PODCAST · sports
Racquet Fuel
by Athlete+
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.
Episodes
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A Look Back: Building a Sustainable Tennis Business - Lessons from Australia’s Victorian Tennis Academy
What does it take to build a tennis academy where both players and coaches have room to grow? We’re taking a look back at this Racquet Fuel conversation with Tina Keown and Jack Glennane, directors of the Victorian Tennis Academy, to revisit the leadership choices behind a thriving, people-first...
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From Coach to Director: Preparing for Leadership in Racquet Sports
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...
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From Click to Court: Making Tennis Easier to Join from a Parent's Perspective
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...
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Taking a Look Back: Is Tennis Endangered by the Rise of Pickleball and Padel? - Featuring Mike Barrell
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…
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What Can Racquet Sports Leaders Learn from Gen Z? Bridging the Gap Between Today's Directors and Tomorrow's Leaders
What if the key to attracting and retaining the next generation of racquet sports professionals is simply listening to them? In this episode of Racquet Fuel, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale turn the microphone over to the next generation of racquet sports professionals. Joining them are…
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Building Human Connection Through Pickleball, Hospitality, and Community - with Chicken N Pickle President Kelli Alldredge
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…
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Leadership, Hospitality, and Career Pathways: What Racquet Sports Leaders Can Learn from Chick-fil-A’s People-First Success Model - with Holly Rivera
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...
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Storytelling, Strategy, and the Future of Racquet Sports - with Ben Nichols
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…
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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…
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Designing Tennis for the Modern Family: Innovation, Adaptation & Urban Growth — with Anthony Evrard
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...
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Building the Right Fit: Hiring, Leadership & Balance in Modern Racquet Clubs — with Andrew Minnelli
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...
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Building the Next 100 Years of Racquet Sports Leadership - with Brian Dillman
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...
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From Grand Slams to Giving Back: Gigi Fernandez on Leadership, Legacy, and Building Tennis for Hope
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…
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Leading Gen Z: Shaping the Future of Work with Tim Elmore
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,...
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Pickleball & Padel Growth with Industry Pioneer David Johnson
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…
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Business Standards with Consultants Ajay Pant and Doug Cash
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...
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Coaching the Coaches: How USTA Is Powering Tennis Growth Nationwide
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.…
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The Mindset of Leadership: How Reflection, Mentorship, and Emotional Intelligence Drive Growth with Dr. Larry Lauer
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...
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Building Your Coach Pipeline: How to Launch a Coach-in-Training Program
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...
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Build Better Players, Build a Stronger Culture: UF Coach Per Nilsson’s Playbook for College Tennis Leadership
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…
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From Top 100 Pro to Event Leader: Grace Min on Transitioning into Tennis Management
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…
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Build a “Work Hard, Be Kind” Culture: How Fitness CEO Jon Rowley Scaled Community, Kept Talent, and Stayed on the Floor
From four clients in a garage to a 15,000-sq-ft hub with 500+ members, Jon Rowley shares the playbook racquet clubs can use to grow with standards, systems, and heart. In this Racquet Fuel episode, hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale sit down with Jon Rowley, founder and “Chief Exercise Officer” of…
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The 95-Million-Ball Lesson: What Teaching Tennis Teaches You About Life with Greg Moran
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...
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Coach Your People, Not Just the Program - with Emma Doyle
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...
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How RacquetX Is Reimagining the Racquet Sports Industry - with Robyn Duda
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…
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Padel is Coming - Is Your Club Ready? with Eric Loftus
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...
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Resumes and Racquet Sports - Rerun
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…
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The First Step After Resignation: Reimagine, Don’t React
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...
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What Young Professionals Need from Racquets Leadership - with Kyle Pipkin
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…
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Leading People, Not Lessons: The Real Work of a Racquets Director
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…
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Building More Than Courts: Developing People, Systems, and Sustainability - with Ajay Pant
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…
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Lights, Camera, Racquets: The Art of Reinvention with Bryan Fox
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...
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Revitalizing Tennis Communities: A Conversation with Mary Buschmann
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...
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How AI is Changing the Game: A Conversation with Kim Bastable & Simon Gale
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…
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Owning a Club: The Realities, Challenges, and Wins with Elliott McDermed
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...
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Leadership is About Learning - featuring Mike Woody
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....
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Resumes and Racquet Sports: How to Get the Interview
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…
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Communication at Work
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...
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Is Tennis Endangered, with the Rise of Pickleball and Padel? - featuring Mike Barrell
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,...
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Risk Losing Talent or Embrace Staff Growth - with Butch Staples
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...
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Immigration Law and Tennis - with Michael DiRaimando
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...
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Golf and Tennis - with Anthony Vitale
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...
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Hire and Fire with Intentionality - featuring USTA's David Konecky
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...
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No Fear Leadership - Lessons from Jo Wallen
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…
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Delegation, Adaptability, and Communication in Leadership
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…
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Generational Divides - rerun Tim Elmore Part 2
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...
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Generational Divides - Tim Elmore Rerun Part 1
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...
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Being Teachable - Chris Gale Rerun Part 2
In this episode of Racquet Fuel, which originally aired July 21st, 2023 - hosts Kim Bastable and Simon Gale continue the conversation with Chris Gale for the second part of the Gale brothers story. They discuss various broad topics such Prince Woodie, Ash Barty's cricket game and first jobs. They...
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Being Teachable - Chris Gale, Rerun Part 1
In this episode of Racquet Fuel, which originally aired July 14th, 2023, hosts Kim Bastable speaks with brothers Simon and Chris Gale. Originally from Perth, Australia they both have a unique pathway to becoming a Director of Racquet Sports: Chris at the River Oaks Country Club and Simon at the...
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Lessons in Adaptation, Teamwork, and Member Engagement - feat. Alejandra Suarez
In this episode, Kim Bastable re-interviews Alejandra Suarez, one of the owners of North Texas Racquet Club, to discuss the leadership successes and challenges they have faced in their first summer of operation. They cover topics such as guided open play, organizing events, dealing with weather...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Athlete+
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Racquet Fuel have?
Racquet Fuel currently has 77 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Racquet Fuel about?
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...
How often does Racquet Fuel release new episodes?
Racquet Fuel has 77 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Racquet Fuel?
You can listen to Racquet Fuel on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Racquet Fuel?
Racquet Fuel is created and hosted by Athlete+.
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