Racquet Fuel provides insights into the best practices and innovations of racquets industry business leaders.
Co-hosts Kim Bastable, Director of Professional Tennis Management at the University of Florida, and Simon Gale, Senior Director Racquet Sports Development at the USTA National Campus, help racquets leaders in your ability to grow the game and to improve the experiences you offer to both your staff and players by talking to industry leaders, including USTA executives, authors and innovators. If you are on a career path in racquet sports or already a racquets business leader and you want to stay up to date on ideas and innovations in racquets industry business and leadership, this podcast is for you.
Presented by the Athlete+ Podcast Network at the University of Florida Institute for Coaching Excellence.
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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 th...
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 gro...
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 b...
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 ...
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-generat...
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...
What if the future of racquet sports leadership depends less on titles and more on advocacy, early identification, and building a profession people are proud to choose? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Brian Dillman, CEO of the Racquet Sports Professionals Association (RSPA), to unpack one of the most significant leadership transformations in the industry. Brian shares the thinking behind the transition from United States Professional Tennis Assoc...
What happens when a Hall of Fame career ends and the real leadership work begins? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Gigi Fernandez, Hall of Fame tennis player, Olympic gold medalist, and founder of Tennis for Hope, to explore what leadership looks like after elite performance. Gigi shares her honest transition from individual excellence to collaborative leadership, including lessons learned running major programs like Chelsea Piers and launching a ...
What’s Really Going On with Gen Z in the Workplace? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with leadership expert and author Tim Elmore to unpack the realities of Generation Z and how they’re reshaping the workforce. Tim breaks down insights from his new book, The Future Begins with Z , explaining what makes Gen Z tick — their mix of high agency, high anxiety, and a craving for authenticity. The conversation hits work-life balance, purpose-driven motivation,...
What’s Driving the Explosion of Pickleball and Padel? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale talk with industry pioneer David Johnson about the massive growth of pickleball and the rising momentum of padel in the United States. David shares his early journey co-founding Pickleball Central in 2006, what he’s learned watching the sport scale, and why participation curves are now shifting as the market matures. The conversation breaks down the real data behind growth tr...
What standards are necessary to build a successful club? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale talk with Consultants Doug Cash and Ajay Pant about the importance of standards in business, particularly in the context of tennis clubs. They explore how standards define a brand, the necessity of enforcing them, and the challenges of managing high performers who may resist compliance. The conversation also delves into the consequences of lacking standards, the process of ...
What does it take to launch a nationwide coaching initiative from the ground up, and make it thrive? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale talk with Megan Rose , Managing Director of USTA Coaching, about how she’s leading one of the most ambitious projects in U.S. tennis history. From crafting the strategy to grow coaching pathways to navigating the gray areas of leadership, Megan shares lessons on adaptability, inclusion, and redefining success when there’s no play...
What separates a good coach from a transformative leader? Mental performance expert Dr. Larry Lauer says it’s not talent or IQ—it’s reflection, self-awareness, and putting others first. In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Dr. Larry Lauer, Director of Mental Performance at the USTA National Campus and co-host of the Compete Like a Champion podcast. Known for shaping the mental toughness and mindset of America’s top junior and pro athletes, Larry bring...
If you “can’t find good pros,” this episode shows why that’s on us—and exactly how to build a repeatable Coach-in-Training (CIT) pipeline that grows talent and your business. Hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale make the case for actively inspiring the next generation of coaches—and walk through Simon’s proven CIT framework you can adapt at any club. Kim shares survey data showing only 17% of juniors had considered a racquets career and 60% hadn’t even heard of PTM programs, reinforcing why leaders...
Racquet Fuel hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Per Nilsson, head men’s tennis coach at the University of Florida, for a leadership-first conversation about college tennis. Per shares the two cornerstones of his program—deeply individualized player development and a deliberately small, connected roster—and how those choices shape culture, performance, and recruiting. He also unpacks navigating a mid-season transition at UF, why self-care makes you a better leader, and how building a...
