What does it take to move from being a successful coach to becoming an effective racquet sports director?

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale speak with Diego Leal Reyes, a member of the inaugural USTA Racquet Sports Management Apprenticeship class. Diego shares how his journey took him from collegiate tennis and an intended career in finance to coaching, club operations, and preparation for a leadership role in the racquet sports industry. His experience offers aspiring leaders an honest look at the many responsibilities that come with becoming a director. From managing staff and communicating with members to maintaining facilities, working with stakeholders, and making difficult decisions, Diego explains why leadership requires much more than strong on-court skills.

This episode is essential listening for coaches and racquet sports professionals who want to advance their careers. Through Diego’s experiences with mentorship, failure, emotional intelligence, networking, and personal well-being, the conversation demonstrates that leaders may never feel completely ready for their next position—but they can prepare themselves to make good decisions, seek support, and continue learning.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why being a successful coach does not automatically prepare someone to become a successful director
• How Diego transitioned from studying finance to pursuing a career in racquet sports
• Why performing less glamorous club responsibilities can provide valuable leadership experience
• How the USTA Racquet Sports Management Apprenticeship combines education, practical experience, and industry exposure
• Why directors must be prepared to manage people, facilities, members, and organizational stakeholders
• How mentors can adapt their leadership approach to different personalities and individual needs
• Why aspiring leaders may never feel completely ready for their next position
• How Diego learned from a difficult employee conversation that did not go as planned
• Why emotional intelligence, professional networks, and personal well-being are essential for long-term leadership success

Resources & Mentions:

USTA Racquet Sports Management Apprenticeship
USTA National Campus

Hosts:

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

Guest:

Diego Leal Reyes — USTA Racquet Sports Management Apprentice

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 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