaping racquet facilities, and the importance of social engagement in building lasting communities. This conversation remains highly relevant as tennis continues to innovate, adapt, and learn from the success of complementary racquet sports while staying true to its core identity. They discuss the economic considerations that are reshaping tennis facilities, the importance of fostering social engagement in sports, and how coaches play a crucial role in building a thriving tennis community. Throughout the discussion, the focus remains on the need for tennis to innovate and adapt while staying true to its core identity.

What You'll Learn:

• How the rise of pickleball and padel presents both opportunities and challenges for tennis
• Economic viability and how clubs can balance costs with offering complementary racquet sports
• Why social engagement is key to retaining tennis players and how programming can support this
• The crucial role of coaches in connecting players and fostering community in tennis
• The 'leaky bucket' problem in tennis retention and how to address it
• Pickleball's success in accessibility and social play - what tennis can learn
• The need for tennis to innovate and compete with pickleball's marketing success

Hosts:

Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management
Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports Development

Guests:
Mike Barrell - Executive Director of Tennis, Sportime Clubs NY

Learn More & Get Certified:
Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:
Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS

- Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Code:
Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact: UFDORS@.ufl.edu

What if the key to attracting and retaining the next generation of racquet sports professionals is simply listening to them?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale turn the microphone over to the next generation of racquet sports professionals. Joining them are Christian Cannon, University of Florida Director of Racquet Sports master's student, and Ethan Patrick, a Racquet Sports Management student at Hope College. Instead of talking about Gen Z, this conversation gives Gen Z the opportunity to speak for themselves. Together, they challenge common stereotypes, discuss what motivates young professionals, and share how today's directors can better attract, develop, and retain the next generation of racquet sports leaders. From technology and social media to leadership, mentorship, and career development, this episode provides valuable insight for club owners, directors, and managers preparing for the future of the industry. If you're wondering how to engage young staff members, empower future leaders, and build stronger teams, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Gen Z values purpose, trust, and growth opportunities just as much as compensation
• How giving young professionals a seat at the table builds confidence, ownership, and leadership skills
• Why understanding the "why" behind decisions increases engagement and motivation
• How fresh perspectives and inexperience can become a competitive advantage for organizations
• Why social media, short-form video, and digital storytelling are becoming essential marketing tools for clubs
• How directors can better challenge Gen Z employees without creating unnecessary friction
• Why diversified job responsibilities beyond coaching help improve retention and professional development
• What today's young professionals are really looking for in racquet sports careers—and why many stereotypes about Gen Z don't tell the whole story

Resources & Mentions:

Racquet Fuel: Leading Gen Z: Shaping the future of work with Tim Elmore— Leadership insights from Dr. Tim Elmore on leading and developing Generation Z

Hosts:

Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management
Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports Development

Guests:
Christian Cannon - University of Florida Director of Racquet Sports master's student
Ethan Patrick - Racquet Sports Management student at Hope College

Learn More & Get Certified:
Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:
Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS

- Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Code:
Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact: UFDORS@.ufl.edu

What happens when you combine pickleball, hospitality, entertainment, and community into one experience-driven business model?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Kelli Alldredge, President of Chicken N Pickle, to explore how one of the most recognizable names in pickleball entertainment grew from a bold idea in Kansas City into a nationally recognized hospitality brand with 13 locations across the country. Long before pickleball exploded during the pandemic, Chicken N Pickle saw the sport’s unique power to bring people together. Kelli shares the story behind the company’s early vision, how she went from customer to president, and why the organization’s real success comes not from pickleball itself, but from creating meaningful human connection through food, celebration, and shared experiences. This conversation matters for anyone leading a racquet sports business, operating a facility, or trying to build community around sport. Whether you manage a tennis club, pickleball venue, or multi-sport facility, you’ll gain valuable insight into hospitality-driven business models, experiential programming, and how to create spaces people genuinely crave returning to.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Chicken N Pickle views itself as a hospitality and human connection business—not just a pickleball company
• How “owning celebrations” became a core part of the organization’s business strategy
• Why food, entertainment, and dwell time are critical to long-term facility success
• How Kelli Alldredge evolved from customer to president by leading with passion and adaptability
• Why inclusive programming and community impact are essential to the future of pickleball
• The importance of creating experiences that make guests want to stay for hours—not just play and leave
• How Chicken N Pickle balances growth, hospitality, and operational complexity across multiple locations
• Why racquet sports leaders should think beyond court revenue when building sustainable businesses