What happens when a former top-100 player takes her competitive mindset and applies it to managing over 350 event days at the USTA National Campus? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Grace Min —a former WTA top-100 player who retired in 2024 and quickly transitioned into her role as Event Manager at the USTA National Campus. Grace shares how she’s adapted her player mindset into leadership, the surprising similarities between competing on tour and m...
Jon Rowley, founder of 2020FIT, discusses his journey from a finance career to building a highly successful fitness community. He outlines his playbook for sustainable growth, emphasizing the core values of "Work Hard, Be Kind," unique hiring practices that ensure cultural fit, and a robust staff development model focusing on horizontal learning. Rowley also shares insights into evolving as a leader, the importance of delegation, and maintaining a personal connection through "on the floor" coaching, all while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and building a supportive team and community.
What does it really take to turn a life on the court into a sustainable career in racquet sports? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, longtime tennis pro, club owner, and author Greg Moran joins hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale to unpack 40 years of experience in a single facility, and the powerful lessons that came with it. From starting as a ball boy to building one of Connecticut’s most successful clubs, Greg shares how intentional leadership, early financial planning, and a commitment to profe...
What if your greatest coaching lesson came off the court? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Emma Doyle: tennis coach, keynote speaker, and expert in emotional intelligence, to explore what it really takes to coach with impact, whether you're leading athletes, employees, or entire teams. Emma shares her remarkable journey from teenage coach in Australia to global thought leader and business coach. She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her care...
What happens when you bring together startup ambition, big-event expertise, and a deep commitment to human connection? You get RacquetX: an experience designed to connect every corner of the racquet sports industry. In this episode of Racquet Fuel, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale talk with Robyn Duda, the founder and creative mind behind RacquetX. With a background in designing global corporate events, Robyn saw a gap in the racquet sports space: no centralized experience for connection, collaborati...
What does it actually take to build a thriving racquet sports facility in today’s fast-moving market? And what’s just hype? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale are joined by Eric Loftus , an expert court builder and board member of the American Sports Builders Association. With more than 50 years in the tennis and racquet construction industry, Eric shares what he’s seeing on the ground—and where the court construction world is headed next. They explore the real e...
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 effectivel...
What happens when a key person on your team tells you they’re leaving—and you're the one who has to figure out what comes next? In this episode of the Racquet Fuel Podcast, Kim Bastable and Simon Gale explore the emotional and operational challenges that come with losing top talent. Simon shares his real-time experience managing the departure of a trusted team leader and walks through the decisions, reflections, and strategies he's using to guide his team through a critical transition. From the ...
What does it take to thrive as a young professional in the racquet sports industry, and how can today’s leaders support that journey? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Kyle Pipkin, a recent graduate of Hope College’s Racquet Sports Management program, to explore the early-career experiences shaping the future of tennis leadership. From internships and on-court grind to conferences and career crossroads, Kyle offers a refreshingly honest perspective...
What does it take to land your first Director of Racquet Sports job - and lead with confidence once you do? In this episode of Racquet Fuel , hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Michael Pereira, who shares his honest, inspiring journey from teaching pro to facility leader. Michael walks us through the hard truths of chasing your first director role - from 23 job rejections to launching his own business managing a city tennis center. Along the way, he shares how earning his Director o...
What does it take to leave a successful career in club leadership and launch into consulting? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with longtime industry leader Ajay Pant to explore his recent transition into the world of racquet sports consulting. Ajay shares what prompted the shift, how his consulting practice works, and what clubs should know before bringing in a consultant. From system gaps and professional development needs to the future of industry le...
How does someone go from directing films in Hollywood to directing racquet sports at a country club? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Bryan Fox, Director of Racquet Sports at Lakeshore Country Club, to explore his fascinating journey from the entertainment industry to the world of tennis. Bryan shares what pulled him away from Hollywood and into racquet sports, how his background in storytelling and performance fuels his creativity as a director, a...
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...
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...
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 t...
