Building a Sustainable Tennis Business: Lessons from Australia’s Victorian Tennis Academy - Tina Keown & Jack Glennane

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 teamsHow creating a clear career pathway can turn coaching jobs into long-term professionsWhy the tennis industry often loses coaches to other industries—not competing clubsHow owner-operators can balance day-to-day operations with long-term leadershipThe importance of empowering staff with ownership and leadership opportunitiesWhy investing in professional development and education helps retain great coachesHow diverse programming—from court hire to adult leagues—creates a more sustainable business modelResources & Mentions:Victorian Tennis Academy — Multi-location tennis academy based in Melbourne, AustraliaTennis Australia  — Learn more about what Australia has to offer for the racquet sports worldHosts:Kim Bastable — UF Director of Racquet Sports EducationSimon Gale — USTA Leader & Facility ExecutiveGuests:Tina Keown — Director, Victorian Tennis AcademyJack Glennane — Director, Victorian Tennis AcademyLearn 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 offCourse 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 offInquiries:Contact: [email protected]