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

What if the most successful racquet sports leaders aren’t the most credentialed—but the most adaptable, self-aware, and committed to culture fit?

In this episode, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Andrew Minnelli, Director of Racquets at Bighorn Golf Club and Consultant with GSI Executive Search, to explore what modern leadership, hiring, and career growth really look like in today’s racquet sports industry.
Drawing from his unique dual role, Andrew shares insights from both sides of the interview table: leading a high-level club operation while helping facilities nationwide identify and place top talent. Whether you’re an aspiring director, a seasoned pro, or a club decision-maker, this conversation offers clarity on fit, balance, and building long-term success.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why culture fit and passion often matter more than a long list of certifications
• How COVID reshaped racquet sports leadership and accelerated multi-sport oversight
• Common interview mistakes candidates make—and how to avoid leading with the wrong agenda
• Why a strong 90-day plan should focus on listening, not instant solutions
• How search firms help uncover a club’s true needs—and prepare candidates for success
• What “balance is earned” really means for leaders managing teams, families, and careers
• A mindset shift: how being the best part of someone else’s day strengthens leadership impact

Resources & Mentions

• GSI Executive Search — Executive recruiting and leadership consulting for clubs
• BigHorn Golf Club— Boutique, high-touch club model in Palm Desert
• International POP Tennis Association — Expanding access and innovation in racquet sports

Hosts:

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

Guest:

• Andrew Minnelli — Director of Racquets at BigHorn Golf Club & Consultant with GSI Executive Search

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 & Enroll Here