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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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Designing Tennis for the Modern Family: Innovation, Adaptation & Urban Growth — with Anthony Evrard
Episode 3
Thursday, 26 February, 2026
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-generational racquet concept backed by strategic partners including Babolat and USTA Ventures.This conversation matters for anyone building programs, launching facilities, or trying to grow the game in non-traditional markets. Whether you lead a private club, public facility, or are dreaming up your own concept, you’ll come away with practical insight on carving out a niche and staying adaptable.What You’ll LearnWhy competing for families’ time, not other clubs, changes your programming strategyHow “learn here, play anywhere” creates clarity in junior pathway developmentWhy niche specialization often beats trying to serve every segmentThe power of listening and responding quickly to your communityHow engaging the entire family strengthens retention and growthWhy letting players move on can actually build long-term loyaltyWhat it means to run your business like a “living Google document”Resources & MentionsCourt 16 — Urban, family-focused tennis clubs founded in BrooklynUSTA Ventures (Court 16) — Growth-focused investment arm of USTAHosts:Kim Bastable — UF Director of Racquet Sports EducationSimon Gale — USTA Leader & Facility Executive Guest:Anthony Evrard — Court 16 Co-Founder and CEO Learn More & Get CertifiedRacquet 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 — Personal Brand Management, Operations & Programming, and Leadership & Finance — 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 2Course 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 off Inquiries:Contact UFDORS@hhp.ufl.edu
