In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale speak with Joe Curto, the owner of Yonkers Tennis Center in Westchester County, New York. Curto speaks about the highs and lows of of the last 37 years of Club ownership, providing insights into the past and present journey into the role, transitioning from the day-to-day to delegation, what it takes to be a good leader, the people who make the difference, and the importance of continuous growth.

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

(Original air date: Sept 13, 2023. Re-aired July 17, 2024)

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale speak with Jason Allen. He is the Program Director for the USTA’s exciting new two year university like apprenticeship program, aimed at cultivating both on-court and off-court management skills essential for a thriving career in the racquet sports industry. This innovative program, led by Simon and Jason, offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application.

They discuss the program's evolution in response to the popularity of new racquet sports like pickleball and padel, questioning whether traditional tennis backgrounds are imperative for leadership roles in these emerging disciplines. Catering to professionals at various career stages and aspirations, they share how this is a structured - yet flexible - apprenticeship.

Wonder who the ideal candidate for this program is? You’ll find out from them as well! This episode also covers the program's financial incentives, including compensation details and career progression pathways post-apprenticeship.

The USTA believes this program's role is powerful in fostering a new generation of adaptable and visionary racquet sports leaders.

Tune in to discover how this apprenticeship program is shaping the future of racquet sports management, blending academic rigor with real-world application to prepare leaders who will drive innovation and inclusivity across diverse sporting communities.

Applications are now open and you can learn more.
Still have questions? Email rsma@usta.com

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale speak with Craig Morris, the USTA's Chief Executive for Community Tennis. Morris provides updates and insights into the USTA's plans and initiatives for addressing challenges in the recruitment and hiring of leaders in the racquets industry. He also shares his personal journey from tennis player to coach and leadership development and offers mentorship advice for aspiring industry leaders.

Kim and Simon discuss Morris's strategies for developing leadership competencies, career opportunities for young tennis professionals, growth and retention strategies for the sport, and the USTA's role in complementary sports. Morris highlights the shortage of coaches in the tennis industry and the potential industry leaders who can help fill that gap, while discussing the USTA's support for local game development.

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

(Original air date: May 17, 2023. Re-aired June 12, 2024)

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale engage in conversation with veteran industry leader Chuck Gill. Together they explore how Chuck intentionally navigated his career, setting personal goals in his learning and development to enable him to reach career longevity and success in all of his roles. As someone who has worked as a Director in many types of racquets facilities, Chuck gives some insights into the nuances of leadership in the profession, offering valuable advice on marketing strategies and inclusive practices. But that’s not all – he also shares 3 insightful interview questions you MUST ask in an interview! Future leaders need to listen!

More episode highlights:

• How to build relationships and be a people person in the tennis industry
• What you can do to plan your career path
• Why being intentional developing business skills and understanding the industry early can lead to future success
• What it means to embrace challenges
• When to rely on HR for help
• How to support and empower your team

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Start with Why - How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek
Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries by Safi Bachall

SEASON 4 SURVEY

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

Tracy Almeda-Singian, a former professional tennis player, is now the Senior Director of Sports Marketing at St Jude Children's Research Hospital. She shares her pivotal story about transitioning from a Head Professional and Director of Events at a tennis club to jumping into the corporate world of marketing. While in various roles she has learned many lessons about personal branding, social media, and networking. So why did she chose to leave tennis and how is she continuing to give back? You'll want to tune into this episode to find out.

More Episode Highlights

• How to live your find passion in your work life
• The pivotal moment she knew it was time to take a risk
• Why collaboration and teamwork is essential in any role you're in
• When to use social media to build your brand as a teaching pro
• How networking is crucial for career growth in the tennis industry
• Why learning never stops, especially as it relates to marketing trends
• How to embrace your identity beyond tennis and find fulfillment in other areas of life

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

Scott McCullough, the accomplished CEO of Cliff Drysdale and Peter Burwash International, joins hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale to explore the complexities of leadership within the racquets industry. With a global portfolio of over 70 clubs and resort facilities, Scott goes into the importance of understanding the unique needs of each club and embracing technology for operational efficiency. The conversation hits on the significance of empowering leaders, fostering a culture of opportunity, and prioritizing ongoing education and internal mobility. Through Scott's insights in this conversation, you will gain valuable perspectives on navigating the challenges and opportunities inherent in leading a large management company.

Join Scott, Kim, and Simon as they unravel the intricacies of racquets industry leadership in this insightful episode of Racquet Fuel.

Episode Highlights:

Leadership roles in the tennis industry
Managing many clubs with diverse goals and operation
Fostering a culture of sharing and alignment within a global organization

Prioritizing employee care, client satisfaction, and business growth

Education and networking with in an organization

Retaining and growing tennis and pickleball professionals

Leadership and tech adoption in the sports industry

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

There is high demand for teaching professionals in the industry, but is the current tennis and racquets teaching profession appealing for the next generation of workers?? It doesn’t appear to be.

From research, we know that the current 6 OR 7 DAY WORK WEEK that is industry norm is the number 1 reason that the industry has trouble retaining and attracting talent. For this reason, we are revisiting the discussion of the 5-day work week, that was first introduced by Simon and Kim in Episode 1 of Season 1.

The USTA National Campus staff has now experienced 18 months with a 5-day workweek, so Simon is able to share real data from the transition he instigated. To discuss their experiences after the transition, campus pros Dishon Deering and Bailey Robinson join the podcast and share about their new life balance from the point of view of a coach.

If you're in the position of hiring staff or thinking through your own next position, it’s important to know the science behind “best work performance” and what elements are necessary to keep a person thriving and engaged in their workplace.

Episode Highlights

• The majority of tennis industry professionals work six to seven days a week, leading to burnout and a lack of work-life balance.
• Implementing a five-day work week can improve the well-being and job satisfaction of pros.
• Selling oneself and effectively managing schedules are important skills for professionals to have to both build a book of business and to ensure a successful transition to a shorter work week.
• Cultural differences play a role in work-life balance, with some countries prioritizing rest and recovery.
• Offering a more sustainable work schedule can attract and retain talent in the tennis industry.

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!

Emma Wells, a successful coach, leader, business owner, and educator from the UK, shares her journey and experiences in the tennis industry. She discusses her early experiences in coaching and how she fell in love with tennis at a young age. On this podcast episode, she shares how she built her own successful business by focusing on branding and creating a unique customer experience wile also creating a positive team culture. Together with Kim Bastable and Simon Gale, Emma discusses the challenges of hiring in the UK due to Brexit and the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce.

Connect with Emma Wells on LinkedIn

Tennis in Wimbledon Park and Roehampton

Episode Highlights

• Building a strong brand and creating a unique customer experience are essential for success in the tennis industry.
• Managing people and holding them accountable is crucial for maintaining a positive team culture and driving the business forward.
• The impact of Brexit and COVID-19 has presented challenges in hiring and maintaining a workforce.
• Inspiring women and promoting female leadership in tennis is important for creating a more diverse and inclusive industry.
• Constantly absorbing experiences and learning is key to personal and professional growth in the tennis industry.

Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a PTR- or USPTA-Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!