What does it take to preserve and grow tennis facilities in today’s ever-changing landscape? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Mary Buschmann, Executive Director of USTA Missouri Valley, to explore the challenges and opportunities of managing public tennis facilities, engaging local communities, and ensuring long-term success. Mary shares the fascinating story behind the Plaza Tennis Center, a 100-year-old facility established and operated by the KC Parks and Recreation Department in Kansas City, MO. IN 2024, USTA Missouri Valley developed a partnership with the KC Parks to revitalize the facilities, breathing new life and utilization. From navigating parks department partnerships to rethinking how success is measured, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone involved in tennis leadership. By the end of this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why community engagement is the key to a thriving tennis facility ✅ How USTA Missouri Valley stepped in to save the Plaza Tennis Center ✅ The importance of measuring success by court utilization, not just profit ✅ The biggest leadership lessons from Mary’s 20-year career in tennis ✅ Why creative programming (like day camps, corporate play, and red-ball tennis ) is essential for growth ✅ The challenge of finding and developing talent in the racquet sports industry ✅ Why strong partnerships with parks departments make or break public facilities ✅ How USTA’s commitment to infrastructure improvements is shaping the future of tennis Listen now to gain valuable insights on leadership, community impact, and the evolving role of tennis facilities! Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

Artificial Intelligence isn’t the future - it’s already here, shaping the way we work, coach, and lead. But how is AI impacting the racquet sports industry, and what does that mean for coaches, directors, and business leaders? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale dive into the rapid evolution of AI, discussing how it’s already transforming their workflows and what’s coming next. From coaching tools to club management efficiencies, they explore both the opportunities and ethical considerations AI brings to the industry. By the end of this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why AI has been part of our lives longer than we realize (and how it’s expanding) ✅ How tools like ChatGPT and AI-powered video analysis are revolutionizing education and coaching ✅ The biggest time-saving applications for AI in club leadership and operations ✅ Why prompting skills are essential for getting the best AI-generated results ✅ How AI can enhance performance analysis, lesson planning, and customer experience ✅ The ethical considerations around AI-generated content and how to use it responsibly ✅ Why adapting to AI isn’t optional - it’s a necessity for future success Want to stay ahead of the curve? If you’re a coach, director, or industry leader looking to understand AI’s impact, this episode is packed with insights on how to integrate AI into your daily operations... without losing the human touch. Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

What does it take to own and operate a thriving racquet club in today’s market? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Elliott McDermed, co-owner of Overland Park Racquet Club, to dive deep into the journey from teaching pro to club owner. Elliott shares the realities of club ownership - what he and his business partner Eric Rand expected, what surprised them, and how they’ve evolved their roles over the last decade. From revitalizing an aging facility to navigating staffing, financial challenges, and industry trends, this conversation is a must-listen for any aspiring club owner or racquets professional looking to take the next step in their career. By the end of this episode, you'll learn: ✅ What it takes to transition from coaching or managing programs to full-scale club ownership—and why passion, not just profit, drives long-term success ✅ The behind-the-scenes realities of club ownership, including financial surprises, leadership dynamics, and the challenge of balancing work-life commitments ✅ Proven strategies for retaining top coaching talent in an industry where turnover is high, and why a strong staff culture matters ✅ How successful club owners approach renovations, facility upgrades, and program shifts to create a modern, financially sustainable business ✅ Why racquet sports are evolving beyond traditional tennis, and how clubs are integrating emerging sports like Padel and Pickleball ✅ The biggest lessons learned from experienced club owners—including why hard work, trust, and adaptability are essential for success Thinking about club ownership? Elliott offers valuable advice for those considering the leap. If you’re on the path to leading a club, this episode provides real insights from an owner who's lived it. Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

What does it take to lead 22 clubs, manage 250 pros, and grow the game of tennis across the country? In this episode, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Mike Woody, Vice President and National Director of Tennis at Genesis Health Clubs, to dive into his remarkable leadership journey. From his early days as a tennis instructor to becoming a key industry leader, Mike shares powerful lessons on growth, relationships, and navigating challenges in the racquet sports world. By the end of this episode you'll know: ✅ How Mike transitioned from aspiring nurse to a lifelong career in tennis ✅ The biggest leadership lesson he learned (from a mistake that cost him $20K!) ✅ How he scaled from managing one club to overseeing 22 clubs & 250 pros ✅ The importance of building relationships in leadership and career growth ✅ Why focusing on the right priorities (instead of busy work) is crucial for success ✅ How to continuously evolve and invest in personal development Whether you’re a coach, club manager, or looking to grow in the sports industry, this episode is packed with game-changing leadership insights you won’t want to miss! Recommended Leadership Books : Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran 10X Rule by Grant Cardone Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the racquet sports industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

