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 introduce her children to the sport. Despite her interest, confusing program descriptions, unclear skill levels, membership requirements, and a difficult registration process ultimately caused her to walk away.

Her experience offers racquet sports leaders a rare look at the customers they often never hear from: those who are interested in playing but leave before ever stepping onto the court. From simplifying industry jargon and improving facility websites to offering free assessments and shorter beginner commitments, the conversation reveals how seemingly small points of friction can become significant barriers to participation.

This episode is essential listening for any director, coach, or facility leader responsible for attracting and retaining new players. As Simon points out, a club’s biggest competition may not be another tennis facility, but rather, it may be the sports and activities that are simply easier for families to understand, access, and join.

What You’ll Learn:

•  Why confusing websites and registration systems can cause potential players to give up before ever reaching the court 
•  How industry language like red, orange, green, and yellow ball can overwhelm parents who are new to tennis 
•  Why age-based pathways don’t always provide clear answers for older beginners entering the sport 
•  How a free 30-minute assessment can give families the confidence and clarity they need to get started 
•  Why parents increasingly expect registration to be simple, immediate, and available online 
•  How clearly communicating what to wear, bring, and expect can reduce anxiety for first-time families 
•  Why shorter introductory sessions may make tennis feel more approachable than a long-term commitment 
•  How AI and online search are changing the way parents discover and evaluate local racquet sports programs 
•  Why racquet sports leaders need to think about the customers who disappear without ever telling them why

Resources & Mentions:

Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller — Covers the importance of removing industry jargon and communicating in language customers can immediately understand.

Red, Orange, Green, Yellow (ROGY) Pathway — Tennis development pathway discussed throughout the episode and the challenges it can create for parents unfamiliar with the sport.

Hosts:

Kim Bastable — Professor of Practice and UF Director of Racquet Sports Management
Simon Gale — USTA Senior Director of Racquet Sports Development

Learn 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 1
Course 2: Leadership, Management & Finance — UF DORS

       - Course 1 completion is required for course 2

Discount Code:

Course 1: Facilities, Operations, Marketing & More: Use code “RF100” for $100 off

Inquiries:
Contact: UFDORS@.ufl.edu