Resources & Mentions:

Chicken N Pickle— Hospitality and entertainment brand combining pickleball, dining, and community-driven experiences

Hosts:

Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management
Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports Development

Guest:

Kelli Alldredge — President, Chicken N Pickle

Learn More & Get Certified:

Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS

- Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Code:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact: UFDORS@.ufl.edu

What can racquet sports leaders learn from one of the world’s most admired service organizations?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Holly Rivera, Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Orlando, to explore how one of the most recognizable brands in customer service develops leaders, builds intentional career pathways, and creates a culture where hospitality becomes a competitive advantage. From hiring for humility and soft skills to designing structured growth plans that start on day one, Holly shares how Chick-fil-A transforms part-time employees into future leaders through clear systems, personal investment, and purpose-driven leadership. Her insights offer a unique perspective for racquet sports directors, facility managers, and business owners seeking to improve staff retention, customer experience, and leadership development within their own organizations. This conversation matters for anyone building teams, managing people, or trying to create exceptional customer experiences. Whether you lead a club, operate a facility, or manage a growing business, you’ll gain practical strategies for developing talent, retaining staff, and building a service-first culture.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why hiring for character, humility, and soft skills often matters more than experience
• How structured career pathways improve retention and long-term employee growth
• Why leadership development should begin at orientation, not promotion
• How lateral growth opportunities can keep team members engaged without burnout
• The importance of promoting employees only after they’re already demonstrating leadership readiness
• How consistent retraining and coaching maintain elite service standards
• Why purpose-driven leadership helps teams make better decisions than fear-based management

Resources & Mentions:

Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program— Competitive operator and corporate training system

Hosts:

Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management
Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports Development

Guest:

Holly Rivera — Chick-fil-A Owner-Operator

Learn More & Get Certified:

Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS

- Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Code:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact: UFDORS@.ufl.edu

What if the future of racquet sports leadership depends not just on understanding the game, but on knowing how to tell its story, build belief, and lead through change?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Ben Nichols, founder of Padel 22, to explore how communication, strategy, and storytelling are shaping the next chapter of racquet sports. With a background spanning Wimbledon, the Australian Open, Formula One, and global sport communications, Ben brings a wide-angle view to one of the industry’s fastest-growing conversations: how leaders should think about padel, pickleball, tennis, and the evolving racquets landscape.

This conversation matters for directors, coaches, club leaders, and anyone trying to navigate growth in a changing industry. Whether you are deciding whether to add a new sport, trying to influence boards or investors, or learning how to lead a team beyond on-court expertise, this episode offers practical insight on what modern racquet sports leadership requires.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why storytelling is no longer just a marketing skill, but a leadership skill
• How padel -- whether you pronounce it "pa-DEL" or "PAD-dle" -- is growing internationally and what that means for the U.S. market
• What directors should consider when balancing tennis, pickleball, and padel
• Why great coaches do not automatically become great business leaders
• How clubs can think more strategically about programming, pricing, and participation
• Why qualitative stories and quantitative data both matter when influencing decision-makers
• How racquet sports can create community, belonging, and long-term engagement
• Why the leaders who succeed next will be the ones looking ahead, not standing still

Resources & Mentions:

Padel 22 — Communications and storytelling consultancy focused entirely on padel
Playtomic — Global racquet sports booking and technology platform
Premier Padel — International professional padel tour
Hexagon Cup — Professional team padel competition
LTA — Lawn Tennis Association, the governing body for tennis and padel in Great Britain
U.S. Padel Association — National governing body supporting padel growth in the United States

Hosts:

Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management
Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports Development

Guest:

Ben Nichols — Founder of Padel 22

Learn More & Get Certified:

Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS

- Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Code:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact: UFDORS@hhp.ufl.edu

