By Andrew Minnelli, Associate
At GSI Executive Search, we understand that the key to successful club operations lies beyond the talents and work of seasoned General Managers and Clubhouse Managers — it’s all about the team that is built around them.
One of the unforeseen consequences of the COVID pandemic was a growing and now unrelenting desire to get outside! In the years that followed, we’ve seen spikes in activity in National Parks, golf courses and racquets facilities. Court sports have boomed in participation across the United States. Tennis has grown to over 24 million players. For four years in a row, Pickleball has been crowned the fastest-growing sport in America with an estimated 48 million players. Hot on its heels is Padel, an internationally booming sport that is seeing its first waves of enthusiasm in the US. Many private clubs house two or three of these sports, and it’s only a matter of time until a third is added to complete the menu.
With the growing popularity of court sports, more private club members are gravitating toward racquets amenities. Prospective members are increasingly seeking clubs with well-rounded, active racquets programming. This marks a significant shift from the past, making it even more crucial to ensure that your racquets and court sports leaders possess the right skills, personality and character to align with both your senior staff and your membership’s short- and long-term goals. Filling the role of a Racquets Professional is now just as vital as selecting the right General Manager, especially if you are concerned with staying relevant.
Filling the role of a Racquets Professional is now just as vital as selecting the right General Manager, especially if you are concerned with staying relevant.
GSI Executive Search has a well-earned reputation for being one of the original experts in placing Directors of Tennis at elite private clubs nationwide. As the industry evolved, Director of Tennis roles morphed into Director of Racquet Sports and Court Sports roles. GSI has evolved alongside these trends and continues to be uniquely positioned to answer the demand for the community. We have also been proud to serve the leading national racquets associations in their searches for CEOs and Executive Directors.
Here is what a partner of GSI, Jennifer Di Francesco, Toscana Country Club's Director of Sports Club and Spa Bella Vita, said: “The experience our country club had with GSI recruitment was stellar. We had been struggling with our Courts Director placement and finally decided to employ a professional who knew the outreach to ensure this position was filled appropriately. It has been such a relief and pleasure to see that this missing piece was procured so perfectly. Andrew Minnelli took this placement under his wing and took the time to learn what we needed and then used his connective web to work every step from interviewing to placement with precision.”
With court sports becoming a core part of club life, the demand for top-tier racquets and court sports professionals has never been higher. Ensuring the right fit for these roles is just as critical as selecting the right General Manager—because a strong leader in this space can impact membership satisfaction, retention and the overall vibrancy of your club, elevating member experiences and driving long-term success.
GSI Executive Search is committed to finding the best professionals to lead your racquets and court sports programs, whether it’s for your next Director search or for consulting your needs, including compensation restructuring, strategic planning, capital and budget management and program analysis.
For more information on how we can assist you in racquets and court sports at your club, please contact Andrew Minnelli, Racquet Sports Associate at andrew@gsiexecutivesearch.com. Together, in partnership, we will take your club to new heights, and we’ll have fun doing it.
