USTA

USTA to offer Racquet Sports Management Apprenticeship Program

Jul 08, 2024

The USTA recently announced the first-ever Racquet Sports Management Apprenticeship (RSMA) program, which will be launched in January 2025 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla. The two-year apprenticeship is designed to cultivate up-and-coming tennis coaches aspiring to excel in racquet sports management. Unlike the Professional Tennis Management (PTM) and USTA Fellowship programs, which focus on entering the industry, the RSMA program prepares participants to oversee and lead racquet sports facilities.

The program addresses a recent decline in qualified applicants for leadership positions in the tennis and racquet sports industries. Many teaching pros feel stuck in their career paths and need more skills to advance to high-level roles, often causing them to leave the field. The RSMA program aims to supply the industry with new, passionate leaders, equipped with the necessary business and leadership skills to help grow their respective sports in a variety of roles and workplaces around the country.

"We are excited to bring this new and unique program to the USTA National Campus,” said Simon Gale, Sr. Director, Racquet Sports Development. “Its success will help to continue the growth of racquet sports throughout the country by infusing it with leaders equipped for success."

Combining theory and practice, individuals will complete a comprehensive academic schedule combined with on-court training alongside peers who have similar industry backgrounds. Classes will focus on the business-specific aspects of racquet sports, such as financial management, marketing, branding, leadership, culture building, and more.

Participants in the RSMA program will:

Complete an intensive introduction to working at the USTA National Campus.
Spend 20 hours a week on-court and 15-20 hours in the classroom.
Complete 12 courses.
Complete projects to learn more about business-specific industry segments.
Develop a portfolio, which can be sent to prospective employers.
Be prepared to excel as Racquet Sports leaders.
Receive assistance in job placement.

Eight apprentices will be admitted to the program in January 2025, with an additional eight starting in the fall of 2025. Ideal participants will typically have at least five years of experience in the racquet sports industry, with some experience in a supervisory role.

Learn more information about the program at USTA's dedicated page for the program on their website.