USTA Racquet Sports Management Apprenticeship
Experience the business of racquet sports with the best in the industry and grow your career
Program at a glance:
Earn and Learn: Paid Apprenticeship - $75,000 per year with benefits
Opportunity to complete all four distinctions of Level 3 certification (director of racquet sports, junior tennis, adult tennis, high-performance)
20 hours a week of on court leadership development
15-20 hours per week in the classroom
Succeed in the Racquet Sports Industry through Practical Application
The USTA’s Racquet Sports Management Apprenticeship is a two-year transformational and immersive experience. Taking place at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida, the program provides the opportunity to develop essential skills for a career as a racquet sports leader. The exposure to industry experts, world class facilities, the nation’s most comprehensive programming, and a full schedule of events will allow you to have a well-rounded experience. Yet, on top of all that, you will experience a university-like apprenticeship with expert and renowned faculty as you hone business-specific skills for the racquet sports industry.
Combining theory and practice, you’ll complete a comprehensive academic schedule combined with on-court training with a cohort of peers that 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. After a comprehensive onboarding process, you will complete three semesters, each one ending with a project that will be developed through coursework. After that, students will complete three elective projects from a list of twelve options. Finally, the entire experience will finish with a digital portfolio to prepare candidates for placement as a racquet sports leader.
After two years, you will:
- Be a polished professional racquet sports leader.
- Receive a certificate of completion for Level 3 Director of Racquet Sports, recognized by the USPTA or PTR.
- Have the opportunity to receive three other designations at Level 3 (Junior, Adult, High Performance).
- Become a member of the USTA Coach Developer Academy, which grants you the ability to host USTA workshops and helps you develop your staff.
- Receive assistance with job placement and transitioning into an impactful leadership role.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
January 2025 Cohort: Apply by August 30, 2024
Fall of 2025 Cohort: Apply in early 2025 (coming soon!)
Ready to get started?
Want more information regarding the Apprenticeship Program? Watch here!
Course of Study Overview
Candidates will spend three months getting used to the size and scope of working at the USTA National Campus. They will work with USTA leadership, the Director of the RSMA, Directors of Racquet Sports, and Head Tennis Professionals of the following programs: Junior Tennis, High-Performance, Adult Tennis, Pickleball, and Padel.
Future leaders will take four courses to develop a comprehensive view of the racquet sports industry. These courses will finalize with a project to develop a mission, philosophy, core values, and developmental pathways for tennis and two other complementary racquet sports. This project is the first of three core projects that will help to finalize your business plan.
This unit of four courses will delve specifically into the financial management aspects required of leaders in the racquet sports industry. Covering budgeting, marketing, brand management, and technology, it culminates with a project to create a marketing plan for a facility.
Here is where the magic happens as candidates complete all coursework and develop a final business plan. These four courses primarily cover people management, culture, and leadership skills.
These projects will allow future leaders to learn more about a specific space based on their needs. Students will be able to choose three from a myriad of topics that align with their interests. After, students will engage in the compilation of evidence to produce a portfolio that can be sent to prospective employers.
Admission Requirements
The USTA will admit eight apprentices in January 2025, and eight more in the fall of 2025. Admittance will be based on each candidate's experience. Ideally, a suitable candidate will have been in the racquet sports industry for at least five years, with some experience in a supervisory role. Each applicant will be screened and, if successful, will be invited to the USTA National Campus for an in-person interview including on-court lesson delivery.
Who should apply?
Ideal candidates should have 5+ years of racquet sports experience, with supervisory experience preferred. However, if you have experience and feel passionate about becoming a leader in racquet sports but don't quite meet these qualifications, we still encourage you to apply!
What will you need to apply?
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Resume or CV
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A letter of recommendation from a racquet sports leader
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3-5 minute video presentation to explain why you are an ideal candidate
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Fill out the application
Learn more about the program in this Q&A with the program leaders, Jason Allen, Ed.D. and Simon Gale.
Join us for a live webinar to learn more about the program
July 17 at 3pm
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