If we have a shortage of pros and an abundance of positions in the racquets industry, why must you make your resume stand out? The reason is because the employer is still seeking the best person for the position. In this episode of Racquet Fuel , Kim Bastable and Simon Gale give their opinion on how you can make the best first impression - one that will almost guarantee getting you to the top of the interview pile. They share tips and insights on highlighting your achievements, how to effectively communication your qualifications to potential employers, how to discuss compensation (or not), and the dos and donts for recorded video interviews. By the end of this episode you'll know : - How to make a good first impression before an interview - Ways to make cover letters stand out - The difference in achievements and tasks in your job history - How long a resume should be - Professional ways to address compensation - Dos and donts for video submissions ... and the secret to get to the TOP of Simon Gale's interview pile. Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the racquet sports industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this episode of Racquet Fuel , Kim Bastable and Simon Gale tackle one of the most critical yet nuanced aspects of leadership: communication. From creating role clarity to fostering open dialogue, Kim and Simon share practical strategies for improving team communication and empowerment. With alarming Gallup data showing that half of American workers feel unclear about their job expectations, they emphasize why leaders must prioritize transparency and structure in their communication practices. They give tips on the importance of onboarding, setting clear expectations, handling sensitive conversations, and why true communication requires more than just "open-door" policies. This episode is FULL of actionable insights. Episode Highlights - A leader's role in communication is crucial. - Only half of American workers feel understood by their employers. - Communication is a two-way street, not just talking. - Clarity in roles and responsibilities empowers employees. -Handling sensitive communication requires transparency. -Written communication is often overlooked but essential. - Meetings should have clear agendas and actionable items. - Over-communication can be beneficial in leadership. Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this episode of the Racquet Fuel Podcast, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale have an engaging conversation with Mike Barrell about the evolution of racquet sports, particularly the impact of pickleball and padel on traditional tennis. Mike brings over 20 years of experience in the tennis industry, sharing his unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by these complementary sports. 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. Episode Highlights: 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 Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this episode of the Racquet Fuel Podcast, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Butch Staples to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the tennis industry today: staff retention and development. Butch brings decades of experience as a coach and leader, sharing his perspective on how we can better support and develop our teams to keep talented young pros in the industry. They explore the fears that hold many leaders back from investing in staff development and how shifting our mindset can create thriving work environments. Butch emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships and empowering staff—even if it means they eventually move on. The conversation highlights the difference between transaction-based management and relationship-based leadership, focusing on creating cultures where young pros want to stay, grow, and succeed. Episode Highlights: Why investing in your staff is the best decision, even if they might leave. How relationships, not money or perks, are the key to retaining talent. The role of leadership in empowering staff and creating a culture of growth. Why the only thing worse than training your staff and having them leave is not training them and having them stay. Practical steps for creating an environment where young pros want to build their careers. Resource mentioned: Primed to Perform (a book about building high performing cultures through motivation) Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In Part 2 of our Hiring series, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Michael DiRaimondo on the Racquet Fuel Podcast to tackle the complexities of hiring international tennis professionals. Michael, a Certified Tennis Pro, Club Owner, and Immigration Lawyer, brings his deep expertise to the conversation. They discuss the challenges of hiring international applicants, who are often highly desired and needed in the industry, yet face a difficult and expensive immigration process. If you're interested in navigating alternative visa statuses and bringing talented international pros to your club, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Episode Highlights: Pain points managers and club owners have for hiring pros - local and International Different types of visas for foreigners A pathway to permanent residency for a sports professional Pain points due to congressional changes Powerful advice for college students looking for permanent residency How to find the right Immigration lawyer Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this episode of the Racquet Fuel Podcast, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale discuss the similarities and differences between golf and tennis, particularly in terms of the work realities of golf pros and tennis pros. They are joined by Anthony Vitale: Director and Coach of Athlete Development for the PGA of America. He shares his background and role at the PGA before they discuss the difference between touring pros and teaching pros, the changing workweek culture in golf, the certification process for becoming a PGA member, and the compensation model for golf professionals. They also explore the importance of social connections and human relationships in both golf and tennis. Episode Highlights: How we can develop our athletes through supporting our coaches What shift has the PGA made for a better work/life balance for pros Comparing the career pathway for Golf Pros and Tennis Pros How does the golf compensation model work, and what is the structure of it When you emphasize HUMAN CONNECTION, what happens? Upcoming event: November 4th at 7pm EDT Virtual Director of Racquet Sports Club: Part of the event is free-form networking with other industry professionals, and the other part is an educational discussion with guest speaker, Lew Sherr. Sign up HERE to receive login instructions Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this episode of Racquet Fuel , host Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Dave Konecky, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at the USTA, to explore the challenges and emerging trends in hiring leadership roles within the tennis industry. Together, they explore the industry's talent shortage, the significance of cultural fit, and the power of behavioral questions during interviews. They also discuss best practices for onboarding new hires and clarify the distinction between W2 employees and independent contractors (1099). Throughout the conversation, Dave emphasizes trusting your instincts, the value of virtual interviews, and assessing candidates on the court. Episode Highlights: Strategies for addressing the talent shortage in the tennis industry and fostering growth within your current team. Defining cultural fit and how to find it in potential hires. Behavioral interview questions that help predict future performance. The critical role of onboarding after a new hire. Navigating the difficult process of letting an employee go. Benefits of hiring tennis pros as W2 employees versus independent contractors. Resources noted in conversation: Tim Elmore: Generational Divides ONE and TWO Book: A New Kind of Diversity by Tim Elmore Upcoming event: November 4th at 7pm EDT Virtual Director of Racquet Sports Club: Part of the event is free-form networking with other industry professionals, and the other part is an educational discussion with guest speaker, Lew Sherr. Sign up HERE to receive login instructions Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale interview Jo Wallen, the General Manager of the National Campus at USTA, about her journey to leadership. They discuss the importance of learning from others and the path to leadership. Jo shares her story of starting in tennis at a young age, transitioning from playing on the Pro Tour to coaching and club management, and eventually landing her current role at USTA. They also discuss the challenges of transitioning from an individual sport to a team environment and the importance of humility and surrounding oneself with a strong team. The conversation highlights the need for continuous learning, problem-solving skills, and the ability to navigate complex organizations. Episode Highlights Why continuous learning is essential for growth and success in leadership roles What you need when transitioning from an individual sport to a team environment How problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex organizations are crucial for effective leadership What listening to others and valuing their opinions can do to an organization How to measure success in leadership Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale discuss the critical role of communication in leadership. They share the alarming statistics regarding employee understanding of expectations and the importance of clarity and empowerment in communication. The conversation covers handling sensitive topics, the significance of written communication, effective meeting strategies, and the necessity of clear task deadlines. They emphasize the need for transparency and the balance between personal and professional communication, ultimately highlighting that effective communication is essential for successful leadership. "Coasting" is not an option in leadership and life happens, which adds to the challenge. Episode highlights: Why a leader's role in communication is crucial to company and team success How clarity in roles and responsibilities empowers employees Who should prioritize self-care and why What it means to adapt as a leader in racquets When over-communication can be beneficial in leadership Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more!…