What does it take to build a successful tennis academy that not only develops players, but also develops people?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale speak with Tina Keown and Jack Glennane, directors of the Victorian Tennis Academy. Operating four venues and 24 courts just minutes from the Australian Open grounds, VTA has become one of Australia’s leading tennis organizations, earning multiple Tennis Australia awards along the way. Tina and Jack share how they’ve built a thriving multi-venue tennis business by focusing on people first. From implementing a seven-tier career pathway for coaches to shifting toward more sustainable employment models, they discuss how leadership, culture, and long-term thinking can help clubs retain great staff and deliver exceptional experiences for players. They also reflect on their own journeys from casual coaches to directors and the lessons learned while balancing leadership, operations, and growth.

This conversation matters for anyone managing a tennis program, leading a racquet sports department, or trying to create a sustainable coaching workforce. Whether you run a single facility or oversee multiple locations, you’ll gain practical insight into building strong teams, empowering staff, and evolving from working in the business to leading it strategically.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why hiring for values first helps build stronger coaching teams
• How creating a clear career pathway can turn coaching jobs into long-term professions
• Why the tennis industry often loses coaches to other industries—not competing clubs
• How owner-operators can balance day-to-day operations with long-term leadership
• The importance of empowering staff with ownership and leadership opportunities
• Why investing in professional development and education helps retain great coaches
• How diverse programming—from court hire to adult leagues—creates a more sustainable business model

Resources & Mentions:

• Victorian Tennis Academy — Multi-location tennis academy based in Melbourne, Australia
• Tennis Australia — Learn more about what Australia has to offer for the racquet sports world

Hosts:

• Kim Bastable — UF Director of Racquet Sports Education
• Simon Gale — USTA Leader & Facility Executive

Guests:

• Tina Keown — Director, Victorian Tennis Academy
• Jack Glennane — Director, Victorian Tennis Academy

Learn More & Get Certified:

Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:

Personal Brand Management for the Racquets Industry — UF PBM
Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS
- Course 1 completion is required for Course 2.

Discount Codes:

Personal Brand Management for the Racquets Industry: Use code “RF25” for $25 off

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:

Contact: UFDORS@hhp.ufl.edu

What if the future of racquet sports growth depends less on tradition and more on designing experiences for beginners, families, and urban communities?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Anthony Evrard, Co-founder and CEO of Court 16, to explore how innovation, listening, and purposeful design are reshaping the way families enter tennis. What began in a Brooklyn industrial building with red ball courts has evolved into a multi-location, multi-generational racquet concept backed by strategic partners including Babolat and USTA Ventures.

This conversation matters for anyone building programs, launching facilities, or trying to grow the game in non-traditional markets. Whether you lead a private club, public facility, or are dreaming up your own concept, you’ll come away with practical insight on carving out a niche and staying adaptable.

What You’ll Learn

• Why competing for families’ time, not other clubs, changes your programming strategy
• How “learn here, play anywhere” creates clarity in junior pathway development
• Why niche specialization often beats trying to serve every segment
• The power of listening and responding quickly to your community
• How engaging the entire family strengthens retention and growth
• Why letting players move on can actually build long-term loyalty
• What it means to run your business like a “living Google document”

Resources & Mentions

• Court 16 — Urban, family-focused tennis clubs founded in Brooklyn
• USTA Ventures (Court 16) — Growth-focused investment arm of USTA

Hosts:

• Kim Bastable — UF Director of Racquet Sports Education
• Simon Gale — USTA Leader & Facility Executive

Guest:

• Anthony Evrard — Court 16 Co-Founder and CEO

Learn More & Get Certified

Racquet Fuel is powered by the University of Florida’s Director of Racquet Sports Certificate Program, the industry’s leading education for current and aspiring racquets leaders. Explore our self-paced online courses — Personal Brand Management, Operations & Programming, and Leadership & Finance — and join the next generation of directors shaping the future of the game.

Learn more here:

• Personal Brand Management for the Racquets Industry — UF PBM
• Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1
• Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS 2
  • Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Codes:

Personal Brand Management for the Racquets Industry: Use code “RF25” for $25 off

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact UFDORS@hhp.ufl.edu