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Racquet FuelRacquet Fuel provides insights into the best practices and innovations of racquets industry business leaders. Author: 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. Language: en Genres: Education, Sports, Tennis Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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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
Episode 6
Thursday, 30 April, 2026
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 growth plans that start on day one, Holly shares how Chick-fil-A transforms part-time employees into future leaders through clear systems, personal investment, and purpose-driven leadership. Her insights offer a unique perspective for racquet sports directors, facility managers, and business owners seeking to improve staff retention, customer experience, and leadership development within their own organizations. This conversation matters for anyone building teams, managing people, or trying to create exceptional customer experiences. Whether you lead a club, operate a facility, or manage a growing business, you’ll gain practical strategies for developing talent, retaining staff, and building a service-first culture. What You’ll Learn: Why hiring for character, humility, and soft skills often matters more than experience How structured career pathways improve retention and long-term employee growth Why leadership development should begin at orientation, not promotion How lateral growth opportunities can keep team members engaged without burnout The importance of promoting employees only after they’re already demonstrating leadership readiness How consistent retraining and coaching maintain elite service standards Why purpose-driven leadership helps teams make better decisions than fear-based management Resources & Mentions:Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program— Competitive operator and corporate training systemHosts:Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports DevelopmentGuest:Holly Rivera — Chick-fil-A Owner-OperatorLearn 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:Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More — UF DORS 1Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS - Course 1 completion is required for course 2Discount Code:Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 offInquiries:Contact: UFDORS@ .ufl.edu