In this re-run episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale continue their conversation with Dr. Tim Elmore; a thought leader, author, and researcher, founder of the non-profit Growing Leaders. Elmore shares about the social media battle between generations that brought him to write his newest book, “A New Kind of Diversity.” Simon and Kim provide Tim with some racquets-industry challenges regarding age diversity in the workplace, and Tim gives tangible tools and tactics we can all use to inspire team cultures and motivate workers from all generations. The episode wraps up a two-part series that offers insights for directors and managers faced with the need to bridge the gap between generations. Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more! (Original air date: June 7, 2023)…

In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale speak with Dr. Tim Elmore: a thought leader, author, and founder of the non-profit, Growing Leaders. Elmore shares about the social media battle between generations that brought him to write his newest book, “A New Kind of Diversity." He discusses the generational gap of “kids these days” and where it really started, and how we need to be working together to collaborate instead of collide. Further, Elmore gives advice on how we, as leaders, can be better and bridging the gap by following the “A LEG we need to stand on” acronym. The episode kicks off a two-part series on developing leaders in the racquets industry and offers insights for directors and managers seeking to bridge the gap between generations. Looking to become a more confident, competent, and clear business leader with a lifelong career in the industry? Become a Certified Director of Racquet Sports. Visit our website to learn more! (Original Air Date: May 31st, 2023)…